Escalating repression and shrinking civic space

In a newly released statement, Human Rights Watch documents a marked deterioration in Niger’s human rights landscape since the military takeover. The organization accuses the authorities of dismantling key democratic institutions, systematically silencing dissent, and consolidating unchecked executive power. Among the most concerning developments, HRW points to the dissolution of opposition parties and independent trade unions, the suspension of civil society organizations, and the arbitrary detention of journalists. Additionally, the junta has criminalized same-sex relationships, further tightening its grip on public life.

Political limbo and spiraling insecurity

The prolonged political transition—now slated to stretch beyond five years—has compounded the crisis, HRW argues. The lack of a clear electoral roadmap has left citizens without representation while the country grapples with persistent jihadist violence. Reports of indiscriminate military operations, including a January drone strike that killed at least 17 civilians at a market, underscore the human cost of counterterrorism efforts. The organization also condemns Niger’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, warning that this move shields authorities from accountability for potential atrocities.