Prime minister says Senegal is banning begging from the streets of its capital
By APWednesday, August 25, 2010
Senegal says it’s banning begging in the capital
DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s government says it is banning beggars from the streets of the capital.
Prime Minister Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye announced Wednesday that people begging will be given a place to stay if they leave the streets of Dakar to receive charity.
But it remains to be seen how the ban will be effectively implemented as many of those who beg for money in the West African nation are not doing so willingly.
Activists say tens of thousands of Senegalese children attending Islamic schools are forced to beg in the streets and are often brutally beaten if they don’t bring back enough money.
Human Rights Watch says children as young as 4 are forced into the streets. Some have been beaten to death, while others have been killed by cars in traffic.
