Communiqué Posté le 08-04-2021 17:49, modifié le 08-04-2021 08:50 par Tournons la Page
Tournons La Page Niger has followed with interest the latest events leading to the arrest and deportation of the former Secretary General of the Union of Nigerien Schoolchildren and President of the action framework Debout Niger Debout, Mr. Anass Djibril to the high security prison of Koutoukalé. By his imprisonment, he is the last prisoner of conscience of the former president Mahamadou Issoufou.
Anass Djibril was prosecuted for an audio recorded on March 22 in which he called for a virtual demonstration on March 23. The demonstration did not take place. However, he was arrested on March 24 and deported to the high-security prison in Koutoukalé, usually reserved for serious criminals and terrorists. He is accused, as were many activists before him, of "disseminating data likely to disturb public order" according to article 31 of the 2019 law on the repression of cybercrime.
In addition to the fact that this law is absolutely liberticide and allows the State to put in jail activists and whistleblowers, we can ask ourselves the question of the justification of the imprisonment of Mr. Djibril on the basis of this bad law. First of all, one may ask whether calling for a virtual demonstration is likely to disturb public order? Moreover, his call had no effect since the demonstration did not take place, can one imprison someone for something that had no effect?
However, the Public Prosecutor reminded politicians of this last point during the presidential elections, warning them that some of their statements could fall under the scope of this law if they were followed up on. This has been the case on some occasions without them being prosecuted, unlike Mr. Djibril.
This is yet another example of Niger's multi-level justice system, which lets those who embezzle millions and commit fraud go free and throws those who denounce them into prison, in contrast to the famous quote that is clearly visible at the presidency: "all citizens are under the same law. A beautiful window, but quickly shattered when one looks at the facts.
In light of the above, Tournons La Page Niger :
- Calls on the government to cease arbitrary arrests and deportations of activists and all those who carry out peaceful actions;
- Reminds the Prosecutor of the Republic that justice is rendered in the name of the Nigerien people and that every citizen is equal before the law;
- Demands the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Anass Djibril and all the other 400 unjustly incarcerated prisoners.
Done in Niamey on April 7, 2021
The national coordinator
Maikoul Zodi
