Honourable Chairperson, Secretary to the Commission, Commissioners, and Distinguished Delegates,
For over 37 years ARTICLE 19 has committed to promoting a world where everyone can freely express themselves and participate in public life without discrimination. We defend freedom of expression and the right to access information and advocate for embedding human rights in digital technology development. We work around the world and have 3 Africa offices in Tunisia/North Africa, Kenya/East Africa and Senegal/West Africa.
Over recent months, we have observed an alarming increase in human rights violations in the SAHEL- and West African States targeting journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and citizens who exercise their fundamental right to free expression online and offline.
Gambia:
In the Gambia, Journalist Musa Sheriff of the Voice is being prosecuted under outdated laws aimed at silencing dissent. In addition to more than 5 documented cases of judicial persecution of media. At the moment, there is a proposed cybercrime law threatening to further stifle free speech. The law’s provisions among other restrictions include criminal liability for media organisations and their leadership, potentially targeting journalists and civil society for online publications. This draft law risks being used to further stifle dissent and limit freedom of expression.
Senegal: in Senegal, There is a worrying trend of using disinformation, defamation, and press libel laws to target journalists, activists, and political figures, weaponizing these laws to suppress dissent. In the last six months, 8 cases have been documented, highlighting a pattern of criminalizing dissent and silencing criticism through legal means. Two journalists were assaulted in October, and financial pressure on the media threatens free press. Five internet shutdowns since 2021 with over 60 deaths from crackdowns between 2021 and 2024 still not investigated. And Despite Senegal’s membership in the OGP, the absence of an access to information law limits transparency and weakens accountability.
Mali: In Mali, the Civic space remains highly restrictive. The High Authority of Communication (HAC) has suspended media outlets, for broadcasting content deemed defamatory or supportive of terrorism. A government-imposed blanket ban on protests and journalists kidnapped in November 2023 have yet to be found with one confirmed dead.
Burkina Faso:
IN Burkina Faso, Journalists are pressured into “patriotic reporting.” Activists are being silenced, and protests are banned. Over the past two years, over 15 media outlets have been suspended or closed due to political rulings by the HAC, further restricting access to critical information. Journalists face mounting pressure, with four disappearing in June and July, some possibly forced into military service for their critical views, while others have gone into exile.
Guinea: The situation is the same in Guinea, where there has been a severe media crackdown. In May 2024, licences for major outlets like FIM FM and Djoma TV were revoked without justification. Journalists have been arrested, and online platforms such as Guinéematin.com blocked, severely restricting free expression. The forced disappearances of two prominent opposition members in July 2024 remain concerning, as their whereabouts have been unknown for over 100 days, following their abduction before a peaceful protest.
Niger: There is a severe restriction of political and civic space in Niger. Journalists face threats, arrests, kidnappings, and disappearances. International media, such as RFI and France 24, have been suspended or banned. The cybercrime law has been reinforced to suppress critical voices, despite recent reforms. The media umbrella body and regulatory institutions remain suspended, and protests, as well as political plurality, are effectively banned.
Nigeria: Recent protests over the cost of living in Nigeria were met with violence, resulting in deaths and arrests. The Cybercrime Act 2015 continues to suppress free speech and target journalists, despite being condemned by the ECOWAS Court.
Finally, As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Special Mechanism on Freedom of expression and Access to information in Africa, ARTICLE 19 extends this call to action to you Honourable Commissioners and colleagues, to address the escalating human rights violations in the Sahel states. We call for accountability through independent investigations into all abuses, particularly those targeting journalists, activists, and citizens exercising their rights to free expression and peaceful protest.
We also call for immediate reforms to laws that restrict free speech, ensuring that all citizens, journalists, and civil society can speak without fear of reprisal in The Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and Nigeria.