WYSN made the call in a statement signed by its Organising Secretary, Dammy Owot on Monday, asking the Talon government to apologise for the attack on ordinary people.
Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) has called for the unconditional release of detained residents arrested for protesting against the deteriorating living standard under the Patrice Talon government in Benin Republic.
WYSN made the call in a statement signed by its Organising Secretary, Dammy Owot on Monday, asking the Talon government to apologise for the attack on ordinary people.
According to the group, it opposes the attacks on the democratic rights of the people to protest, assemble, and organise.
The statement reads in part, "Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) writes to condemn arbitrary arrest of members of Confédération Syndicale des Travailleurs du Benin (CSTB).
"We have received the shocking news of the mass arrest of people on the 1st of May, 2024 in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The CSTB had called on workers, market women, young students, unemployed individuals, youth and artisans, etc., from Cotonou and surrounding areas to gather at Place de l’Etoile Rouge for the commemorative march of May 1st, 2024.
“From Place de l’Etoile Rouge, passing through St. Jean church and UNAFRICA junction, the march culminates at the labor exchange for the closing meeting.
"But this democratic and historic event was repressed by police with tear gas canisters. The event was massively militarized; 72 were arrested in the violent attack. According to reports, they were all taken to Directorate of Judicial Police in Aglangandan, after which 20 were released. The 50 that remain are still in police custody.
"The protesters are protesting against the attack on the living standard by the Talon government and also the French and military base in Benin Republic. We in the WYSN oppose these attacks on the democratic rights of the people to protest, assemble, and organise.
"We are happy that the event went on successfully after protesters weren't intimidated by repression.
"The WYSN stands in solidarity with all CSTB comrades and Beninoise, who are victims of Talon misrule. We hold strongly that the only way oppressed people can ventilate their anger is by protesting on the street.
"The unprovoked attack on ordinary protesters by the Talon government has received widespread condemnation across the world. WYSN will not hesitate to picket the Benin Republic embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, if the regime continues to keep peaceful protesters in detention.”
"We again call for the unconditional release of detained protesters, and the Talon government must apologise for this attack on ordinary people," the statement added.