
On Thursday, the non-governmental organizations Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International denounced a crackdown on journalists and government opponents and demanded the immediate release of those held “arbitrarily” in Niger by the military rule that followed the coup d’état on July 26.
According to a press release from the two NGOs, the Nigerien government “should release all those arbitrarily detained”.
HRW Sahel researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi was mentioned in the piece as saying that the military government must “ensure respect for human rights and guarantee freedom of the press”.
The two NGOs note that President Mohamed Bazoum has been residing in his presidential mansion with his wife and son ever since the coup that toppled him. They further mention that numerous ministers from the overthrown government are being detained in various jails around the nation.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International “view their detentions as arbitrary because they are politically motivated.”
They also assert that “the authorities have threatened, harassed, intimidated and arbitrarily arrested journalists, young people and alleged political opponents, as well as people expressing critical opinions” .
Reporters in Niger note that they “face mounting pressure to continue their work,” and that “both local and foreign journalists have experienced physical assaults, verbal abuse on the internet, and threats.”
The two groups bring up the example of Nigerian journalist Samira Sabou, who was charged with “production and dissemination of data likely to disturb public order” among other things after her detention on September 30. On October 11, Sabou was granted temporary parole.
They also condemn the military authorities’ early August decision for Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24 to cease broadcasting.
According to a Nigerien journalist cited by HRW, “self-censorship has become a survival tactic for many of us”.
NGOs are also alleging instances of physical violence inflicted on Niamey streets by supporters of the administration.
Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa office researcher for the Sahel, Ousmane Diallo, asserts that “freedom of expression, dissent, and press freedom are essential to the enjoyment of other rights and to government accountability.”
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