Inmates at Camp Penal Liberté 6 in Dakar initiated a hunger strike on Friday, July 19th. They demand a visit from the Minister of Justice and an end to the abuse they claim to suffer at the hands of prison guards, which includes physical aggression and mistreatment.
According to the inmates, the protest stems from a mutiny that occurred on June 19th. On that day, a tense cell search led to clashes with the guards. Since then, some inmates have been transferred to Rebeuss Prison. Those remaining at Camp Penal allege that one of their fellow inmates died under “suspicious circumstances” following his transfer. The inmates also report ongoing hostility from the guards, whom they believe hold a grudge against them, according to the Association for the Support and Social Reintegration of Prisoners (Asred).
Asred President Ibrahima Sall stated that the hunger strike is the only legal means available for the inmates to make their voices heard. “The inmates have no other means. They cannot throw stones at the prison staff. They cannot fight with the guards. Their only weapon is the hunger strike, which has a specific purpose: to make people understand that we are not animals. We are human beings. We accept our fate, but come to our aid,” he declared.
The prison administration, when contacted by Weafrica24, dismissed the inmates’ allegations as unfounded. However, Asred insists on commitments from the authorities to improve prison conditions. “The authorities must take responsibility. We also request that the Minister of Justice visit to assess the situation of these individuals,” explained Ibrahima Sall.
The inmates have vowed to continue their hunger strike until the Minister of Justice visits them. The strike aims to draw attention to their plight and seek urgent intervention to address the dire conditions they face in detention.