The situation in the north of the Republic has intensified since March 2008, again solid. were
According to unconfirmed reports in the villages and hamlets of Dabaga, Sakafat, Tidène Tamazlak and between 19 and 24 March 2008 a total of at least 11 civilians, including children, executed by Nigerien soldiers (some cut throat), to 7 persons have since been reported missing (including four very old men). Next
have sacked soldiers in these towns together about 67 houses, huts and tents and burned afterwards, plus a large vegetable stock, a women's cooperative and numerous gardens. At least 60 animals were shot or deported.
started the new series of violence on Saturday 1 March 2008, when three were killed in Gougaram Tuaregzivilisten from the military. Also in nearby Iferouane the population remained not immune from fear of attack by the army, many inhabitants have left their village. More will be displaced. According to eyewitness reports to the oasis town of Iferouane currently to be deserted on the government troops. In addition, soldiers have begun to cancel private dwellings and to build the bricks from local army barracks.
reports of civilian nomads, according to which wanted to get in Arlit food for their families, it is not currently longer allowed to carry food from Arlit. Persons with purchases from the road Arlit risk in the event of an audit to be shot by the fan (as happened on March 1, 2008, see above).
On 24 February 2008 extended the Nigerien President Mamadou Tandja, on 24 August 2007 for the first time imposed a state of emergency in the department of Agadez for another three months. Since the enactment of the Emergency Powers Act, the attacks have multiplied on the civilian population by the army. On the human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on 19 December 2007, each responding to a report in which the murders and other outrages against civilians are condemned.
Both organizations have called both the Niger government and the rebel MNJ (Mouvement pour la Justice of Nigeria of) to help to take measures to protect the residents, said Amnesty International in particular the observance of article three of the Geneva Convention requires. Further, the Nigerien authorities have been encouraged to initiate investigations of extrajudicial executions and lead to those responsible to justice.
Amnesty link
http://www.amnesty.org/fr/for-media/press-releases/niger-extrajudicial-executions-and-population-displacement-north-country
Human Rights Watch Links
hrw.org/french/docs/2007/12/19/niger17647.htm (français)
hrw.org/english/docs/2007/12/19/niger17647.htm (english)
More Resources
muzzle for journalists
For journalists, the northern region of Niger still restricted area, the reporting on the conflict through national and international journalists the government suppressed and punished with prison sentences.
The arte reporter Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson, which in Agadez district had investigated about the conflict were, on 17 been arrested - December 2007 on charges of endangering state security - what in the Niger as the maximum penalty is execution.
came in January 2008 free the two French journalists against the security deposit of € 15,000. The Nigerien journalist Moussa Kaka, a correspondent for Radio France International and Others (RFI), as well as his professional colleague, Ibrahim Manzo Diallo of the Agadez local newspaper Aïr Info sit still in custody Moussa Kaka, incarcerated since 26 September 2007, despite international efforts including by the RSF (Reporters Sans Frontières) 12 February 2008 a provisional freedom denied. Now it threatens life imprisonment
On 12 March 2008, the FM broadcasts of Radio France Internationale on the Nigerien territory again suspended for three months, this after the station on 10 had broadcast several special programs in March to show solidarity with Moussa Kaka. It is already the second, ordered by the government of Niger suspension, was the first time RFI of 19 July to 19 been blocked in October 2007 for the Niger.
Links
(français)
(français)
issue uranium mining
On 23 January 2008 awarded the Swiss organizers of the "Public Eye Awards take "the French nuclear group AREVA ¬ tion, the award for the" worst of the sub ¬ year, "this as a receipt for its environmentally destructive and hazardous to the health of many people in uranium mining and Akokan Arlit, northern Niger. Two thirds of those voting by Internet AREVA had also been nominated for the "Public Eye Public Award", the audience-negative price of the year.
Almoustapha Alhacen, president and founder of Niger's environmental organization in Aghir Man in Arlit, on his subsequent European tour of the inadequate safety measures to date in Niger's uranium mines and the reported bad health Effects on humans, animals and the environment.
The approximately 45 million tons of radioactive waste, which result in the previously about 100,000 tonnes for the western world's uranium are produced, to this day around unprotected in the region of Arlit, radioactive material is up to the settlements blown away and pollute the water. Radioactively contaminated metal waste from the people in ignorance sometimes processed into cooking pots, or used in house construction.
In 2004, the French independent environmental organization CRIIRAD confirmed at the invitation of Aghir Man in the dramatic situation on the ground: the population provided with water had to 110fachen the WHO (World Health Organization) defined tolerance value loaded. Also in the air to high concentrations of radioactive dust were measured. Letter to all the environmental organizations point, AREVA, however, had responded with denial and threats to close the mines. AREVA plans currently in Imouraren, about 60km from Arlit, a new uranium mine. The contract with the government of Niger has already been signed.
For 40 years, is mined uranium in Niger, the country is now the third largest uranium supplier worldwide, and is still the fourth-last place on the development list of the UN. Today, the Tuareg fight against the sale of their resources, of which the local population, except sustainable pollution and destruction of their environment has gotten to this day.
Link UNDP
more information
, "Winners 2008"
, see "Atomic" - "Where does the uranium is"
films
"Arlit - deuxieme Paris "by Idrissou Mora-Kpai, in German and French available (see also: )
-": (only available in Franz) Pollution durable "by Dominique Berger and Paul Lannoye
( see also)
Niger awards 19 new uranium exploration licenses to seven companies
links to the petition "peace in the Republic of Niger"
(German)
(français)
( english)
