KOURÉ ATTACK: NATIONAL COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS THE CLASSIFICATION OF NIGER IN RED ZONE BY FRANCE
The National Commission of Human Rights in Niger has denounced France's classification of the Sahel country as a red zone area.
Following the attack by armed men on Sunday, August 9, which killed eight persons, including two Nigeriens and six French aid workers at Kouré National Park, France classified all of Niger except its capital, Niamey as red under its colour-coded security advisory.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 12, France "strongly advised" its citizens not to travel anywhere in Niger.
"The terrorist threat against Niger, especially outside the capital and near the borders, is very high," it said.
READ ALSO: ARMED FORCES IN NIGER INTERCEPTS SUSPECTED SAHEL TERRORISTS ON TRANSIT TO NIGERIA
Responding to the development in a statement released on Sunday, August 16, the President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions of the G5 Sahel Countries, Pr. Khalid Ikhiri said, "the National Commission of Human Rights reminds the French government, just like the developing countries, that the great nations are not spared from terrorism either as recent history teaches us."
According to him, classifying the whole of Niger as a" red zone" isolates Niger from the rest of the international community, and tarnishes the image of the country. It "also has a negative impact on the enjoyment and effectiveness of human rights, in particular, the right of coming and going, economic, social and cultural rights, solidarity rights, etc.," Ikhiri added.
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