Human rights in Niger 'in free fall' a year after coup, rights groups say

Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, addresses supporters of Niger's ruling junta in Niamey, 6 August 2023. AP - Sam Mednick

Military authorities in Niger have committed numerous human rights violations a year after seizing power in a coup, according to a report published Thursday by three international NGOs.

"The military authorities in Niger have cracked down on the opposition, media, and peaceful dissent since taking power in a coup one year ago," Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said in their joint report.