GENEVA: The UN voiced concern Tuesday at tensions in Senegal after President Macky Sall delayed this month's presidential poll and urged swift probes into at least three deaths during protests.
"We are deeply concerned about the tense situation in Senegal," Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the United Nations rights office, told reporters in Geneva.
"Following reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against protesters and restrictions on civic space, we call on the authorities to ensure that they uphold Senegal's long-held tradition of democracy and respect for human rights," Throssell said.
She said at least three young men were killed and 266 people, including journalists, reportedly arrested across the country.
"Investigations into the killings must be prompt, thorough, and independently conducted, and those found responsible must be held to account," Throssell said.
"The authorities should also ensure due process for individuals arrested during the protests."
Throssell said the government must "unequivocally order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly".
She also voiced concern that mobile internet access in Senegal was on Tuesday suspended for the second time this month, after authorities banned a planned march against the election delay.
"It is really important to guarantee the right to access to information," Throssell said, insisting that any restrictions must be "strictly limited to what's necessary and (be) as limited as possible in time".
Senegalese authorities on Tuesday suspended mobile internet and banned a march against the delay of this month's presidential poll.
Demonstrations are subject to authorisation in Senegal, with authorities refusing to give the green light for many opposition rallies in recent years.
Access to mobile data had already been restricted eight days earlier when parliament backed Sall's decision to postpone the election.
The measure has become a common response to curb mobilisation and communication via social networks and is strongly condemned by rights activists.
Sall said he postponed the election because of disputes over the disqualification of potential candidates and over fears of a return to unrest seen in 2021 and 2023.
Unauthorised protests often descend into violent clashes. Security forces repressed demonstrations which took place on Friday.
The Aar Sunu Election (Let's protect our election) collective, which includes some 40 civil, religious and professional groups, had called for a peaceful rally in the capital Dakar on Tuesday.
The United States and the European Union have called on the government to restore the original election timetable. — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
