On 8th August 2014, African and international NGOs including the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders issued an open letter calling for the protection of human rights defenders in Niger, stating their concern at the recent arrest of several activists, which appears to have been directed at stifling their advocacy in relation to business and human rights.
Several nigerien human rights defenders advocating for greater transparency and fairness in dealings between the government and extractive industries had been arrested on July 18th during the French president’s official visit. Activists denounced the opacity around business relations between the Niger government and extractive industries, in particular regarding uranium mining contracts with the French multinational company Areva. Although released shortly after their arrest, these human rights defenders are still at risk of being harassed and arrested.
Read the open letter here.