In Niger, the authorities reinstated prison sentences on June 7, 2024 for the offense of defamation or insults on the Internet. A decision denounced by various actors in civil society as being notably “ an attack on freedom of expression and the press “.
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At Niger, defamation and insults on the Internet will now lead to behind bars: the junta of the National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (CNSP) signed an order to reinstate prison sentences for any offense committed by means of electronic communication and likely to disturb public order. Anyone found guilty will face a sentence of one to five years in prison.
This decision by the authorities has sparked a reaction within Nigerien civil society. On social networks and certain Nigerien news sites, journalists, lawyers, activists, denounce pell-mell “an attack on freedom of expression and the press “, ” a legislative regression “, ” a serious setback ” or ” an instrument of repression! »
This order was signed on June 7, 2024 by General Abdourahamane Tiani, president of the CNSP who overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023. But it was only made public on June 12 by the Ministry of Justice.
“ Proliferation of defamatory and insulting comments on social networks »
In his press release, the Minister of Justice, Alio Daouda, justifies this decision by “ the proliferation on social networks of defamatory and insulting comments and the dissemination of data likely to disturb public order “. The fault, according to the minister, is the law adopted two years ago under the presidency of Mohamed Bazoum, which abolished prison sentences to replace them with heavy fines.
Contacted by RFI, the publication director of the satirical newspaper The Unleashed DuckAmadou Garé, deplores “ a real step back ” And ” a threat for many actors in civil society “. Because, according to the journalist, the notion of “ disturbing public order is very flexible » and leaves room for all kinds of interpretation.