Madagascar: The United Against Torture Consortium Condemns the Brutal Repression of Demonstrations for Water and Electricity

Since 25 September 2025, Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, has witnessed protests led mainly by young people, grouped under the name ‘GEN Z’, denouncing the government's failure to uphold fundamental rights, in particular the recurring water and electricity cuts.

Excessive and disproportionate use of force

The Consortium is deeply concerned by the excessive and disproportionate use of force by the Malagasy security forces. According to figures from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, this violent crackdown has resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including children, and caused numerous injuries among unarmed protesters, including journalists covering the events. The level of violence suggests that the acts may constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments, or even torture.

This lethal use of force is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law. We reiterate that:

1. Law enforcement officers may only use force when strictly necessary.
2. The use of firearms is only permitted when lives are in immediate danger and there is no other means of protecting them.
3. Compliance with legal procedures for issuing warnings is mandatory before any use of force.

The Malagasy security forces' intervention appeared to be completely disproportionate and contrary to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, as well as the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, texts which are consistent with the international instruments ratified by Madagascar.

Reminder of responsibilities and calls

The Model Protocol for Law Enforcement Officials to Promote and Protect Human Rights in the Context of Peaceful Protests clearly states that the role of law enforcement officials is to facilitate and

Therefore, the United Against Torture Consortium:

1. Urges the President of the Republic of Madagascar to intervene immediately to remind the security forces of their absolute obligation to respect the physical integrity of the population in all circumstances, and to hold them accountable for their actions.
2. Calls on the security forces to exercise immediate restraint and on the various actors to engage in dialogue in strict compliance with republican legality and the rule of law.
3. Calls on the competent Malagasy authorities to ensure an immediate, effective, independent and impartial investigation into these violations. This investigation is essential to identify those responsible for the arbitrary or excessive use of force and to prosecute them, in accordance with United Nations Principle 7, which states that such acts must be punished as criminal offences;
4. Grant victims and their families appropriate reparation, including rehabilitation.

Justice must be done for the families of the victims. Impunity cannot be tolerated.

Press contacts: Marie Salphati, UATC Coordinator – msa@omct.org

United Against Torture Consortium:

UATC is an EU-funded project that pools the strengths and expertise of six international anti-torture organisations, in partnership with over 200 civil society organisations and other partners in 100+ countries, to strengthen and expand torture prevention, protection, rehabilitation and strategic litigation