Français
Español
English
Italiano
Deutsch
SENEGAL: The OIAD condemns intimidation and violence against lawyers in Senegal and strongly denounces restrictions on the exercise of the profession
27 June 2023
In recent weeks, member lawyers of the Senegalese Bar Association have been prevented from meeting with their clients by the State’s defence and security forces, who have even fired tear gas at some of them. In a press release dated 17 June 2023, the Senegalese Bar Association denounced what was described as “acts totally at odds with the protection of the independence, dignity and integrity of lawyers”[1] .
The team of lawyers representing the recently convicted opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, are among the lawyers concerned. After numerous attempts to visit their client at his home, the defence and security forces denied them the right to communicate freely with him.
These incidents are part of a new wave of violence that erupted on 1st June 2023 following the conviction of opposition politician Ousmane Sonko, with renewed clashes between the police and demonstrators in several towns across Senegal.
The Observatory joins the concerns expressed by the Senegalese Bar Association and denounces any interference in the exercise of the legal profession.
The Observatory calls on the Senegalese authorities to immediately remove all obstacles to the exercise of the profession and to the free access of lawyers to their clients.
The Observatory reminds the Senegalese authorities that the independence of lawyers’ profession is one of the main indicators of democratic health and consolidation of the rule of law, in accordance with the United Nations Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990), which state that :
“Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad (…)” (Principle 16)
[1] https://www.seneplus.com/politique/le-conseil-de-lordre-exige-la-levee-immediate-de-tout-obstacle