• Urgent Action

Urgent Action Update: Activist Sentenced to One Year, Others Released (Niger: UA 30.18)

August 2, 2018

Three activists, Moussa Tchangari, Ali Idrissa and Nouhou Arzika were released on 24 July after being handed a three-month suspended sentence. A fourth activist, Lirwana Abdourahmane, was sentenced to one year in prison for “contempt of court by speaking” on 23 July and remains imprisoned. The four human rights defenders were among a group of people arrested and detained on 25 March by security forces in Niamey, Niger in connection with a peaceful protest.

Three activists, Moussa Tchangari, Ali Idrissa and Nouhou Arzika were released on 24 July after being handed a three-month suspended sentence. A fourth activist, Lirwana Abdourahmane, was sentenced to one year in prison for “contempt of court by speaking” on 23 July and remains imprisoned. The four human rights defenders were among a group of people arrested and detained on 25 March by security forces in Niamey, Niger in connection with a peaceful protest. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:
  • Calling on the authorities to review Lirwana Abdourahamane’s conviction for contempt of court, making sure it is in line with international law and standards and does not violate his right to freedom of expression;
  • Refrain from using the charge of ‘contempt of court’ to silence and prevent human rights defenders and activists from exercising their human rights;
  • Urging them to guarantee that activists and human rights defenders in Niger are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and unlawful restrictions.

Contact these two officials by 13 September, 2018: President of the Republic of Niger M. Issoufou Mahamadou Palais Présidentiel Boulevard de la République, Niamey, Niger Fax: 227 20 73 34 30 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear President

Ambassador H.E Professor Hassana Alidou, Embassy of the Republic of Niger 2204 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone: 202 483 4224 Fax: 202 483 3169 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Ambassador

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION Click here to let us know if you took action on this case! This is Urgent Action 30.18 Here’s why it is so important to report your actions: we record the actions taken on each case—letters, emails, calls and tweets—and use that information in our advocacy. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES