Niger’s authorities must end arbitrary detention of rights defender Moussa Tiangari
Human rights organizations are calling for the immediate release of Moussa Tiangari, a prominent civil society activist and human rights defender in Niger. The Nigerien government is urged to stop weaponizing terrorism charges to silence dissenting voices, according to a joint statement by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT).
Arbitrary arrest and baseless charges
On December 3, 2024, masked individuals claiming to be police officers forcibly took Moussa Tiangari from his home in Niamey, the capital of Niger. On January 3, 2025, the Niamey Court of First Instance charged him with serious offenses including “criminal association linked to a terrorist enterprise,” “attacks on national defense,” and “conspiracy against state authority in collusion with enemy powers.” If convicted of the latter charge, he faces the death penalty.
Following his indictment, Tiangari was transferred to Filingué prison, located 170 kilometers from Niamey, where he remains in arbitrary pre-trial detention. Despite six months behind bars, he has not had a hearing to review the validity of the charges against him.
Silencing criticism under counter-terrorism laws
Three weeks before his arrest, on November 12, 2024, Moussa Tiangari publicly criticized the Nigerien Interior Minister’s decision to revoke the licenses of two humanitarian NGOs. He also condemned the creation of a Niger terrorism database, which infringes on the rights of citizens. Under an August 2024 decree, individuals labeled as terrorists risk losing their Nigerien citizenship.
The terrorism-related charges against Tiangari carry a maximum of four years of non-renewable pre-trial detention under Nigerien law. However, human rights organizations argue that none of the accusations qualify as internationally recognized offenses, as they stem from legitimate exercises of free speech.
Widespread repression targeting dissent
« Moussa Tiangari’s detention is a stark example of the Nigerien authorities’ systematic repression of critics, » said Marceau Sivieude, interim Regional Director of Amnesty International for West and Central Africa. « We urgently demand his immediate release and the dismissal of all charges, which are clearly an attempt to silence government critics. »
Drissa Traoré, Secretary-General of FIDH, added, « His arrest is part of a broader pattern where authorities use judicial harassment to suppress public criticism and consolidate power. » Ilaria Allegrozzi, Senior Sahel Researcher at Human Rights Watch, echoed this concern: « The arrest sends a chilling message to anyone daring to challenge the regime’s authoritarian drift. »
Isidore Ngueuleu, Niger Regional Office Director at OMCT, stated, « Tiangari’s detention is both a grave injustice and counterproductive. For decades, he has embodied the Nigerien people’s call for democracy, sovereignty, and resource independence. A government that respects its citizens would free him. »
Timeline of repression
- December 3, 2024: Tiangari was forcibly taken from his Niamey home by armed men in plainclothes. His phone, laptop, and luggage were confiscated. His whereabouts remained unknown for two days.
- December 5, 2024: He was located at the Central Service for Combating Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime in Niamey.
- March & May 2025: Courts rejected appeals filed by Tiangari’s lawyers to dismiss the case and remove it from the specialized terrorism chamber. Appeals have been filed against these rulings.
- July 2024: Joint statement by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and FIDH highlighted the escalating repression of opposition, media, and peaceful dissent since the 2023 military coup.
- March 2025: Amnesty International reported on the crackdown against former government officials and critics post-coup.
Demands for justice and accountability
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, FIDH, and OMCT have united in calling for Tiangari’s immediate and unconditional release. Activists worldwide have mobilized in solidarity, urging the Nigerien government to uphold human rights and end the misuse of terrorism laws to stifle opposition.
Moussa Tiangari, 55, serves as Secretary-General of Alternatives Espaces Citoyens (AEC), a civil society organization dedicated to promoting democratic values and human rights in Niger.
