NIGER

General Comments - Government Responses

CERD A/8718 (1972)

Annex IV

Texts of comments of states parties to general recommendations I and II, adopted by the Committee at its fifth session, received up to the end of the sixth session, in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 9 of the Convention a/

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NIGER

[Original: French]

22 May 1972

In the preamble to the Constitution of 8 November 1960 "the people of Niger proclaim their attachment to the principles of democracy and human rights as laid down in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of 1789 and the Universal Declaration of 1948, and as guaranteed by this Constitution".

They affirm their desire to co-operate in peace and friendship with all peoples who share their ideal of justice, freedom, equality, fraternity and human solidarity.

Article 3 of the Constitution states: "No section of the people ... may assume the exercise of national sovereignty." Further on, article 6 adds: "The Republic shall ensure equality before the law for all without distinction as to origin, race, sex, or religion. It shall respect all beliefs. Any propaganda advocating racial or ethnic separation or any manifestation of racial discrimination shall be a punishable offence."

Lastly, article 102 of the Penal Code provides that: "Any act of racial or ethnic discrimination, any regionalist propaganda and any demonstration contrary to freedom of conscience and freedom of worship whereby discord among the citizens is apt to be aroused shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of not less than one nor more than five years and by restriction of movement."

As is clear from a reading of these texts, our country has adopted laws enabling it to ensure complete racial equality within its national territory.

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            a/ See chap. IV, para. 99; and, for the texts of general recommendations I and II, see chap. IX, section A, decisions 3 (V) and 4 (V).

With regard to the political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights referred to in article 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, it should be pointed out that the laws and regulations of the Niger do not provide for any special discrimination with regard to the enjoyment of these rights.

It is hardly necessary to add that the penalties referred to in article 102 of the Penal Code have never, so far as I know, been imposed, as our people have long practiced tolerance, hospitality and racial fraternity.

CERD A/9618 (1974)

Annex V

Texts of comments of States Parties to general recommendation IV, adopted by the Committee at its eighth session, received up to the end of the tenth session in accordance with article 9, paragraph 2, of the Convention a/

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NIGER

11 October 1973

Niger, a country in which the different ethnic groups live in perfect harmony, is strictly opposed to all forms of racial discrimination. It would like the United Nations to take firm and vigorous action to put an end to this vile practice wherever it still exists.

Niger wishes to assure the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that it will support any resolutions which the Committee may adopt.

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            a/ For the text of general recommendation IV, see Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 18 (A/9018), chap. X, sect. B, decision 1 (VIII).