Niger: Update on Case of Civil Society Activist Amadou

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000597 DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND DRL/EA ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - J MAYBURY PARIS FOR AF WATCHER PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI NG SUBJECT: Niger: Update on Case of Civil Society Activist Amadou Ref: a) Niamey 00593, b) Niamey 00584 ¶1. As of August 17, Marou Amadou, President of the United Front for the Protection of Democratic Gains (FUSAD),arrested on August 10 on various inconsistent charges and then finally jailed for "operating a non-authorized organization," remains in custody at Koutoukale maximum security prison. FUSAD informed Embassy staff that the Niamey Tribunal will examine his case on its merits on August 21. ¶2. Amadou's lawyers denounce his alleged "judicial harassment." Several civil society leaders claim that the charges of "managing a non-authorized organization" will not hold. They base their argument on relevant articles of the Constitution, namely: Article 9.1., which states, "Within the framework of the freedom of association recognized and guaranteed by this Constitution, political parties, groups of political parties, labor unions and other associations shall form and carry out their activities freely under reserve to respect the principles of national sovereignty, of democracy, and of the laws of the Republic;" Article 23.1., which stipulates that "any person has the right to freedom of thought, expression of opinion, conscience, religion, and belief;" and Article 24, which provides that "the state recognizes and guarantees the freedom of movement and the freedoms of association, assembly, and demonstration under conditions defined by law." They also pointed out the fact that numerous associations or groups of associations had been created recently without authorization (ref A). In the meanwhile, several international organizations and nations (including the United States) have called for Amadou's release. ¶3. Comment: Amadou's lawyers said they would request his provisional release after the August 21 court session. His appearance before the judge on August 21 would coincide with the end of the opposition's August 19-21 protests (ref B); perhaps the choice of dates for his hearing is intentional, designed to prevent his involvement in rallies or strikes. End comment. ALLEN