Amnesty International documented the deterioration of civic space and civil and political rights violations in Niger since the military coup of July 26, 2023, to January 2025. It makes recommendations to the authorities for the protection of rights guaranteed by international human rights law and standards, as well as national law in Niger.
While the new authorities committed to respect human rights, they have failed to do so in law and practice by attacking freedoms of expression, of press and violating the rule of law. The military authorities have weakened human rights protection in the legal framework, suppressed important institutions, suspended all activities by political parties, and arbitrarily detained several public figures, including the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, his wife, and seven former cabinet ministers, as well as several civil society members and journalists.
This report is based on 36 interviews conducted with a diversity of Nigerien actors from July 2023 to January 2025, including journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers and professionals belonging to the judiciary, and victims of human rights violations and their families. Between June 3 and 12, 2024, two Amnesty International delegates visited Niamey, Niger’s capital, and conducted interviews with various stakeholders.
Due to the security situation, the delegates only visited Niamey and could not conduct interviews beyond the capital city. Requests for meetings with members of the government including the Minister of Justice and the Minister for Interior were sent prior to the visit but remained unanswered. The findings of the research were also sent to the authorities on February 13, 2025, in order to reflect their observations in the report. At the date of the publication of the report, no response was received by Amnesty International.
Read “Niger: ‘Threatened and Brought to Heel’ – Human Rights and Civic Space Under Pressure Since the 26 July Coup.”