Senegal's Justice Minister introduces reforms to reduce pre-trial detention and address judicial abuses
via SeneNews2 min read
Senegal's Minister of Justice, Me Moussa Sarr, has issued a circular on July 15, 2026, to fundamentally change the country's penal policy. The directive, addressed to public prosecutors, general prosecutors, and court presidents, aims to drastically reduce the use of pre-trial detention and end judicial practices deemed contrary to the rule of law. The Minister noted the failure of previous directives to limit detention orders, leading to persistent prison overcrowding, deteriorating detention conditions, and increased public spending on prisons. This situation also compromises Senegal's international commitments regarding the rights of persons deprived of liberty. Me Moussa Sarr has instructed prosecutors to stop the systematic use of detention orders and prioritize measures that avoid unnecessary detentions, particularly by granting release when individuals can guarantee their appearance in court. The circular also addresses the use of police and gendarmerie services to pressure individuals into paying private debts in civil or commercial disputes. The Minister has ordered magistrates to favor alternative dispute resolution methods, especially in cases of fraud or breach of trust with a significant financial dimension. He also mandated that complaints exclusively concerning civil or commercial disputes be dismissed and that judges refuse to investigate civil party claims when the facts are not criminal. Finally, the Minister promotes modern alternatives to incarceration, su
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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