| NIGER Republic of Niger Republique du Niger Joined United Nations: 20 September 1960 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 02/17/11 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE AND HEAD OF GOVERNMENT |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Niamey
15,878,271 (July 2010 est.)
Mahamadou Danda
Interim Prime Minister since 23 February 2010
Interim Prime Minister since 23 February 2010
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); second round of election last held 4 December 2004
President Tandja deposed by coup d'etat on 19 February
2010; Election last held; First round: 31 January 2011
Next scheduled election: Second Round: 12 March 2011
second term); second round of election last held 4 December 2004
President Tandja deposed by coup d'etat on 19 February
2010; Election last held; First round: 31 January 2011
Next scheduled election: Second Round: 12 March 2011
SELECTION PROCESS
Prime minister usually appointed by the president and shares
some executive responsibilities with the president however,
following the 19 February 2010 coup, Danda was appointed by
the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD)
Next scheduled election: 12 March 2011
some executive responsibilities with the president however,
following the 19 February 2010 coup, Danda was appointed by
the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD)
Next scheduled election: 12 March 2011
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Touareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic with 8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district (communite urbaine); Legal system is based on French civil
law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); First round election was held on 31 January
201 with the second round slated for 12 March 2011 prime minister appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities
with the president. Deposed by coup d'etat on 19 February 2010 and interim President and Prime Minister appointed by the Supreme
Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD)
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 31 January 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
Judicial: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); First round election was held on 31 January
201 with the second round slated for 12 March 2011 prime minister appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities
with the president. Deposed by coup d'etat on 19 February 2010 and interim President and Prime Minister appointed by the Supreme
Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD)
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 31 January 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
Judicial: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
| LANGUAGES |
French (official), Hausa, Djerma
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Humans have lived in what is now Niger from the earliest times. 3 to 3.5 Million year old Australopithecus bahrelghazali remains
have been found in neighboring Chad. Considerable evidence indicates that about 60,000 years ago, humans inhabited what has
since become the desolate Sahara of northern Niger. Later, on what was then huge fertile grasslands, from at least 7,000 BCE there
was pastoralism, herding of sheep and goats, large settlements and pottery. Cattle were introduced to the Central Sahara (Ahaggar)
from 4,000 to 3,500 BCE. Remarkable rock paintings, many found in the Air Mountians, dated 3,500 to 2,500 BCE, portray
vegetation and animal presence rather different from modern expectations. As the Sahara dried after 2000 BCE, the north of Niger
became the desert it is today, with settlements and trade routes clinging to the Air in the north, the Kouar and shore of Lake Chad in
the west, and (apart for a scattering of oases) most people living along what is now the southern border with Nigeria and the
southwest of the country. By at least the fifth century BCE, Carthage and Egypt became terminals for West African gold, ivory, and
slaves trading salt, cloth, beads, and metal goods. With this trade, Niger was on the route between the empires of the Sahel and the
empires of the Mediterranean basin. Long before the arrival of French influence and control in the area, Niger was an important
economic crossroads, and the empires of Songhai, Mali, the Dendi Kingdom, Gao, and Kanem-Bornu, as well as a number of
Hausa states, claimed control over portions of the area. During recent centuries, the nomadic Tuareg formed large confederations,
pushed southward, and, siding with various Hausa states, clashed with the Fulani Empire of Sokoto, which had gained control of
much of the Hausa territory in the late 18th century. In the 19th century, contact with the West began when the first European
explorers--notably Mungo Park (British) and Heinrich Barth (German)--explored the area searching for the mouth of the Niger
River. Although French efforts at pacification began before 1900, dissident ethnic groups, especially the desert Tuareg, were not
subdued until 1922, when Niger became a French colony. Niger's colonial history and development parallel that of other French
West African territories. France administered her West African colonies through a governor general at Dakar, Senegal, and
governors in the individual territories, including Niger. In addition to conferring French citizenship on the inhabitants of the territories,
the 1946 French constitution provided for decentralization of power and limited participation in political life for local advisory
assemblies. A further revision in the organization of overseas territories occurred with the passage of the Overseas Reform Act (Loi
Cadre) of July 23, 1956, followed by reorganizational measures enacted by the French Parliament early in 1957. In addition to
removing voting inequalities, these laws provided for creation of governmental organs, assuring individual territories a large measure
of self-government. After the establishment of the Fifth French Republic, Niger became an autonomous state within the French
Community on December 4, 1958. Following full independence on August 3, 1960, however, membership was allowed to lapse.
For its first 14 years as an independent state, Niger was run by a single-party civilian regime under the presidency of Hamani Diori.
In 1974, a combination of devastating drought and accusations of rampant corruption resulted in a military coup which overthrew
the Diori regime. Col. Seyni Kountché and a small group of military ruled the country until Kountche's death in 1987. He was
succeeded by his Chief of Staff and cousin, Col. Ali Saibou, who released political prisoners, liberalized some of Niger's laws and
policies, and promulgated a new constitution. However, President Saibou's efforts to control political reforms failed in the face of
union and student demands to institute a multi-party democratic system. The Saibou regime acquiesced to these demands by the
end of 1990. New political parties and civic associations sprang up, and a National Conference was convened in July 1991 to
prepare the way for the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair elections. The debate was often contentious
and accusatory, but under the leadership of Prof. André Salifou, the conference developed consensus on the modalities of a
transition government. Niger sent hundreds of troops to the Coalition forces in the Gulf War in 1991. A transition government was
installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put in place in April 1993.
While the economy deteriorated over the course of the transition, certain accomplishments stand out, including the successful
conduct of a constitutional referendum; the adoption of key legislation such as the electoral and rural codes; and the holding of
several free, fair, and nonviolent nationwide elections. Freedom of the press flourished with the appearance of several new
independent newspapers. A coalition of parties in 1993 won the Presidential election for Mahamane Ousmane the CDS party
candidate. The agreement between the parties fell apart in 1994 leading to governmental paralysis as the CDS on its own no longer
had a majority in the assembly. Ousmane dissolved the legislature and called new legislative elections, but the MNSD party won the
largest group of seats, so Ousmane was compelled to appoint Hama Amadou of the MNSD as prime minister. As the culmination
of an initiative started in 1991, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with all Tuareg and Toubou groups that had
been leading the Tuareg Rebellion since 1990 claiming they lacked attention and resources from the central government. The
government agreed to absorb some former rebels in the military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive
civilian life. The paralysis of government between the President and the Prime Minister who no longer agreed gave Col. Ibrahim
Baré Maïnassara a rationale to overthrow the Third Republic and depose the first democratically elected president of Niger, on
January 27, 1996. While leading a military authority that ran the government (Conseil de Salut National) during a 6-month transition
period, Baré enlisted specialists to draft a new constitution for a Fourth Republic announced in May 1996. Baré organized a
Presidential election in June 1996. He ran against four other candidates, including Ousmane. Before voting had finished, Baré
dissolved the national electoral committee and appointed another, which announced him the winner with over 50% of the votes cast.
When his efforts to justify his coup and subsequent questionable election failed to convince donors to restore multilateral and
bilateral economic assistance, a desperate Baré ignored the international embargo on Libya seeking funds for Niger's economy. In
repeated violations of basic civil liberties by the regime, opposition leaders were imprisoned; journalists often arrested, beaten, and
deported by an unofficial militia composed of police and military; and independent media offices were looted and burned with
impunity. In April 1999, Baré was assassinated in a coup led by Maj. Daouda Malam Wanké who established a transitional
National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution for a Fifth Republic with a French style semi-presidential
system. In votes that international observers found to be generally free and fair, the Nigerien electorate approved the new
constitution in July 1999 and held legislative and presidential elections in October and November 1999. Heading a MNSD/CDS
coalition, Tandja Mamadou won the presidency. The council transitioned to civilian rule in December 1999. The Second Tuareg
insurgency in Niger began in 2007. Tandja was deposed in a coup d'etat on 19 February 2010.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Niger
have been found in neighboring Chad. Considerable evidence indicates that about 60,000 years ago, humans inhabited what has
since become the desolate Sahara of northern Niger. Later, on what was then huge fertile grasslands, from at least 7,000 BCE there
was pastoralism, herding of sheep and goats, large settlements and pottery. Cattle were introduced to the Central Sahara (Ahaggar)
from 4,000 to 3,500 BCE. Remarkable rock paintings, many found in the Air Mountians, dated 3,500 to 2,500 BCE, portray
vegetation and animal presence rather different from modern expectations. As the Sahara dried after 2000 BCE, the north of Niger
became the desert it is today, with settlements and trade routes clinging to the Air in the north, the Kouar and shore of Lake Chad in
the west, and (apart for a scattering of oases) most people living along what is now the southern border with Nigeria and the
southwest of the country. By at least the fifth century BCE, Carthage and Egypt became terminals for West African gold, ivory, and
slaves trading salt, cloth, beads, and metal goods. With this trade, Niger was on the route between the empires of the Sahel and the
empires of the Mediterranean basin. Long before the arrival of French influence and control in the area, Niger was an important
economic crossroads, and the empires of Songhai, Mali, the Dendi Kingdom, Gao, and Kanem-Bornu, as well as a number of
Hausa states, claimed control over portions of the area. During recent centuries, the nomadic Tuareg formed large confederations,
pushed southward, and, siding with various Hausa states, clashed with the Fulani Empire of Sokoto, which had gained control of
much of the Hausa territory in the late 18th century. In the 19th century, contact with the West began when the first European
explorers--notably Mungo Park (British) and Heinrich Barth (German)--explored the area searching for the mouth of the Niger
River. Although French efforts at pacification began before 1900, dissident ethnic groups, especially the desert Tuareg, were not
subdued until 1922, when Niger became a French colony. Niger's colonial history and development parallel that of other French
West African territories. France administered her West African colonies through a governor general at Dakar, Senegal, and
governors in the individual territories, including Niger. In addition to conferring French citizenship on the inhabitants of the territories,
the 1946 French constitution provided for decentralization of power and limited participation in political life for local advisory
assemblies. A further revision in the organization of overseas territories occurred with the passage of the Overseas Reform Act (Loi
Cadre) of July 23, 1956, followed by reorganizational measures enacted by the French Parliament early in 1957. In addition to
removing voting inequalities, these laws provided for creation of governmental organs, assuring individual territories a large measure
of self-government. After the establishment of the Fifth French Republic, Niger became an autonomous state within the French
Community on December 4, 1958. Following full independence on August 3, 1960, however, membership was allowed to lapse.
For its first 14 years as an independent state, Niger was run by a single-party civilian regime under the presidency of Hamani Diori.
In 1974, a combination of devastating drought and accusations of rampant corruption resulted in a military coup which overthrew
the Diori regime. Col. Seyni Kountché and a small group of military ruled the country until Kountche's death in 1987. He was
succeeded by his Chief of Staff and cousin, Col. Ali Saibou, who released political prisoners, liberalized some of Niger's laws and
policies, and promulgated a new constitution. However, President Saibou's efforts to control political reforms failed in the face of
union and student demands to institute a multi-party democratic system. The Saibou regime acquiesced to these demands by the
end of 1990. New political parties and civic associations sprang up, and a National Conference was convened in July 1991 to
prepare the way for the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair elections. The debate was often contentious
and accusatory, but under the leadership of Prof. André Salifou, the conference developed consensus on the modalities of a
transition government. Niger sent hundreds of troops to the Coalition forces in the Gulf War in 1991. A transition government was
installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put in place in April 1993.
While the economy deteriorated over the course of the transition, certain accomplishments stand out, including the successful
conduct of a constitutional referendum; the adoption of key legislation such as the electoral and rural codes; and the holding of
several free, fair, and nonviolent nationwide elections. Freedom of the press flourished with the appearance of several new
independent newspapers. A coalition of parties in 1993 won the Presidential election for Mahamane Ousmane the CDS party
candidate. The agreement between the parties fell apart in 1994 leading to governmental paralysis as the CDS on its own no longer
had a majority in the assembly. Ousmane dissolved the legislature and called new legislative elections, but the MNSD party won the
largest group of seats, so Ousmane was compelled to appoint Hama Amadou of the MNSD as prime minister. As the culmination
of an initiative started in 1991, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with all Tuareg and Toubou groups that had
been leading the Tuareg Rebellion since 1990 claiming they lacked attention and resources from the central government. The
government agreed to absorb some former rebels in the military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive
civilian life. The paralysis of government between the President and the Prime Minister who no longer agreed gave Col. Ibrahim
Baré Maïnassara a rationale to overthrow the Third Republic and depose the first democratically elected president of Niger, on
January 27, 1996. While leading a military authority that ran the government (Conseil de Salut National) during a 6-month transition
period, Baré enlisted specialists to draft a new constitution for a Fourth Republic announced in May 1996. Baré organized a
Presidential election in June 1996. He ran against four other candidates, including Ousmane. Before voting had finished, Baré
dissolved the national electoral committee and appointed another, which announced him the winner with over 50% of the votes cast.
When his efforts to justify his coup and subsequent questionable election failed to convince donors to restore multilateral and
bilateral economic assistance, a desperate Baré ignored the international embargo on Libya seeking funds for Niger's economy. In
repeated violations of basic civil liberties by the regime, opposition leaders were imprisoned; journalists often arrested, beaten, and
deported by an unofficial militia composed of police and military; and independent media offices were looted and burned with
impunity. In April 1999, Baré was assassinated in a coup led by Maj. Daouda Malam Wanké who established a transitional
National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution for a Fifth Republic with a French style semi-presidential
system. In votes that international observers found to be generally free and fair, the Nigerien electorate approved the new
constitution in July 1999 and held legislative and presidential elections in October and November 1999. Heading a MNSD/CDS
coalition, Tandja Mamadou won the presidency. The council transitioned to civilian rule in December 1999. The Second Tuareg
insurgency in Niger began in 2007. Tandja was deposed in a coup d'etat on 19 February 2010.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Niger
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's
largest uranium deposits. Drought, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a
common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven
other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the
International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces
Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS
prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100%
multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF,
excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. In 2010, the Niger economy was recovering from the effects of a 2009 drought that
reduced grain and cowpea production and decimated livestock herds. The economy was also hurt when the international community
cut off non-humanitarian aid in response to TANDJA's moves to extend his term as president. Nearly half of the government's
budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral
resources.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Niger)
largest uranium deposits. Drought, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a
common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven
other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the
International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces
Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS
prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100%
multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF,
excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. In 2010, the Niger economy was recovering from the effects of a 2009 drought that
reduced grain and cowpea production and decimated livestock herds. The economy was also hurt when the international community
cut off non-humanitarian aid in response to TANDJA's moves to extend his term as president. Nearly half of the government's
budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral
resources.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Niger)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Politics of Niger takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of
Niger is head of state and the Prime Minister of Niger head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is
exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The judiciary is
independent of the executive and the legislature.
The current legislature elected in December 2004 contains seven political parties. President Mamadou Tandja was re-elected in
December 2004 and reappointed Hama Amadou as Prime Minister. Mahamane Ousmane, the head of the CDS, was re-elected
President of the National Assembly (parliament) by his peers. The new second term government of the Fifth Republic took office on
30 December 2002. In August 2002, serious unrest within the military occurred in Niamey, Diffa, and Nguigmi, but the government
was able to restore order within several days. In June 2007, a no confidence vote against the government led to the fall of the Prime
Minister Hama Amadou and his ministers.
The constitution of December 1992 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996 and, again, by referendum, recised to the
current version on 18 July 1999. It restored the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third
Republic) in which the president of the republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and a prime minister named by
the president share executive power. As a reflection of Niger's increasing population, the unicameral National Assembly was
expanded in 2004 to 113 deputies elected for a 5 year term under a majority system of representation. Political parties must attain
at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature.
Niger's new constitution restores the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in
which the President of the Republic is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and a prime minister, named by the
president, share executive power however it was suspended on 19 February 2010 by the Council For the Restoration of
Democracy which toppled the government in a coup d'etat. A presidential election was held on 31 January 2011. The first round
was to be held on January 3 and the second round on January 31, but those dates were postponed to 31 January 2011 (together
with parliamentary elections) and 12 March 2011.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Niger
Niger is head of state and the Prime Minister of Niger head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is
exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The judiciary is
independent of the executive and the legislature.
The current legislature elected in December 2004 contains seven political parties. President Mamadou Tandja was re-elected in
December 2004 and reappointed Hama Amadou as Prime Minister. Mahamane Ousmane, the head of the CDS, was re-elected
President of the National Assembly (parliament) by his peers. The new second term government of the Fifth Republic took office on
30 December 2002. In August 2002, serious unrest within the military occurred in Niamey, Diffa, and Nguigmi, but the government
was able to restore order within several days. In June 2007, a no confidence vote against the government led to the fall of the Prime
Minister Hama Amadou and his ministers.
The constitution of December 1992 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996 and, again, by referendum, recised to the
current version on 18 July 1999. It restored the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third
Republic) in which the president of the republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and a prime minister named by
the president share executive power. As a reflection of Niger's increasing population, the unicameral National Assembly was
expanded in 2004 to 113 deputies elected for a 5 year term under a majority system of representation. Political parties must attain
at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature.
Niger's new constitution restores the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in
which the President of the Republic is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and a prime minister, named by the
president, share executive power however it was suspended on 19 February 2010 by the Council For the Restoration of
Democracy which toppled the government in a coup d'etat. A presidential election was held on 31 January 2011. The first round
was to be held on January 3 and the second round on January 31, but those dates were postponed to 31 January 2011 (together
with parliamentary elections) and 12 March 2011.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Niger
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including
tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to
ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to
ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
None reported.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Niger
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Niger is a republic that restored its multiparty system in 1999 following coups in 1996 and 1999; it has a population estimated at 15.4
million. In 2004 voters elected Mamadou Tandja to a second five-year presidential term in an election that international observers deemed
generally free and fair. The ruling coalition of the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD) and the Democratic and
Social Convention (CDS), joined by four other parties, won a majority of national assembly seats. President Tandja's second--and final,
due to constitutional limits--five-year term was due to expire on December 22, 2009; however, he organized a controversial referendum
that established the Sixth Republic and allowed him to remain in office for three additional years and that eliminated the term-limits
provision, although this provision was specifically prohibited from revision in the 1999 constitution. To consolidate the power needed to
approve these changes, President Tandja dissolved the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court, modified the electoral code,
restricted basic freedoms, curtailed press freedom, and granted himself emergency powers to rule by decree and executive order. In
2007 the Tuareg rebel group Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ) launched a series of attacks against military and strategic installations
in the north. The frequency and intensity of attacks diminished during the year, but the government continued to extend the state of alert
declared in 2007 in 90-day increments until November 26, when the president lifted the state of alert. While civilian authorities generally
maintained effective control of the security forces, there were instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently of
government authority.
Government respect for human rights did not improve from the previous year. Human rights abuses included:
On April 4-6, the government and Tuareg rebels began peace talks in Tripoli under Libyan mediation, which resulted in direct meetings in
Niger and led at least 1,000 rebels to surrender their arms during the second week of October. On November 26, the government lifted
the state of alert it had imposed in 2007.
Claiming he was responding to calls by allies and ordinary citizens to extend his term and complete some of the projects he initiated,
President Tandja organized a controversial referendum and legislative elections after he dissolved the National Assembly, assumed
emergency powers, dissolved the Constitutional Court, suspended related constitutional provisions, and amended the electoral code. The
opposition, trade unions, and civil society organizations boycotted both consultations, arguing that the president's move was
unconstitutional. International, regional, and bilateral bodies also rejected it. This situation prompted a series of demonstrations involving
arbitrary detentions, beatings, and mistreatment of protesters, and restrictions on freedoms of assembly and of the press (see sections 2.
a. and 2.b.).
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Niger is a republic that restored its multiparty system in 1999 following coups in 1996 and 1999; it has a population estimated at 15.4
million. In 2004 voters elected Mamadou Tandja to a second five-year presidential term in an election that international observers deemed
generally free and fair. The ruling coalition of the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD) and the Democratic and
Social Convention (CDS), joined by four other parties, won a majority of national assembly seats. President Tandja's second--and final,
due to constitutional limits--five-year term was due to expire on December 22, 2009; however, he organized a controversial referendum
that established the Sixth Republic and allowed him to remain in office for three additional years and that eliminated the term-limits
provision, although this provision was specifically prohibited from revision in the 1999 constitution. To consolidate the power needed to
approve these changes, President Tandja dissolved the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court, modified the electoral code,
restricted basic freedoms, curtailed press freedom, and granted himself emergency powers to rule by decree and executive order. In
2007 the Tuareg rebel group Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ) launched a series of attacks against military and strategic installations
in the north. The frequency and intensity of attacks diminished during the year, but the government continued to extend the state of alert
declared in 2007 in 90-day increments until November 26, when the president lifted the state of alert. While civilian authorities generally
maintained effective control of the security forces, there were instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently of
government authority.
Government respect for human rights did not improve from the previous year. Human rights abuses included:
- the undemocratic manipulation of the constitution and the electoral process;
- extrajudicial killings and use of excessive force by security forces;
- poor jail and prison conditions;
- arbitrary arrest and detention;
- prolonged pretrial detention;
- executive interference in the judiciary;
- excessive use of force and other abuses in internal conflict;
- restrictions on press freedom;
- forcible dispersal of demonstrators;
- restrictions on freedom of movement;
- official corruption;
- official impunity;
- societal discrimination and violence against women;
- female genital mutilation (FGM);
- trafficking in persons;
- the practice of slavery by some groups;
- child labor.
On April 4-6, the government and Tuareg rebels began peace talks in Tripoli under Libyan mediation, which resulted in direct meetings in
Niger and led at least 1,000 rebels to surrender their arms during the second week of October. On November 26, the government lifted
the state of alert it had imposed in 2007.
Claiming he was responding to calls by allies and ordinary citizens to extend his term and complete some of the projects he initiated,
President Tandja organized a controversial referendum and legislative elections after he dissolved the National Assembly, assumed
emergency powers, dissolved the Constitutional Court, suspended related constitutional provisions, and amended the electoral code. The
opposition, trade unions, and civil society organizations boycotted both consultations, arguing that the president's move was
unconstitutional. International, regional, and bilateral bodies also rejected it. This situation prompted a series of demonstrations involving
arbitrary detentions, beatings, and mistreatment of protesters, and restrictions on freedoms of assembly and of the press (see sections 2.
a. and 2.b.).
Click here to read more »
18 June 2009
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Fifty-first session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations: Niger
A. Introduction
2. Although submitted with a significant delay, the Committee welcomes the frank and self-critical nature of the second periodic report
of the State party as well as the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/NER/Q/2/Add.1), and commends the fruitful dialogue held
with the high-level and multisectoral delegation, which allowed for a better understanding of the situation of children in the State party.
B. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party
3. The Committee notes with appreciation the positive developments related to the implementation of the Convention, such as:
(a) Act No. 2003-05 of 13 June 2003 amending the Criminal Code and introducing new offences, including female genital mutilation,
genocide and the crime of slavery;
C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation
(arts. 4, 42 and 44, para. 6, of the Convention)
Committee’s previous recommendations
5. The Committee welcomes efforts by the State party to implement the Committee’s concluding observations on the State party’s initial
report. Nevertheless, the Committee regrets that some of its concerns and recommendations have been insufficiently or only partly
addressed, including those related to the allocation of resources, the minimum age for marriage, birth registration, corporal punishment,
informal adoptions, street children, as well as child abuse and neglect.
6. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to address those recommendations from the concluding
observations of the initial report that have not yet been implemented or sufficiently implemented, and to provide adequate follow-up to the
recommendations contained in the present concluding observations on the second periodic report.
Click here to read more »
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Fifty-first session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations: Niger
A. Introduction
2. Although submitted with a significant delay, the Committee welcomes the frank and self-critical nature of the second periodic report
of the State party as well as the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/NER/Q/2/Add.1), and commends the fruitful dialogue held
with the high-level and multisectoral delegation, which allowed for a better understanding of the situation of children in the State party.
B. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party
3. The Committee notes with appreciation the positive developments related to the implementation of the Convention, such as:
(a) Act No. 2003-05 of 13 June 2003 amending the Criminal Code and introducing new offences, including female genital mutilation,
genocide and the crime of slavery;
C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation
(arts. 4, 42 and 44, para. 6, of the Convention)
Committee’s previous recommendations
5. The Committee welcomes efforts by the State party to implement the Committee’s concluding observations on the State party’s initial
report. Nevertheless, the Committee regrets that some of its concerns and recommendations have been insufficiently or only partly
addressed, including those related to the allocation of resources, the minimum age for marriage, birth registration, corporal punishment,
informal adoptions, street children, as well as child abuse and neglect.
6. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to address those recommendations from the concluding
observations of the initial report that have not yet been implemented or sufficiently implemented, and to provide adequate follow-up to the
recommendations contained in the present concluding observations on the second periodic report.
Click here to read more »
Restrictions on Press Freedom Intensifying
Washington
April 29, 2010
Global press freedom declined in 2009, with setbacks registered in almost every region of the world, according to a Freedom House
study released today. The study, Freedom of the Press 2010: A Global Survey of Media Independence, reported that press freedom
declined for the eighth consecutive year, producing a global landscape in which only one in six people live in countries with a Free press.
Among the report’s key findings:
* Significant declines outnumbered gains by a 2-to-1 margin. Notable regional declines were registered in Sub-Saharan Africa and
Latin America, as well as the Middle East.
* Declines in important emerging democracies demonstrate the fragility of press freedom in such environments. Namibia and South
Africa, two of the new democracies, dropped from Free to Partly Free. Worrying declines were also registered in Mexico, the
Philippines, and Senegal.
* The only region to show overall improvement was Asia-Pacific, spurred by notable gains in South Asia that included status changes
in Bangladesh and Bhutan from Not Free to Partly Free and a numerical score jump for the Maldives.
* Governments in China, Russia, Venezuela, and other countries have been systematically encroaching on the comparatively free
environment of the internet and new media. Sophisticated techniques are being used to censor and block access to particular types of
information, to flood the internet with antidemocratic, nationalistic views, and to provide broad surveillance of citizen activity.
* Journalists are increasingly the victims of assault and murder, a trend fueled by impunity for past crimes.
“Freedom of expression is fundamental to all other freedoms. Rule of law, fair elections, minority rights, freedom of association, and
accountable government all depend on an independent press which can fulfill its watchdog function,” said Jennifer Windsor, executive
director of Freedom House. “This is why these findings are so utterly disturbing. When the Iranian Revolutionary Guards torture a
journalist, or Communist authorities in China imprison a blogger, or criminal elements in Russia assassinate yet another investigative
reporter, it sends a clear message that every person fighting for basic rights is vulnerable to a similar fate.”
While a range of restrictive laws and violence against journalists continue to hamper media freedom, additional reasons for the global
decline include the unique pressures placed on media in countries in the midst of political conflict, as well as intensified constraints on
internet freedom. The globalization of censorship by countries such as China and international bodies such as the Organization of the
Islamic Conference poses an additional threat to freedom of expression, as does the increasingly worrisome phenomenon of “libel
tourism” centered on the United Kingdom.
Sub-Saharan Africa:
The average regionwide level of press freedom declined significantly during 2009, representing the largest overall drop of any region in
the survey. Africa saw two surprising status changes, with South Africa and Namibia both dropping from Free to Partly Free, leaving no
Free countries in southern Africa for the first time since 1990. Meanwhile, Madagascar shifted into the Not Free category. Declines
were also registered in Senegal, Niger, Guinea, Benin, Botswana, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Ethiopia, and The Gambia. Slight
improvements were noted in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sudan, and Mauritania.
Click here to read more »
Washington
April 29, 2010
Global press freedom declined in 2009, with setbacks registered in almost every region of the world, according to a Freedom House
study released today. The study, Freedom of the Press 2010: A Global Survey of Media Independence, reported that press freedom
declined for the eighth consecutive year, producing a global landscape in which only one in six people live in countries with a Free press.
Among the report’s key findings:
* Significant declines outnumbered gains by a 2-to-1 margin. Notable regional declines were registered in Sub-Saharan Africa and
Latin America, as well as the Middle East.
* Declines in important emerging democracies demonstrate the fragility of press freedom in such environments. Namibia and South
Africa, two of the new democracies, dropped from Free to Partly Free. Worrying declines were also registered in Mexico, the
Philippines, and Senegal.
* The only region to show overall improvement was Asia-Pacific, spurred by notable gains in South Asia that included status changes
in Bangladesh and Bhutan from Not Free to Partly Free and a numerical score jump for the Maldives.
* Governments in China, Russia, Venezuela, and other countries have been systematically encroaching on the comparatively free
environment of the internet and new media. Sophisticated techniques are being used to censor and block access to particular types of
information, to flood the internet with antidemocratic, nationalistic views, and to provide broad surveillance of citizen activity.
* Journalists are increasingly the victims of assault and murder, a trend fueled by impunity for past crimes.
“Freedom of expression is fundamental to all other freedoms. Rule of law, fair elections, minority rights, freedom of association, and
accountable government all depend on an independent press which can fulfill its watchdog function,” said Jennifer Windsor, executive
director of Freedom House. “This is why these findings are so utterly disturbing. When the Iranian Revolutionary Guards torture a
journalist, or Communist authorities in China imprison a blogger, or criminal elements in Russia assassinate yet another investigative
reporter, it sends a clear message that every person fighting for basic rights is vulnerable to a similar fate.”
While a range of restrictive laws and violence against journalists continue to hamper media freedom, additional reasons for the global
decline include the unique pressures placed on media in countries in the midst of political conflict, as well as intensified constraints on
internet freedom. The globalization of censorship by countries such as China and international bodies such as the Organization of the
Islamic Conference poses an additional threat to freedom of expression, as does the increasingly worrisome phenomenon of “libel
tourism” centered on the United Kingdom.
Sub-Saharan Africa:
The average regionwide level of press freedom declined significantly during 2009, representing the largest overall drop of any region in
the survey. Africa saw two surprising status changes, with South Africa and Namibia both dropping from Free to Partly Free, leaving no
Free countries in southern Africa for the first time since 1990. Meanwhile, Madagascar shifted into the Not Free category. Declines
were also registered in Senegal, Niger, Guinea, Benin, Botswana, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Ethiopia, and The Gambia. Slight
improvements were noted in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sudan, and Mauritania.
Click here to read more »
Suggested recommendations to States considered in the tenth round of the Universal Periodic Review, 24 January – 4
February 2011
Recommendations to the government of Niger
Extrajudicial executions
*To open investigations into unlawful killings, notably in the context of the Tuareg conflict;
*To bring to justice those responsible of extrajudicial executions, notably members of the security forces;
*To provide reparation for the relatives of victims of extrajudicial executions.
Torture and other ill-treatment
*To give clear instructions to the security forces to always act in compliance with international human rights law, in particular the
right to life and the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment;
*To bring national legislation on torture and other ill-treatment in line with international human rights standards, to amend the 1961
Penal Code to include a comprehensive definition of torture as provided for in Article 1 of the UN Convention against Torture, to make
any act of torture or ill-treatment a criminal offence and to make provision for penalties that reflects the gravity of the act;
*To ensure that anyone placed in detention is brought promptly before a judicial authority and has the option of disputing the legality of
the decision to imprison;
*To draw up a plan of action to eradicate torture and ill-treatment and to bring to justice all suspected perpetrators of such acts;
*To inform members of the police and other law enforcement officers, in unambiguous language, that torture and ill-treatment are
violations of human rights which will not be tolerated under any circumstances and that anyone committing such offences will be
punished as provided for by law;
*To carry out impartial and effective investigation without delay into all complaints and information concerning torture and other ill-
treatment;
*To ensure that all judges, prosecutors and lawyers are informed that confessions and statements obtained other than in the presence
of a member of the public prosecutor’s office and the suspect’s counsel may not be used in support of the accusation before the court;
*To ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Click here to read more »
February 2011
Recommendations to the government of Niger
Extrajudicial executions
*To open investigations into unlawful killings, notably in the context of the Tuareg conflict;
*To bring to justice those responsible of extrajudicial executions, notably members of the security forces;
*To provide reparation for the relatives of victims of extrajudicial executions.
Torture and other ill-treatment
*To give clear instructions to the security forces to always act in compliance with international human rights law, in particular the
right to life and the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment;
*To bring national legislation on torture and other ill-treatment in line with international human rights standards, to amend the 1961
Penal Code to include a comprehensive definition of torture as provided for in Article 1 of the UN Convention against Torture, to make
any act of torture or ill-treatment a criminal offence and to make provision for penalties that reflects the gravity of the act;
*To ensure that anyone placed in detention is brought promptly before a judicial authority and has the option of disputing the legality of
the decision to imprison;
*To draw up a plan of action to eradicate torture and ill-treatment and to bring to justice all suspected perpetrators of such acts;
*To inform members of the police and other law enforcement officers, in unambiguous language, that torture and ill-treatment are
violations of human rights which will not be tolerated under any circumstances and that anyone committing such offences will be
punished as provided for by law;
*To carry out impartial and effective investigation without delay into all complaints and information concerning torture and other ill-
treatment;
*To ensure that all judges, prosecutors and lawyers are informed that confessions and statements obtained other than in the presence
of a member of the public prosecutor’s office and the suspect’s counsel may not be used in support of the accusation before the court;
*To ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Click here to read more »
African Al Qaeda Should Stop Targeting Civilians
Algeria Summit States Should Urge End to Murders, Kidnappings
March 16, 2010
(Dakar) - Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has in recent months stepped up targeting tourists and aid workers for murder and
kidnapping in Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, Human Rights Watch said today. AQIM should immediately and unconditionally free hostages
in its custody and end attacks on civilians, Human Rights Watch said.
The organization also called on foreign ministers from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, meeting today in
Algeria, to categorically denounce AQIM's attacks against civilians, as well as a threat by AQIM made in a March 11 statement to
Spanish Daily El País, which underscored the group's willingness to attack civilians. The threat suggested Spain would be "paid in kind"
in "a war that does not distinguish between civilians and militants."
"Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's crimes against tourists and aid workers should galvanize governments into action to protect
civilians," said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "AQIM should free its hostages and end such
attacks. And foreign ministers from the region should insist that those responsible are brought to justice."
The AQIM statement to El País also referred to "demands" to the Spanish government to secure the release of two Spanish aid workers
it admitted kidnapping in Mauritania on November 29. The communiqué did not specify the demands. A third Spanish aid worker
detained at the same time, Alicia Gamez, was released by AQIM on March 10.
Formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, the group affiliated itself with al Qaeda in January 2007, and has since
extended its operations from Algeria to other North African and Sahel states.
AQIM has been implicated in the deliberate killing of scores of civilians, including the December 28, 2009 killing of four Saudi tourists in
Niger; the June 23, 2009 killing of an American missionary in Mauritania; the May 31, 2009 killing of a British tourist; the December
2007 killing of four French tourists in Mauritania; and the December 2007 twin bombings of the United Nations offices and a court
building in Algiers that left 41 dead.
In addition to the November kidnapping of the three Spanish aid workers, AQIM also recently kidnapped two Italian tourists in
Mauritania on December 18. A French aid worker kidnapped in Niger on November 25 was released on February 23.
Click here to read more »
Algeria Summit States Should Urge End to Murders, Kidnappings
March 16, 2010
(Dakar) - Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has in recent months stepped up targeting tourists and aid workers for murder and
kidnapping in Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, Human Rights Watch said today. AQIM should immediately and unconditionally free hostages
in its custody and end attacks on civilians, Human Rights Watch said.
The organization also called on foreign ministers from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, meeting today in
Algeria, to categorically denounce AQIM's attacks against civilians, as well as a threat by AQIM made in a March 11 statement to
Spanish Daily El País, which underscored the group's willingness to attack civilians. The threat suggested Spain would be "paid in kind"
in "a war that does not distinguish between civilians and militants."
"Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's crimes against tourists and aid workers should galvanize governments into action to protect
civilians," said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "AQIM should free its hostages and end such
attacks. And foreign ministers from the region should insist that those responsible are brought to justice."
The AQIM statement to El País also referred to "demands" to the Spanish government to secure the release of two Spanish aid workers
it admitted kidnapping in Mauritania on November 29. The communiqué did not specify the demands. A third Spanish aid worker
detained at the same time, Alicia Gamez, was released by AQIM on March 10.
Formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, the group affiliated itself with al Qaeda in January 2007, and has since
extended its operations from Algeria to other North African and Sahel states.
AQIM has been implicated in the deliberate killing of scores of civilians, including the December 28, 2009 killing of four Saudi tourists in
Niger; the June 23, 2009 killing of an American missionary in Mauritania; the May 31, 2009 killing of a British tourist; the December
2007 killing of four French tourists in Mauritania; and the December 2007 twin bombings of the United Nations offices and a court
building in Algiers that left 41 dead.
In addition to the November kidnapping of the three Spanish aid workers, AQIM also recently kidnapped two Italian tourists in
Mauritania on December 18. A French aid worker kidnapped in Niger on November 25 was released on February 23.
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
HIS EXCELLENCY DJIBO SALOU,
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY, HEAD OF STATE, AT THE 65th
SESSION OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
New York, September 23, 2010
The world will remember that February 18, 2010, before drifting unconstitutionally imposed democratic and republican institutions of
my country by those in power and the risk of certain serious and disintegration of national cohesion, the Forces for Defence and
Security Niger had been obliged to intervene in the political arena.
This intervention was not that of an army thirsting for power, but the officers concerned to safeguard the unity and integrity of their
country endangered by the Head of State at the time, which by pure selfishness, had decided to skip through a civilian coup d'état, all
laws of the Republic, beginning with the Constitution itself replaced by another which extended its generous three-year term normally
called 's completed December 22, 2009.
It is with reason that our arrival was welcomed by national and international opinion.
At the head of the country since February 18, 2010, the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy we have the honor of
chairing, was immediately set a goal to take all crucial decisions that could ease the political life -the country's social and it is precisely
for this purpose he has built his program of government around three axes:
- The restoration of democracy.
- The consolidation of political and economic situation of the country by fighting against impunity, corruption and influence-peddling;
- Reconciliation of Nigerians;
To return to normal constitutional life the Independent National Electoral Commission established for this purpose has developed and
proposed to the Government and the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, who have accepted after minor revisions, a
timing of general elections and the Draft Budget RELATING in organizing elections scheduled in September.
According to that timetable, the election process will take place from 31 October 2010 to 06 April 2011 and will include the
constitutional referendum, local elections, parliamentary and presidential.
It pleases me to recall here that by Order made March 11, 2010, we decided to make ineligible Forces Defence and Security as well as
those of the Government during the period of transition.
Click here to read more »
HIS EXCELLENCY DJIBO SALOU,
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY, HEAD OF STATE, AT THE 65th
SESSION OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
New York, September 23, 2010
The world will remember that February 18, 2010, before drifting unconstitutionally imposed democratic and republican institutions of
my country by those in power and the risk of certain serious and disintegration of national cohesion, the Forces for Defence and
Security Niger had been obliged to intervene in the political arena.
This intervention was not that of an army thirsting for power, but the officers concerned to safeguard the unity and integrity of their
country endangered by the Head of State at the time, which by pure selfishness, had decided to skip through a civilian coup d'état, all
laws of the Republic, beginning with the Constitution itself replaced by another which extended its generous three-year term normally
called 's completed December 22, 2009.
It is with reason that our arrival was welcomed by national and international opinion.
At the head of the country since February 18, 2010, the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy we have the honor of
chairing, was immediately set a goal to take all crucial decisions that could ease the political life -the country's social and it is precisely
for this purpose he has built his program of government around three axes:
- The restoration of democracy.
- The consolidation of political and economic situation of the country by fighting against impunity, corruption and influence-peddling;
- Reconciliation of Nigerians;
To return to normal constitutional life the Independent National Electoral Commission established for this purpose has developed and
proposed to the Government and the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, who have accepted after minor revisions, a
timing of general elections and the Draft Budget RELATING in organizing elections scheduled in September.
According to that timetable, the election process will take place from 31 October 2010 to 06 April 2011 and will include the
constitutional referendum, local elections, parliamentary and presidential.
It pleases me to recall here that by Order made March 11, 2010, we decided to make ineligible Forces Defence and Security as well as
those of the Government during the period of transition.
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Elections in Niger: the respect of fundamental rights as a roadmap of the new authorities
Monday, January 31, 2011
Under the terms of this release, while the first round of presidential elections coupled with legislative stood Monday, January 31, 2011,
the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organization in Niger Niger Association for the Defence of Human
Rights (ANDDH) have redu public a report on the challenges relating to the protection of human rights must meet the new authorities.
These organizations say they expect concrete action for immediate and fundamental freedoms, the fight against slavery-like practices,
respect for women's rights and economic, social and cultural as well as strong commitments to establish the good governance and
democracy in this country.
"Almost a year after the military coup of 18 February 2010 that deposed President Mamadou Tandja engaged in a headlong rush to stay
illegally in power, the junta of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) project by General de Corps, Djibo,
managed to adopt a new constitution, new institutions and to hold general elections.
In June 2010, FIDH has undertaken a mission to Niger to meet the authorities coup, political parties and civil society organizations to
understand the profound political and constitutional changes that the CSRD was being implemented. During this mission, the FIDH is
one of the few organizations that have met the former President Mamadou Tanja under house arrest, and make an inventory of freedoms
in Niger.
When Nigerians go to polls to elect their representatives, including their new president, the FIDH and ANDDH return to the political
crisis initiated by Mamadou Tanja, the political transition led by the junta in power for almost a year and link challenges and make
recommendations to the new authorities that will emerge from the elections to engage the Niger on the way to restoring the rule of law
and the advent of democratic practices addressed. "
Click here to read more »
Elections in Niger: the respect of fundamental rights as a roadmap of the new authorities
Monday, January 31, 2011
Under the terms of this release, while the first round of presidential elections coupled with legislative stood Monday, January 31, 2011,
the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organization in Niger Niger Association for the Defence of Human
Rights (ANDDH) have redu public a report on the challenges relating to the protection of human rights must meet the new authorities.
These organizations say they expect concrete action for immediate and fundamental freedoms, the fight against slavery-like practices,
respect for women's rights and economic, social and cultural as well as strong commitments to establish the good governance and
democracy in this country.
"Almost a year after the military coup of 18 February 2010 that deposed President Mamadou Tandja engaged in a headlong rush to stay
illegally in power, the junta of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) project by General de Corps, Djibo,
managed to adopt a new constitution, new institutions and to hold general elections.
In June 2010, FIDH has undertaken a mission to Niger to meet the authorities coup, political parties and civil society organizations to
understand the profound political and constitutional changes that the CSRD was being implemented. During this mission, the FIDH is
one of the few organizations that have met the former President Mamadou Tanja under house arrest, and make an inventory of freedoms
in Niger.
When Nigerians go to polls to elect their representatives, including their new president, the FIDH and ANDDH return to the political
crisis initiated by Mamadou Tanja, the political transition led by the junta in power for almost a year and link challenges and make
recommendations to the new authorities that will emerge from the elections to engage the Niger on the way to restoring the rule of law
and the advent of democratic practices addressed. "
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
What future for Assaka and Assakamour ....?
Patrick Chanu, January 18, 2011 - ASSAKER
Dear friends, dear friends
The death of two young French, ten days ago in Niger is first and foremost a tragedy which can only arouse serious and legitimate
emotion.
First, it is a tragedy for the families and friends of these young people, one of them had engaged in a humanitarian organization, but it is
also for all the people of Niger, the Tuareg community and particularly that of northern Niger, which since the abduction of 7 hostages
in Arlit, is too often "accused" of conspiring with AQIM.
We do not want to get into a debate that needs to explain the geopolitical and strategic issues that represent the entire region of the Sahel,
and you are able to form your own opinion by checking information on Internet media ... we particularly recommend the site Temoust:
http://www.temoust.org/
Niger, despite all the resources and riches of his basement, uranium, oil, gold, still ed by the UN last HDI (Human Development Index).
We founded the association ASSAKER in November 2005, after the great food crisis that has raged across the Niger because it was
becoming clear to us that our small gestures and support for a person or a family were largely insufficient ...
There was first and Hama Ousmane Dodo, and dice in March 2006 the village of Assakamour ...
These five years have been marked by lots of happiness, but also sad events and dramas ...
Do not talk about missing persons, who are daily present in our hearts and thoughts, but the situation endured by the whole population of
the region of Agadez since 5 years, to the experience of the association, but earlier still:
- The food crisis of 2005-2006
- The Tuareg rebellion (put on alert for more than 3 years in the region of Agadez) with a deposit of weapons of NJ late 2009, peace
agreements and commitments for the entire population of the region Agadez and more particularly the MNJ Tuareg rebels who have
never been respected by the government Tandja ...
- Flooding of Agadez and the region in September 2009 (today, near half the population lives in Agadez in tents or makeshift shelters
without water, no bathroom)
- Military Coup 2010: Tandja overthrow the government ... but the military has promised to return power to civilians ... which is running
already with democratic parliamentary and regional elections held in early 2011 and the first round of presidential elections at the end of
the month
- New food crisis in 2010 which affected the whole country and more flooding ....
No wonder that in such a context, one encounters more and more crime and people who sell their souls "for a fistful of dollars" .....
But it is unfortunate that the media can instantly equate AQIM and the Tuareg people, who offered in fall 2010 to engage with the
military, to "cleanse" the area without result ..... to date
Today the cry of the Tuareg to the French people is: "Do not abandon us" ...
"The Tuareg people love France and the French ».... "The Tuareg people of France is secured in the tragic episode that it is undergoing
with the hostage-taking and repeated execution of its citizens ... "
Like our friends in Niger and many other associations involved in this country, we could not work in very good conditions these five
years. And if the results on the ground remains quite convincing and quite satisfactory, we still have much to do ...
Click here to read more>>
What future for Assaka and Assakamour ....?
Patrick Chanu, January 18, 2011 - ASSAKER
Dear friends, dear friends
The death of two young French, ten days ago in Niger is first and foremost a tragedy which can only arouse serious and legitimate
emotion.
First, it is a tragedy for the families and friends of these young people, one of them had engaged in a humanitarian organization, but it is
also for all the people of Niger, the Tuareg community and particularly that of northern Niger, which since the abduction of 7 hostages
in Arlit, is too often "accused" of conspiring with AQIM.
We do not want to get into a debate that needs to explain the geopolitical and strategic issues that represent the entire region of the Sahel,
and you are able to form your own opinion by checking information on Internet media ... we particularly recommend the site Temoust:
http://www.temoust.org/
Niger, despite all the resources and riches of his basement, uranium, oil, gold, still ed by the UN last HDI (Human Development Index).
We founded the association ASSAKER in November 2005, after the great food crisis that has raged across the Niger because it was
becoming clear to us that our small gestures and support for a person or a family were largely insufficient ...
There was first and Hama Ousmane Dodo, and dice in March 2006 the village of Assakamour ...
These five years have been marked by lots of happiness, but also sad events and dramas ...
Do not talk about missing persons, who are daily present in our hearts and thoughts, but the situation endured by the whole population of
the region of Agadez since 5 years, to the experience of the association, but earlier still:
- The food crisis of 2005-2006
- The Tuareg rebellion (put on alert for more than 3 years in the region of Agadez) with a deposit of weapons of NJ late 2009, peace
agreements and commitments for the entire population of the region Agadez and more particularly the MNJ Tuareg rebels who have
never been respected by the government Tandja ...
- Flooding of Agadez and the region in September 2009 (today, near half the population lives in Agadez in tents or makeshift shelters
without water, no bathroom)
- Military Coup 2010: Tandja overthrow the government ... but the military has promised to return power to civilians ... which is running
already with democratic parliamentary and regional elections held in early 2011 and the first round of presidential elections at the end of
the month
- New food crisis in 2010 which affected the whole country and more flooding ....
No wonder that in such a context, one encounters more and more crime and people who sell their souls "for a fistful of dollars" .....
But it is unfortunate that the media can instantly equate AQIM and the Tuareg people, who offered in fall 2010 to engage with the
military, to "cleanse" the area without result ..... to date
Today the cry of the Tuareg to the French people is: "Do not abandon us" ...
"The Tuareg people love France and the French ».... "The Tuareg people of France is secured in the tragic episode that it is undergoing
with the hostage-taking and repeated execution of its citizens ... "
Like our friends in Niger and many other associations involved in this country, we could not work in very good conditions these five
years. And if the results on the ground remains quite convincing and quite satisfactory, we still have much to do ...
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
Current situation: Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual
exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country -
an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced
begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone
quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual
exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders
Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Niger is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
eliminate trafficking in 2007; in particular, measures to combat and eliminate traditional slavery practices were weak; the
government's overall law enforcement efforts have stalled from 2006; while efforts to protect child trafficking victims were steady,
the government failed to provide services to or rescue adult victims subjected to traditional slavery practices, and made poor efforts
to educate the public about traditional slavery practices in general (2009)
exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country -
an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced
begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone
quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual
exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders
Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Niger is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to
eliminate trafficking in 2007; in particular, measures to combat and eliminate traditional slavery practices were weak; the
government's overall law enforcement efforts have stalled from 2006; while efforts to protect child trafficking victims were steady,
the government failed to provide services to or rescue adult victims subjected to traditional slavery practices, and made poor efforts
to educate the public about traditional slavery practices in general (2009)
Djibo Salou
Coup Leader and President of the Council for
the Restoration of Democracy
since 19 February 2010
Coup Leader and President of the Council for
the Restoration of Democracy
since 19 February 2010
