UN human rights experts demand immediate release of nigerien activist Moussa tiangari
International pressure mounts for the release of Moussa Tiangari
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued a landmark ruling declaring the detention of Nigerien human rights defender Moussa Tiangari as unlawful, calling for his immediate and unconditional release. This decision follows a formal complaint submitted by the International League Against Arbitrary Detention (ILAAD) and sustained advocacy by civil society organizations, including the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.
A timeline of repression and judicial harassment
On December 3, 2024, Tiangari, Secretary-General of Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC)—a Nigerien organization promoting human rights, migrant rights, and democratic values—was forcibly abducted from his home in Niamey. After being held incommunicado for approximately 48 hours, concerns mounted over potential torture and mistreatment. On December 5, 2024, he was located in the custody of the Central Service for Combating Terrorism and Organized Transnational Crime (SCLCT/CTO) in Niamey, where he was placed under arrest.
His arrest coincided with his return from Abuja, Nigeria, where he had attended the board meeting of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a partner organization of AEC. Just days prior, on November 28, 2024, Tiangari had participated in the seventh edition of the “Itinerant Humanitarian” conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. The event focused on humanitarian challenges and the need to uphold international humanitarian law.
A pro-government journalist accused Tiangari in a December 4, 2024 article of making statements during the conference that allegedly undermined Niger’s interests. Earlier that same day, AEC had hosted a critical conference on the controversial decision by Niger’s military regime to revoke citizenship from certain individuals, an event attended by the Prosecutor of the High Court of Niamey and former high-ranking officials, including a former Minister of Justice.
The UN Working Group’s March 23, 2026 opinion, made public on June 23, 2026, concluded that Tiangari’s detention is arbitrary, lacking legal justification, and marred by severe violations of his right to a fair trial. The detention is further condemned as discriminatory, imposed in retaliation for his legitimate exercise of freedom of expression, participation in public affairs, peaceful assembly, and association. The Working Group found that Niger’s authorities violated multiple articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Legal persecution and the erosion of civil liberties
Despite the UN’s unequivocal ruling, Tiangari remains imprisoned at the high-security prison in Filingué. He faces charges including “apology for terrorism” (Article 399.1.17 (bis) of the Nigerien Penal Code), “attacks against state security” (Articles 62 and following), “criminal association linked to a terrorist enterprise” (Article 399.1.19), “attacks against national defense” (Articles 66 and following), and “conspiracy against state authority in collusion with enemy powers” (Articles 62 and following). If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
On May 15, 2026, the appeals chamber of Niamey’s specialized court for terrorism and transnational organized crime rejected Tiangari’s request for provisional release. This decision defies the Ordinance No. 2026-10, which stipulates that pretrial detention in terrorism cases cannot exceed twelve months, renewable once in criminal matters. Tiangari has been held for over a year and a half. His legal team filed a motion on June 19, 2026, urging the court to order his release. However, on June 26, 2026, a retroactive amendment to the ordinance extended the maximum pretrial detention period to four years in criminal matters, renewable once—raising concerns of legal manipulation to prolong his detention.
This is not the first time Tiangari has faced arbitrary detention. In May 2015, he was detained for ten days and charged with “attacks against national defense” and “statements likely to demoralize troops” for reports published by AEC. In March 2018, he was arrested again and held for four months, charged with “organizing and participating in an unauthorized protest” and “complicity in violence and destruction of property” following peaceful demonstrations against the 2018 finance law. In March 2020, he was detained for a month and a half in connection with an anti-corruption protest denouncing embezzlement in military equipment purchases.
Systemic crackdown on dissent under Niger’s military regime
Tiangari’s case reflects a broader pattern of repression in Niger since the July 27, 2023 coup d’état. Civil society space has significantly narrowed, with repeated violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, opinion, association, assembly, and movement. Arbitrary arrests, detentions, and citizenship revocations have become tools to silence dissenting voices and human rights defenders.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders urges Niger’s authorities to comply immediately with the UN Working Group’s opinion by:
- Releasing Moussa Tiangari without delay or conditions;
- Dropping all charges against him;
- Granting him the right to full reparations;
- Conducting an independent and thorough investigation into his arbitrary detention and allegations of torture or mistreatment;
- Ensuring accountability for those responsible.
The Observatory also calls for an end to all forms of judicial harassment against Tiangari and other human rights defenders in Niger. Authorities must uphold Niger’s international obligations, particularly under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which Niger has ratified.
