Senegal

Senegal needs to act beyond performative acceptance of recommendations on digital rights and ensure adequate protection of these rights.

Senegal is a West African country with a population of 17.7 million. Its 2001 Constitution provides for various human rights including the right to freedom of expression, privacy, association, assembly and many others. The Senegalese enjoy a relatively independent and diverse media and free speech, but restrictions and legal threats remain an obstacle. Digital rights protection faces a number of challenges in that some of the laws in force infringe on press freedom and digital rights. These laws include provisions of Article 5 and 192 of the Press Code; Articles 254, 255, and 258 of the Penal Code; and article 28 of the draft Electronic Communications Code. These challenges are also accentuated by inadequate implementation of Law No. 2008-12 of 25 January 2008 on data protection. In addition to this, journalists and voices critical of the government face arrests.

  • Households icon

    8%

    Households with internet access in 2018

  • Households icon

    43%

    Individuals using internet in 2020

  • Households icon

    1

    Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2020

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    73/180

    Press Freedom Ranking in 2022

Upr cycle

Senegal was last reviewed in November 2023.

Digital Rights and Free Expression Recommendations

Cycle 1
11
Cycle 2
05
Cycle 3
08
Cycle 4

Resources

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      Partner organisations

      Over a hundred local and international human rights organisations are part of the wider Uproar programme. You can find them listed here.