111.
With regard to the treatment of migrants and refugees, Niger respects the Geneva
conventions. Thus, as part of its traditional hospitality and solidarity with all peoples, it hosted
thousands of people who had been turned away by other countries in various camps; they are of
various nationalities, including Sudanese, Somalians, Eritreans, Malians and Nigeriens living in
the north, east and west of the country. Within a few months in 2018, Niger received 45 flights
carrying more than 17,000 people who had been turned away by Algeria. These people are not
suffering any bad treatment and are actually enjoying all the basic social services. Officers of the
UNHCR, IOM and ICRC regularly visit their camps. Many of them have applied for refugee status
with the National Refugee Status Eligibility Commission (CNE).
Table 5: Status of Applications for Refugee Status – 2017, 2018 and 2019
Eligibility Sessions
Designations
2017
2018
2019
Number of Sessions Held
Number of Applications
Considered
Number of Positive
Responses
Number of Negative
Responses
Adjournments
Rejections
Number of Sessions Held
Number of Applications
Considered
Number of Positive
Responses
Number of Negative
Responses
Number of Adjourned
Applications
Source: CNE
1
10
8
437
2
300
Totals for the 3
Years
11
747
6
355
216
577
4
82
80
166
0
0
4
4
1
20
1
20
0
0
Appeals Session
0
0
0
0
11
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
9
112.
In 2018, some Nigeriens and Sudanese benefitted from a voluntary repatriation programme
organized in conjunction with the international organizations and NGOs. Nearly 2,000 Sudanese
from Darfur fled from Libya to Niger.
113.
Everyone living in Niger has the right to move about freely and to choose his residence in
the country. In addition, anyone may freely leave the country if he so wishes and return thereto,
subject to the procurement of an entry visa for non-nationals who do not come from an ECOWAS
country.
114.
The fundamental law offers all citizens enjoying their civil and political rights the right to
freely choose their place of residence and to move within the country. They are guaranteed the
right to enter and leave the country. Any restriction on these rights may only be ordered for a
given period through a justified decision of the legal authority. The right to free movement is also
extended to resident foreigners, on condition that they submit themselves to the national law,
particularly as it relates to entry and residence visas.
33