The Senegal authorities introduced a blanket ban on using social media Friday, following clashes between police and supporters of opposition chief Ousmane Sonko that left 9 individuals lifeless.
In a televised press convention, Inside Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome claimed that some social media websites had been utilized by demonstrators to incite violence, together with Fb, WhatsApp and Twitter. Consequently, the federal government suspended these websites, arguing that they did so “to ensure the protection of individuals and property. We’re going to reinforce safety in all places within the nation.”
Human rights organizations like Amnesty Worldwide condemned the motion and linked it to rising police violence within the area. In a statement, they mentioned that “these restrictions on the proper to freedom of expression and knowledge represent arbitrary measures opposite to worldwide legislation, and can’t be justified by safety causes.”
Dakar, the capital, and Ziguinchor, the place Sonko acts as mayor, had been the areas of the majority of the deaths. Sonko was convicted Thursday of corrupting youth and sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment, however acquitted on rape and demise menace prices. Following the decision, the area has seen important unrest.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
