Amnesty International calls for urgent release of journalist Samira Sabou in Niger

Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, through Sahel researcher Ousmane Diallo, has voiced serious concerns following the forced disappearance of Nigerian journalist and blogger Samira Sabou. She was reportedly abducted from her home on September 30 by masked individuals identifying as security personnel.

We are profoundly troubled by the forced disappearance of Samira Sabou and urge the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her swift, unconditional release. Should the authorities genuinely be unaware of her detention location, they must launch an immediate investigation to ascertain it. Each passing day further infringes upon Samira Sabou’s rights to liberty and a fair trial, while also escalating her risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment.

Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa

Samira Sabou is a prominent activist known for her deep commitment to human rights advocacy and exposing corruption. Her forced disappearance is highly suspected to be directly linked to her fervent activism and recent public criticism of arbitrary arrests carried out by the CNSP.

“Niger is a signatory to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. We urgently call upon the CNSP to uphold its human rights commitments under both national and international law, which encompass the prohibition of forced disappearances and the safeguarding of freedom of expression and press freedom. Furthermore, we demand that they respect and protect human rights defenders, whose rights are enshrined in articles 4, 6, and 7 of the June 2022 law concerning the rights and duties of human rights defenders, as well as by international statutes.”

Additional details regarding Samira Sabou’s case

Samira Sabou holds multiple roles as a journalist, activist, and president of Niger’s bloggers’ association. On September 30, 2023, she was apprehended at her mother’s residence in Niamey by several masked individuals who identified themselves as security forces. These masked men presented professional identification before insisting Samira accompany them into a vehicle, where she was blindfolded and transported to a location unknown to her family and legal counsel. Since her arrest, neither her family nor her lawyer has been able to communicate with her or ascertain her whereabouts. Intriguingly, the criminal investigation department of the Niamey police also claims to have no knowledge of her case.

This incident is not isolated, as other recent violations have targeted individuals merely exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression.

For instance, on October 3, social media user Samira Ibrahim, also known as “Precious Mimi,” received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 300,000 CFA francs (approximately 479 USD). Her conviction stemmed from “producing data likely to disturb public order,” specifically related to a Facebook post referencing Algeria’s non-recognition of Niger’s new government.