In December 2023, Chad adopted an amnesty law covering all offenses committed during the events of October 20, 2022, where at least 128 people lost their lives. ACAT-France criticizes this legislation, believing that it promotes impunity and goes against the government's commitments to human rights and the rule of law. Chad's National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) also expressed concerns, highlighting the lack of provisions for reparation for victims and considering this an obstruction of justice. The CNDH calls on the government to put in place reparation mechanisms and transitional justice to ease tensions. The events of October 20, 2022 were marked by violent repression by security forces against demonstrators demanding a real political change, leading to serious violations of fundamental rights.

Governance, Human Rights, Impunity

The article “Democratic decline in West Africa: Characteristics and solutions” by E. Gyimah-Boadi, published by the Kofi Annan Foundation in December 2021, analyzes the decline of democratic standards in West Africa. After notable progress in the 1990s, the region is experiencing a resurgence of authoritarianism, illustrated by attempts to extend presidential terms beyond constitutional limits and an increase in electoral violence. Internal factors include a persistent authoritarian political culture and ethnic divisions, while external factors include an international environment less favorable to democratization. Growing security challenges, such as violent extremism, exacerbate this situation. To reverse this trend, the article recommends strengthening democratic institutions, promoting citizen participation and improving governance to meet the aspirations of the populations.

Governance, Democracy, Election, Human Rights, Violence

The report entitled "Survey report on the perception of a migration policy among Senegalese civil society" was published by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation on March 7, 2024. This report presents the results of a survey conducted between January 5 and February 10, 2023 in seven regions of Senegal: Dakar, Diourbel, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Sédhiou and Thiès. The objective was to collect the opinions of civil society on national migration policy. Participants expressed concerns about migration management, highlighting a lack of consultation and participation of local stakeholders in policy-making. They also highlighted the need for a more inclusive approach, taking into account local realities and the rights of migrants. The report recommends better collaboration between authorities and civil society to develop effective migration policies that respect human rights.

Migration, Human Rights, Civil Society, Politique publique

The article "Digital Security in Niger" published in December 2021 by Agir Ensemble pour les Droits Humains (AEDH) examines the evolution of Niger's political, legal, and technological framework regarding digital matters. Since 2013, the country has organized forums on internet governance and established the National Agency for the Information Society (ANSI) in 2017, aiming to promote universal access to ICT. However, concerns have arisen about the repression of civil society, notably with the 2019-33 law on cybercrime, whose Article 31 penalizes the dissemination of data disturbing public order. This legislation has been used to target human rights defenders and journalists. Additionally, the 2020-19 law authorizes the interception of electronic communications, raising issues regarding privacy rights. Despite technological advancements, challenges remain in protecting digital rights and freedom of expression.

Security, Human Rights, Numérique, Cybercriminalité

The interview with Solange Marie Odile Mbaye Diouf, a health socio-anthropologist, discusses youth participation in promoting human rights in Senegal. She notes progress, including the establishment of structures dedicated to adolescents and increased youth involvement in decision-making processes. However, challenges remain, such as limited access to services and information, especially in rural areas, and sociocultural norms that hinder youth participation. Ms. Diouf recommends raising awareness about regional commissions and structures, encouraging youth to educate themselves on national and international texts and mechanisms, and ensuring effective implementation of laws by the state. She also calls for better organization of civil society to promote human rights.

Human Rights, Civil Society, Santé sexuelle

The article "Human Rights in Africa" features an interview with Alioune Tine, founder of Afrikajom Center, assessing the state of human rights on the continent. He highlights that the situation is particularly dire in conflict-affected countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where human rights violations are rampant and often committed with impunity, including by national and foreign military forces. Tine also criticizes the weakness of regional mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the inefficacy of national institutions in countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, where fundamental freedoms are under threat. He calls for strengthening democratic institutions, respecting constitutions, and better involvement of civil society to promote and protect human rights in Africa.

Conflict, Human Rights, Impunity

The article "The Democratic Backslide in West Africa" examines the regression of democratic processes in this region, once considered a model of democratization. It highlights the resurgence of military coups, notably in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which undermine political stability. Simultaneously, human rights violations are increasing, with heightened repression of dissenting voices, media censorship, and arbitrary detentions, eroding fundamental freedoms. The article sheds light on the formation of informal alliances among authoritarian leaders, fostering the perpetuation of anti-democratic practices. This situation echoes post-independence periods marked by chronic political instability. The author calls for a deep reflection on mechanisms for democratic consolidation to reverse this concerning trend.

Governance, Democracy, Human Rights, Coup d'État, Instabilité

The study commissioned by the Gorée Institute aims to analyze the civic space related to children's rights in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. Its main objective is to produce a barometer assessing the current situation, in order to determine the need for effective, evidence-based advocacy to influence policies, legal frameworks and practices in the protection of children's rights in these countries. The process involved several steps, including the establishment of indicators validated by the parties involved, the development of quantitative and qualitative statistical data collection tools, followed by an analysis focused on children's rights.

Human Rights, Enfant

Amnesty International’s 2023 annual report on Mauritania highlights several human rights concerns. In May, after the ruling party won legislative, regional and local elections, allegations of fraud were raised by some opposition parties. In December, former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was sentenced to five years in prison for corruption. The report denounces cases of torture and ill-treatment, including the death in police custody of human rights defender Souvi Ould Jibril Ould Cheine in February, attributed to traumatic asphyxiation by strangulation. Freedom of expression has been restricted, with mobile internet cuts in June following protests, and during national reviews to prevent cheating. The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has also highlighted the lack of thorough examination of proposals for a truth and reconciliation mechanism concerning human rights violations between 1989 and 1992.

Governance, Human Rights, Torture