Coordinating efforts to implement Senegal’s UPR recommendations
During Senegal’s 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the country showcased important steps taken to advance human rights.
These include accepting to ratify the Second Optional Protocol aiming to abolish the death penalty, reflecting a determination to improve detention conditions and reduce prison overcrowding through alternatives to incarceration.
In October 2024, Senegal passed a bill to establish the National Human Rights Commission, replacing the Senegalese Human Rights Committee.
Senegal has also adopted critical strategies, such as the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women and Girls (2021–2025) and the Strategy for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (2022–2030), accompanied by a National Action Plan (2022–2026). These initiatives aim to promote gender equality and provide comprehensive support to victims.
As part of implementing the UPR recommendations, Senegal is encouraged to develop an action plan in close collaboration with stakeholders, including parliament, the judiciary, local authorities, the Senegalese Human Rights Committee, and civil society.
To support this process, from November 5 to 8, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission of Senegal (CNDH-S) and the Rencontre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme (RADDHO) organized a series of activities to assist Senegal in implementing and following up on the recommendations from its fourth cycle. The series of activities consisted of a workshop for CSOs and the CNDH-S on the development of action strategies for the implementation of UPR recommendations and a workshop on the tools and good practices of States in the follow-up and implementation of UPR recommendations.
The week concluded on November 8 with a multi-stakeholder dialogue that brought together representatives from sectoral ministries, civil society, and the CNDH-S. The discussion provided a platform to exchange perspectives on how to strengthen coordination and advance the implementation of recommendations.
During the discussions, ministries emphasized the importance of designating focal points to ensure effective coordination and communication within and between departments. Several ministries also highlighted the need to align existing policies and actions with UPR recommendations, ensuring that human rights considerations are integrated across all sectors.
The Ministry of Family and Solidarity, for example, stressed the value of creating a joint action plan to streamline efforts across stakeholders, particularly in public awareness and advocacy campaigns. Meanwhile, ministries such as those of Energy and Industry underscored the potential for integrating human rights into corporate responsibility frameworks and sector-specific strategies, including the mining and trade industries.
Another common theme was the need for capacity building and awareness-raising among ministry staff. Representatives noted that providing tools and knowledge to focal points and departmental leaders is crucial for effective monitoring and implementation.
The discussion highlighted a shared commitment across ministries to take a more proactive, inclusive, and coordinated approach to address Senegal’s human rights challenges, demonstrating a collective will to turn UPR recommendations into tangible progress for the country.