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Amnesty International denounces excessive use of force by gendarmerie in Ngor

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Quadri Adejumo
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Amnesty International has denounced the excessive use of force by the gendarmerie in the Ngor neighborhood of Dakar during recent demonstrations in the area. Ousmane Diallo, a researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, called for strict adherence to international law which requires that the use of force in policing must be necessary and proportional, with firearms only used in cases of imminent danger of death or serious injury.

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The residents of Ngor have been protesting the use of a 6,300m2 plot of land, with the inhabitants wanting to build a high school while the authorities plan to build barracks for the gendarmerie. On 9 May, the neighborhood was cordoned off by the gendarmes, restricting access and preventing inhabitants from leaving. During the day, they fired bullets at demonstrators, with a 15-year-old girl being shot and killed, according to reports.

Use of excessive force by gendarmes during demonstrations

Residents of Ngor have been protesting since mid-April over the use of a plot of land, and Amnesty International has seen several videos and images of gendarmes using excessive force against demonstrators. In these videos, gendarmes can be seen firing bullets in the direction of the demonstrators, using tear gas in enclosed spaces, beating arrested and handcuffed people, or using individuals as human shields to advance through the neighborhood where mobility has been impeded by several barricades.

Excessive use of force

The excessive use of force by the gendarmerie in Ngor has caused clashes between police and residents, leading to the death of a teenage girl. Amnesty International has called for justice for the victims and for the authorities to ensure that the gendarmerie adheres to international laws and regulations concerning the use of force in policing.

amnestyinternational gendarmerie Dakar ExcessiveUseOfForce
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