UN Calls on Niger Junta to Free Former President
Authorities should immediately release Mohamed Bazoum, another political detainee,
- go through: Ilaria Allegrozzi |Senior Sahel Fellow
- Photo: Former Niger President Mohamed Bazoum in Elysee Palace in Paris, February 16, 2023.
Niger’s board of directors Detained since Military coup July 2023.
This month, the United Nations Task Force for Arbitrary Detention, an independent expert body, investigated cases of deprivation of liberty, found that detaining Bazoum and his wife was arbitrary violation of international human rights law and called for immediate release.
This is not the first time that international agencies have realized the illegality of Bazum’s detention. September 2023, Bazoum Filed One case involving his family’s detention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court, a regional court that has jurisdiction in several West African countries. Court rule In December 2023, Bazum and his family were arbitrarily detained and called for release.
In April 2024, the military government of Niger filed a legal lawsuit against Bazum to cancel his presidential immunity in order to be prosecuted for suspected crimes committed while serving as president. In June, the court had to follow the proceedings Failed Meet basic due process and international fair trial standards. The defender eliminates immunity and the government announces its intention to prosecute Bazoum high treason.
The miscarriage of justice against Bazum is consistent with a military military government, which is against political opposition and mediaexpanded Repression measures Crush the objection and have Restricted Monitor the human rights situation in Niger.
Authorities are arbitrarily Detained At least 30 officials from the ousted government denied their due process and fair trial rights. Last October, they Stripping Nine people have associated Bazoum with their Nigerian nationality, depriving them of their legal and social protection. In December, they Arrested Civil society Moussa Tchangari and charged He “invaded national defense.” His trial has not yet begun. Earlier this month, the authorities order The ICRC’s departure without providing any explanation has raised renewed concerns about monitoring of detention facilities.
Bazoum should not be detained arbitrarily. The military government of Niger should work with the United Nations working group and release him, his wife and all those detained for politically motivated reasons.
