Niger

The "National mechanism for reporting and follow-up on treaty body and Universal Periodic Review recommendations" (in French- Mécanisme National d’élaboration de Rapports et de Suivi des Recommandations des Organes des traités et de l’Examen Périodique Universel) is a standing mechanism established and supervised by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, within the Directorate General of Human Rights.

INSTITUTIONAL SETUP

Niger's national mechanism is a standing mechanism established through Decree No. 2022-181/PRN/MJ of 24 February 2022. It is under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, more specifically within the Directorate General for Human Rights, Juvenile Judicial Protection, and Social Action, and is chaired by the Director General.

Composition

Chaired by the Director General, it is composed of approximately 20 representatives from key sectoral ministries and state institutions including:

• Presidency
• Prime Minister’s Office
• Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (secretariat)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Health
• Education
• Labor
• Agriculture
• Migration
• National Statistics Institute

The national mechanism also involves civil society organizations, the National Human Rights Institution and other partners during validation workshops.

Secretariat

The national mechanism has a permanent secretariat which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, more specifically within the Directorate General for Human Rights, Juvenile Judicial Protection, and Social Action, and is chaired by the Director General.

Institutional memory and training

The secretariat maintains a documentary database and archives. Outgoing members remain resource persons until successors take over. New members receive training on UN and regional mechanisms, drafting guidelines, and the national legal/human rights framework.

MANDATE

The national mechanism prepares and submits reports, responds to individual complaints and communications, hosts Special Procedure visits, and conducts follow-up and implementation of recommendations. It also contributes to legislative changes and is involved in human rights education, training, and advocacy.

The national mechanism engages with UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures, and the Universal Periodic Review, as well as regional human rights mechanisms.

Process for the preparation of state reports

The preparation starts 3–6 years ahead of deadlines to ensure timely submission.

The ministries and state structures involved in preparing the reports are those responsible for the following issues: health, population, social affairs, promotion of women and protection of children; education; labor, employment, and social security; justice and human rights; agriculture and livestock; migration, refugees, civil status, customary affairs; foreign affairs and cooperation; the Office of the Head of State, the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Institute of Statistics, and the General Secretariat of the Government.

In preparing the reports, the Mechanism may call upon any other person whose contribution it deems useful. It also involves CSOs, the NHRI, and technical partners in the report validation workshop phase.

COORDINATION

The mechanism meets primarily when drafting reports, a process which lasts at least 3 months, with workshops for orientation, compilation, and validation.

Linkages with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals

The national mechanism began cooperating with the SDG coordination mechanism in 2022. The latter is not yet a member however the national mechanism plans to integrate SDGs more systematically into reporting.

Channel of communication with the National Statistics Office

The National Institute of Statistics is a full member of the NMIRF. It provides and certifies statistical data for reports and supports follow-up by supplying data for decision-making.

Channel of communication with the Parliament

The parliament is involved in report drafting and validation. Two parliamentarians (majority & opposition) take part in validation workshops. Parliamentarians also join state delegations in constructive dialogues with treaty bodies and help promote legislative reforms upon return. Awareness-raising days are organized for members of parliament.

Channel of communication with the judiciary

Within the national mechanism there are also magistrates who contribute to report drafting, presentation, and implementation of recommendations. They operates under the Minister of Justice and Human Rights.

CONSULTATION

Civil society, the national human rights institution, the National Preventive Mechanism and technical and financial partners are consulted throughout the process. They provide data, technical training, study visits, and material support during reporting and implementation of recommendations.

After each Universal Periodic Review, Niger adopts a five-year operational plan for implementing recommendations from treaty bodies, UPR, and other commitments. Approved by the Council of Ministers and disseminated nationwide. It also has a National Policy on Justice and Human Rights with an Action Plan.