URGENT ACTION

ACTIVIST STILL HELD AFTER RELEASE ORDER ISSUED

Activist Sadat Illiya Dan Malam continues to be detained after a judge of the Zinder High Court dismissed the charges of "participation in an insurrectional movement" and "conspiracy against the security of the state" against him and ordered his immediate release on 20 May. The Zinder High Court prosecutor has appealed the judge’s decision.
 
TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

President of the Republic of Niger
M. Issoufou Mahamadou
Palais Présidentiel
Boulevard de la République,
Niamey, Niger
Fax: + 227 20 73 34 30
Email: pneniger@gmail.com
Salutation: Your Excellency 

Your Excellency, 

I am concerned about the continued detention of activist Sadat Illiya Dan Malam, who is the Regional Coordinator of the Patriotic Movement for Responsible Citizenship. 

A judge of the Zinder High Court, on 20 May, dismissed the charges of "participation in an insurrectional movement" and "conspiracy against the security of the state" against Sadat. He instead charged him with a lesser charge of "insult against members political party PNDS Tarayya"’ which carries the punishment of a fine. The judge also ordered his immediate release. 

Despite the release order, Sadat remains detained in Magaria, 80kms from Zinder as a Zinder High Court prosecutor has appealed the judge’s decision.

Sadat was arrested in Zinder (780 kms from the capital Niamey) on 18 April 2018. He was charged 
in relation to protests against the Finance Law that had been organized by civil society organizations in different parts of the country.

I urge you to ensure that: 

•	The charges against Sadat Illiya Dan Malam are dropped and that he is immediately and unconditionally released; 
•	The rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fully respected, protected, promoted and fulfilled in Niger.

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

Since the 2018 Finance Bill, which provides for new taxes on housing, power and other items, was tabled in Parliament in November 2017, civil society organizations have campaigned for it to be repealed for what they denounce as its “anti-social” character. Protests have been organized since November 2017. 

The Bill was passed into Law in January 2018. Civil society organizations have continued to protest against the 2018 Finance Law and calling for it to be amended arguing that it would drastically increase the cost of living and violate the right to an adequate standard of living for many already living in poverty. Five peaceful demonstrations have been organized since November 2017 and the sixth demonstration was banned. A public gathering in support of the Law in March 2018 was not banned. 

In March 2018, civil society organizations held a peaceful rally organized to protest against the finance law, despite the ban against it. The police lobbed tear gas to break up the protest. Twenty-three people were arrested in connection with the protest, some at the offices of civil society organizations and others during the protests.

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: French
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: [01 08 2019] 
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PREFERRED PRONOUN: Sadat Illiya Dan Malam (he/his)

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr43/9527/2018/en/ 

Additional TARGETS

And copies to:

Minister of Justice, Human Rights and 
Attorney General 
M. Marou Amadou 
Boulevard du Djermaganda BP 466 
Niamey, Niger 
Fax: +227 20 72 37 77 
Salutation: Your Excellency 

Minister of State for the Interior Public 
Security, Decentralization, and 
Customary and Religious Affairs 
M. Mohamed Bazoum 
BP 893 
Niamey, Niger 
Fax: +227 20 72 21
Salutation: Dear Minister

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. HIS EXCELLENCY ADO ELHADJI ABOU Embassy of the Republic of Niger 154 Rue de Longchamp 75116 Paris FRANCE (00) 331 45 04 80 60 Fax (00) 331 45 04 79 73 Please check with your section before sending appeals after the above date.