Niger Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
Amnesty International has several concerns in Niger. More than 230 soldiers, arrested following a failed mutiny in 2002, and remained in detention without trial. Journalists continued to be targeted in an attempt to restrict freedom of expression. Hundreds of thousands of people reportedly remained in conditions of slavery despite the adoption of a new Penal Code in 2003 making slavery a punishable crime.
Niger was ranked at the bottom of UN’s 2005 Human Development Report. Last year, Niger drew some international attention when it suffered a significant famine stemming from years of drought. Niger is a participant in the United States’ War on Terror operations in the Sahara-Sahel Region, including the $500 million Trans-Saharan Counter Terrorism Initiative (TSCTI) that aims to make the region more secure. Critics charge that the TSCTI will do more harm than good.
Relevant Links
Niger Newsroom
March 15, 2018 • Report
Nigeria: Amnesty activists uncover serious negligence by oil giants Shell and Eni
A groundbreaking research project by Amnesty International has exposed evidence of serious negligence by oil giants Shell and Eni, whose irresponsible approach to oil spills in the Niger Delta is …
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
June 24, 2014 • Report
Bad information: Oil spill investigations in the Niger Delta
There are systemic flaws in the system for investigating oil spills in the Niger Delta: the outcome of these investigations lacks credibility. The human rights consequences are serious.
May 23, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Niger 2013
Republic of Niger Head of state Mahamadou Issoufou Head of government Brigi Rafini People accused of belonging to terrorist groups were ill-treated in detention. Several aid workers and their driver …
March 19, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Niger 2010
Head of state Mamadou Tandja Head of government Ali Badjo Gamatié (replaced Seyni Oumarou in October) Death penalty abolitionist in practice Population 15.3million Life expectancy 50.8 years Under-5 mortality (m/f) …
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
November 7, 2013 • Press Release
Shell’s False Claims on Niger Delta Oil Spills Exposed
Shell has manipulated oil spill investigations in Nigeria, with the company's claims on oil pollution in the region deeply suspect and often untrue, said Amnesty International and the Center for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD).
April 17, 2013 • Press Release
Supreme Court Ruling Undermines Decades of Progress Toward Justice in U.S. Courts for Survivors of Human Rights Abuses Abroad
The Supreme Court today dismissed the closely-watched case of Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. in a severe blow for victims of human rights abuses in the Niger Delta, and severely limited the reach of the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), a law enacted in 1789.
