Since the military coup on 26 July 2023, Niger’s authorities have disregarded their promises to uphold human rights and protect civil liberties, according to a new Amnesty International report. The publication, titled “Niger: Threatened and Brought to Heel: Human Rights and Civic Space under Pressure since the 26 July Coup”, outlines a troubling decline in civic freedoms and the chilling impact on civil and political rights following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Amnesty International documented multiple human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, infringement on detainees’ rights, and violations of fair trial rights and press freedoms. Victims include former President Bazoum, his wife, cabinet members, journalists, and human rights activists, indicating a broad crackdown on dissent.
“Upon taking power, the new authorities justified their coup on… poor economic and social governance. They made a commitment to respect the rule of law and human rights. Our report shows that they have clearly failed…” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa. The expectation for the new regime to adhere to these principles has faltered as violations have surged.
After the coup, the governing National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) suspended the 2010 Constitution while promising to uphold rights outlined in key human rights frameworks. However, Sivieude notes, “Despite the guarantees… human rights have been trampled in law and practice. Arbitrary detentions have become common…”
Both Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have been detained despite a ruling from the ECOWAS Court of Justice declaring the detention arbitrary. Bazoum faces serious charges of “high treason” without legal representation, while former cabinet ministers remain detained in military courts despite judicial orders for their release. The authorities also restricted political party activities and reinstated defamation penalties, reverting many human rights advances.
The right to freedom of expression has been aggressively curtailed since the coup, impacting journalists and civil society. In early 2024, a pivotal media group was suspended under state control, leading to arbitrary detentions of journalists. Critics like Ousmane Toudou and Soumana Maiga faced severe consequences, signaling a perilous environment for dissenters.
Amidst this crackdown, fear of repercussions has led to widespread self-censorship among journalists and activists. A civil society member stated, “If you criticize the government, be sure that you risk being arrested.” Amnesty International urges Nigerien authorities to honour international treaties protecting fundamental freedoms and to release those detained without just cause, placing pressure on the regime to restore civil liberties and the rule of law.
In conclusion, the recent Amnesty International report unveils a grim reality in Niger, where human rights and civic freedoms are under severe strain following the military coup. The government’s broken commitments prompt urgent calls for accountability and respect for the rights of all citizens. The cry for freedom echoes amid the shadows of repression, as the world watches and waits for change.
Amnesty International’s report reveals a sharp decline in human rights and civic space in Niger since the military coup on 26 July 2023. The authorities have engaged in arbitrary detentions, silencing critics, and suspending constitutional rights, breaching their commitments to uphold law and freedoms. Key figures, including former President Mohamed Bazoum, remain unjustly detained, and freedom of expression is severely restricted, prompting urgent calls for accountability and respect for human rights.
The Amnesty International report underscores a critical erosion of human rights in Niger since the July 2023 military coup, with alarming increases in arbitrary detentions and suppressive tactics against dissidents. The regime’s failure to adhere to its commitments calls for immediate international attention and action to revive civil liberties. Without timely intervention, the fabric of rights and freedoms in Niger hangs precariously in the balance, urging an urgent response from both officials and the international community.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
