DAKAR – A UN panel on Wednesday in Dakar accused Senegalese authorities, of arbitrarily detaining the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade, and called on the government to pay him unspecified compensation.
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention made the call in a draft document dated May 7.
Karim Wade, formerly Head of four ministries and now Presidential Candidate for the main opposition party SDP, was jailed for six years in March for illicit enrichment.
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He was ordered to pay a 233.99 million dollars in fine.
Senegal’s current President, Macky Sall, said the trial was part of a broader crackdown on corruption.
However, opposition and other critics dismiss it as a politically motivated bid to stamp out dissents.
The panel said Senegalese government should take the necessary measures to remedy the prejudice inflicted on Wade by fully compensating him.
The document, from the group which operates under the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, did not go into details on what form the compensation should take.
It said it should be made under a UN human rights covenant that orders compensation for victims of unlawful arrest or detention.
Meanwhile, Sidiki Kaba, Senegal’s Justice Minister said UN does not have any authority over domestic rulings.
“Senegal is a sovereign state and it is Senegal’s judiciary institutions that make rulings.
“A decision has been given and we are awaiting a final ruling by a higher court,” he said. (Reuters/NAN)
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