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Senegal, an independent investigation into the killings of protesters is necessary

Amnesty International has called on Senegalese authorities to immediately launch an independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of at least 23 people, including three children, during the repression of the protests on June 1st and 2nd. During the protests, security forces also injured 390 people.

The demonstrations had spontaneously erupted, particularly in Dakar, Ziguinchor, and Kaoalack, following the conviction of political opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in prison on charges of “corruption of youth.”

The investigation will also shed light on the presence of armed individuals in civilian clothing supporting the security forces, as extensively documented in filmed images. During a press conference on June 4th, the authorities denied the presence of unidentified security force members and referred to them as “hidden forces” from abroad infiltrating among the protesters.

During the days of the protests, as well as in the subsequent days, the authorities suspended access to the internet and social media platforms. The signal of the Walf Tv broadcaster was interrupted, and even the YouTube channel through which it had attempted to continue broadcasting was disrupted.

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