Senegal’s Minister Yacine Fall informed the National Assembly about a new bill concerning prisoner assistance. Deputies raised concerns about Senegalese citizens facing difficulties abroad, particularly regarding residence permits. The MPs demanded reciprocal treatment for Senegalese in other countries, advocating for fairness and protection of rights, while calling for a review of bilateral agreements.
On Monday, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Yacine Fall, presented a bill to the National Assembly regarding an agreement between Senegal and Morocco for assistance to prisoners and the transfer of convicted persons. During this session, MPs raised concerns about the challenges faced by Senegalese nationals abroad, particularly regarding the issue of residence permits.
Minister Fall highlighted the precarious situation of Senegalese individuals, especially in Mauritania, where the absence of residence permits leads to harassment. She emphasized that while Senegalese citizens must adhere to local laws, it is equally important for host countries to uphold human rights and human dignity. Fall stated, “It is not acceptable to persecute a person simply because they do not have a residence permit.”
MP Tahirou Sarr endorsed this perspective, demanding reciprocity in the treatment of Senegalese abroad. He noted the disparity where foreigners from countries such as Gabon, Morocco, and Mauritania can reside freely in Senegal, while Senegalese face exorbitant fees for permits in those nations. Sarr argued that Senegal should not be a “ground of unilateral tolerance” and called for fairness and reciprocity.
Supporting Sarr’s sentiments, MPs Guy Marius Sagna and Babacar Ndiaye advocated for a stronger stance from Senegal concerning its citizens. They demanded that Senegalese individuals abroad receive equitable treatment reflective of that accorded to foreign nationals within Senegal. “It is time for Senegal to demand fair treatment for its citizens, like the countries where we send our compatriots,” they asserted.
The discussion has sparked larger questions regarding the respect of migrant rights and the need to review existing bilateral agreements. The current discourse emphasizes enhancing protective measures for Senegalese citizens abroad while ensuring compliance with both national and international laws. The situation demands urgent attention to effectively safeguard the rights of Senegalese individuals living outside their home country.
In conclusion, the National Assembly’s discussions reveal a strong commitment to ensuring reciprocity and fairness in the treatment of Senegalese individuals abroad. Minister Yacine Fall’s statements underline the importance of compliance with local laws while emphasizing the necessity of respecting human rights. Continuous advocacy from MPs reflects a critical stance towards achieving equitable treatment of Senegalese nationals in foreign lands, as well as the need for a review of bilateral agreements to protect the rights of migrants.
Original Source: www.senenews.com
