Volker Turk, the head of the UN human rights office, argued that the military government of Niger lacked legal justification for bringing high treason charges against ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.
Turk added that Niger’s basic concept of freedom was in jeopardy.
The Niger junta declared on August 13, 2023, that it will charge deposed Bazoum with high treason for his communications with foreign leaders of state and international organizations.
The military authorities have “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the ousted president…for high treason and compromising the internal and foreign security of Niger,” according to Junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane.
According to Reuters, the UN human rights director responded by declaring that the judgment was politically motivated against a democratically elected president and had any legal support since it ignored how democratic institutions typically operate.
“Niger’s very idea of independence is in jeopardy.
“Generals cannot decide on their own to disregard the will of the people. Gun rule is out of date in today’s society.
Niger, a significant uranium producer and a Western partner in the struggle against an Islamist insurgency, has seen its elected government overthrown and Bazoum imprisoned by the coup leaders.
