Get off streets, Senegal beggars told
2010-08-25 18:06
Dakar - Senegal's prime minister urged beggars in Dakar to get off the streets and seek charity in places of worship, in a government crackdown against increasing numbers of mendicants, local media said Wednesday.
"In the next few days, the government will begin an effective battle against begging, which is forbidden," Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye told news agency APS.
He was speaking on Tuesday evening after government ministers met with representatives from international organisations, civil society and religious groups to discuss the exploitation of beggars, especially children.
Ndiaye said organised beggar networks in Dakar use children from as young as two, and particularly students from Koranic schools, to beg for money, which is then "used for other ends".
In April, Human Rights Watch condemned the situation in Senegal where "tens of thousands of children" suffered "slavery-like conditions" under brutal religious school teachers who forced them to beg.
Unicef estimated two years ago that 8 000 children live on the streets of Dakar.
Canadian governor-general Michaelle Jean urged Dakar in an April 15 visit to address the growing problem of child beggars, likening it to a form of slavery.