The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Friday, called for Niger’s democratically elected officials to be released at once, following their detention in the July coup.
Türk, in a statement, urged the generals to restore constitutional order immediately.
The UN rights chief, however, expressed grave concerns for the people of Niger.
“The people have already been through so much hardship over the years. Now, the very people who they elected to build a pathway to end their destitution have been removed by force,” he said.
Türk also raised concerns about the announced decision by Niger’s military leaders to prosecute President Mohamed Bazoum and others working with him for high treason.
“This decision is not only politically motivated against a democratically elected president but has no legal basis as the normal functioning of democratic institutions have been cast aside.
“The very notion of freedoms in Niger is at stake. Generals cannot take it upon themselves to defy – at a whim – the will of the people.
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“Rule-by-gun has no place in today’s world,” said the High Commissioner.
The message comes as the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) called for a humanitarian corridor out of Niger to be established urgently, for stranded migrants.
This call was echoed by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative on the ground, Stefano Savi.
He called for a reopening of the border so that humanitarian supplies and more urgently needed humanitarian staff could be admitted to meet rising needs.
