Today ISHR, the West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network and Collectif des Organisations de Défense des Droits de l'Homme et de la Démocratie launched a briefing paper on the situation of human rights defenders in Niger. The briefing paper highlights concerns over laws which unreasonably restrict the right to freedom of expression and freedom of association. The briefing paper also documents reports of the use of reprisals against human rights defenders working on corporate accountability and transparency issues. ‘Niger’s development in its transition to democracy must be implemented on the ground to ensure the protection of human rights defenders, in particular those working on corporate accountability issues’ said Abdoulaye Kanni, Collectif des Organisations de Défense des Droits de l'Homme et de la Démocratie. The briefing paper serves as a submission to the UPR, which will scrutinise the situation of human rights in Niger in January 2016, and is intended to assist States and other stakeholders to formulate questions and recommendations during the UPR...‘While there has been some progress in Niger, the lack of police knowledge of legislation decriminalising defamation has resulted in arbitrary arrest and detention being used to silence journalists’ said Melanie Sonhaye Kombate, West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network. Particularly at risk are human rights defenders working on transparency issues and journalists critical of the government...ISHR urges States to make strong UPR recommendations regarding the protection of human rights defenders and safeguarding civil society space.