The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Alice Jill Edwards, will undertake an official visit to Senegal from February 3 to 14. The visit aims to assess Senegal’s efforts in preventing and addressing torture and other inhumane treatment, with a particular focus on the justice system, law enforcement practices, and conditions within detention facilities.
During her visit, Edwards will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the Government, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies such as the police and gendarmerie, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and survivors of torture. A key aspect of her mission will involve visiting places of deprivation of liberty, where she will evaluate detention conditions and conduct interviews with detainees.
A central focus of Edwards’ assessment will be the use of force and investigation practices within Senegal’s law enforcement agencies, as well as the role of the health sector in addressing and preventing torture. Additionally, she will examine the measures taken by authorities to combat female genital mutilation, a harmful practice that remains a concern in parts of the country.
The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference in Dakar on February 13 at 4:00 PM local time. The event will take place at the Regional Office for West Africa of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, located at Parcelle n°20, opposite Hôtel Azur on the route to King Fahad Palace (room Capitaine Mbaye). Attendance will be restricted to accredited journalists.
Following her visit, Edwards will compile her findings into a comprehensive report, which will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026. This report is expected to provide detailed insights into Senegal’s progress, challenges, and recommendations for strengthening human rights protections against torture and inhumane treatment.
