Niger finds itself in the throes of turmoil following a military coup on 26 July 2023, overthrowing elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The military, led by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), justified their seizure of power through claims of worsening security and economic mismanagement. In its wake, they imposed severe repression, targeting dissent and civil liberties, fostering fear among the populace.
In an immediate crackdown, political figures, including Bazoum, faced arbitrary arrests, with his family placed under house arrest despite legal orders for their release. Former ministers were similarly detained on questionable charges, suffering harsh conditions in remote prisons. This climate of fear has effectively stifled opposition and free expression, leaving citizens with little hope for justice.
Freedom of the press has been brutally curtailed; major international outlets have been suspended, and journalists arrested for merely reporting on the government. The chilling atmosphere of oppression leaves many journalists to exercise self-censorship, depriving citizens of reliable information, while online criticism is met with harsh penalties under new cybercrime laws.
Civil society and human rights defenders are not spared, facing accusations of treason for championing democracy and transparency. Activists like Hadiza and Samira Sabou were detained for social media criticisms and held incommunicado, stifling the voices that dare to stand against the regime. The right to assemble peacefully has been suspended, fostering a culture of fear and repression against dissenting voices.
Amidst this chaos, a new cybercrime law threatens to penalise online criticism even more severely, with sentences that push individuals into silence. This awkward and vague legislation allows authorities to silence dissenting voices, forcefully silencing public discourse and promoting a climate of self-censorship.
Now, more than eighteen months since the coup, Niger remains under harsh military authority with no return to constitutional order in sight. Amnesty International urges the Nigerien government to release all arbitrarily detained individuals and respect due process. The call is clear: human rights should never be sacrificed for political instability, and the international community must act to ensure accountability and support with a commitment to justice and human rights for the Nigerien people.
Niger’s military coup on 26 July 2023 led to the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and widespread repression. Arbitrary arrests of political leaders and journalists have silenced dissent, while freedoms of press and expression are under severe attack. A new cybercrime law compounds the stifling atmosphere, threatening activists and journalists alike. Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of detained individuals and respect for human rights in Niger.
The situation in Niger poses an urgent call for concern as military authorities perpetuate cycles of repression and human rights violations. With arbitrary detentions, the crackdown on media and civil society, and the chilling effect of new cybercrime laws, dissent is being systematically suffocated. As the international community watches closely, it must call for action and hold the regime accountable, ensuring the people of Niger regain their voices and their rights.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
