In this report from Human Rights Watch, authorities are making strides in protecting street children from the harsh punishment many of them face in Quranic schools in Senegal. As Human Rights Watch reports, at least five children died in Quranic schools in the first half of the year. Beyond that, many children in Quranic schools are beaten and abused severely.
Human Rights Watch further reports that Senegalese president Mackey Sall ordered all children released and returned to their parents. Anyone forcing these children to beg on the streets can face criminal penalties. Human Rights Watch notes that while arrests have gone up, convictions are rare.
This Human Rights Watch report details multiple abuses against children who attend Quranic schools (known as talibé). Some of these abuses include beatings, shackling, and rape. Human Rights Watch notes that tens of thousands of talibé children are sent away by their family to live and study with Quranic schools. Protections are challenging for talibé children as there are service gaps in existence. Children lack appropriate legal representation.
Human Rights Watch recommends that as children are removed, their safety is appropriately provided for while they are in transit and as they return to their parents. Furthermore, Human Rights Watch recommends that applicable laws are enforced in order to ensure that those who abuse children are appropriately punished for their abuses.
