NGO ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN SENEGAL:

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 001586

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, DRL/PHD, INR/AA AND AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2011
TAGS: PHUM PGOV SG
SUBJECT: NGO ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN SENEGAL:
TEETERING ON THE EDGE OF A CLIFF

REF: A. 05 DAKAR 03208


B. DAKAR 01205

Classified By: Ambassador Janice L. Jacobs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
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1. (C) NGOs describe Senegal as being at one of the most
vulnerable points in its post-independence history in terms
of fundamental freedoms of expression, movement and
association. RADDHO, a prominent local human rights
organization, points to judicial independence as the key
issue facing Senegal today. Civil society is increasingly
determined to hold onto individual rights. END SUMMARY.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S PERSPECTIVE
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2. (C) Local Amnesty International Director Demba Cire
Bathily said the "most vicious" aspect of human rights
violations now is the fact that government officials are
using state apparatus to serve the interests of the ruling
party. For example, Bathily said his telephone and those of
people viewed by PDS members as opposing the party's policies
are now regularly tapped. He also told us the Government
threatens him with tax audits, and he has been receiving
warnings from unidentified "third parties." All requests by
non-PDS groups to hold public demonstrations are now
systematically denied. The GOS monopolizes the media. For
example, state-run television broadcasts repeated images of
President Wade throughout the day.


3. (C) According to Bathily, the Government also tried to
prevent distribution of Amnesty's human rights report this
year. Apparently, the GOS was concerned about Amnesty's
listing in its report of works the GOS has forbidden
Senegal's book stores from selling. One example of this was
the most recent book by Abdou Latif Coulibaly, in which he
described Wade as the mastermind behind the murder of a judge
(Ref A). A movie based on that book was also banned. If the
Customs Office permits any works opposed by the Government to
enter the market, the GOS orders the works seized. Bathily
reports censuring is now so systematic that printing
companies refuse to publish any work they believe has been
banned. He warned "Senegal has never been on such a
dangerous cliff, threatening to fall."

RADDHO'S VIEW
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4. (C) Alioune Tine, Director of RADDHO, a prominent local
human rights organization, largely shares Bathily's
assessment. He thinks, however, that the worst human rights
problem today is lack of judicial independence. Tine
described the GOS as flagrantly manipulating the legal system
to have opponents arrested and to have its judges issue
rulings against them (or to lessen/drop charges when
politically expedient). He complained that there are still
many dictatorships throughout Africa, but "the West no longer
reacts to serious human rights violations." Echoing a
growing sentiment, Tine recommended that Senegal should have
a strong National Assembly, a ceremonial President, and an
independent judiciary.

COMMENT
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5. (C) Outside observers often point to Senegal as a model
for Africa in its protection of basic human rights, leading
to a proliferation of political parties, a vibrant media, an
active civil society and religious tolerance. We believe
this is generally true, but the message is lost on Senegal's
NGOs. Tine has told us he regularly meets with President
Wade and directly expresses his concerns. Bathily admitted
that human rights violations occurred in the past --
particularly in the approach to the elections that took place
in 2000 -- but what is different he now charges, is that
people are determined to hold onto their rights at any cost.
While it may create the potential for political violence, it
is also a testament to the fact that the concept of human
rights has deep roots in Senegal. END COMMENT.
JACOBS