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Amnesty: Agreement Between the Republic Niger Government and the ORA

Implementations

Amnesty – 1995

As agreed in the April 1995 peace agreement with the Organization of the Armed Resistance (ORA), the Council of Ministers of the government of Niger on 1 June 1995 adopted a draft law decreeing a general amnesty for the ORA, the coordinating body of the Tuareg rebels, and the defense and security forces.¹ Under the bill, a general amnesty was granted to people belonging to the various movements of the Tuareg Armed Resistance Organization, the defense and security forces, and to government employees, as well as people who acted for self-defense organizations. The general amnesty was granted for all the acts they carried out as part of the armed conflict and which would have been punishable under the law had it not been for the signing of the peace accord on 24 April.² The ORA, however, had protested against the general amnesty law, which applied to the army as well as to Tuareg rebels.³

The National Assembly unanimously adopted the draft amnesty bill on 12 June 1995.⁴ On 25 July, the Niger government released all former members of the Tuareg rebel movement. The release was in accordance with the amnesty law. Coordinator of the umbrella ORA, Mohamed Abdoulmoumine expressed full satisfaction with the measure.⁵ Number of prisoners released not available.

“Niger; Government adopts draft law on amnesty for Tuareg rebels,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 3, 1995.
“Niger; Government grants amnesty to Tuaregs, rebel forces and officials,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 5, 1995.
“Niger; Tuaregs criticize inclusion of self-defense groups in amnesty law,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 6, 1995.
“Niger; Parliament adopts bill granting amnesty to Tuareg rebels,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 15, 1995.
“Niger; Government reported to have released “all” former Tuareg rebels,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 27, 1995.