Dakar urged to protect dignity of foreigners ahead of 2026 Youth Olympics
Horizon Sans fronti猫res, led by President Boubacar Seye, a researcher and consultant in international migration, has called on Senegalese authorities to ensure the dignity of foreigners is protected during operations leading up to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics. While acknowledging the state's right to ensure security and organization for the international event, the organization emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between combating illegal occupation of public spaces and targeting communities based on nationality. They argue that interventions should be based on precise facts and regular procedures, applied equally to all, rather than on origin or nationality. Horizon Sans fronti猫res rejects the dangerous confusion between irregular immigration and delinquency, stating that an irregular administrative situation does not equate to criminal behavior. They highlight that the state has administrative and judicial procedures for dealing with irregular situations, which must be individual, transparent, and respectful of fundamental rights. The organization also stresses the critical dimension of forced migration, noting that many foreigners in Senegal have fled wars, armed conflicts, persecution, or severe threats to their lives, particularly from the Sahel region. As a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention and African refugee protection instruments, Senegal has a legal and moral obligation to protect those seeking refuge, including upholding the principle of non-refoulem
