Freedom of Expression/History/Country sources/Niger
What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right?
Niger
Niger’s 1959 Constitution following its independence from France does not have a section for rights, but states in the Preamble: “The People of Niger solemnly reaffirm their attachment to the principles of democracy and to the rights and liberties of man, specified in the Historical Declaration of 1789 and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Community.” This refers to the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which proclaims the freedom of opinion in Articles 10 and 11 of Lafayette’s original draft (American Battlefield Trust). The Declaration was later revised and completed most prominently by Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes, but its emphasis on freedom of expression was maintained (Mark, 2022). The 1960 Constitution of Niger similarly states that the rights professed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen are protected in its Constitution. The 1989 Constitution, however, does gain a section for rights and protects opinion, thought, and expression “exercised within respect for the laws and regulations in force” in Article 13. The 1992 Constitution changes this part slightly and protects expression “exercised within respect for the public order, for social peace, and for national unity” in Article 24.
References:
Constitution of Niger, 1959. World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzne0010&i=1
Constitution of Niger, 1989. World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzne0013&i=1
Constitution of Niger, 1992. World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzne0014&i=1
Lafayette's Draft of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. American Battlefield Trust, Accessed 7 June 2024: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/lafayettes-draft-declaration-rights-man-and-citizen
Mark, Harrison. “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen” World History Encyclopedia, 8 June, 2022: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2012/declaration-of-the-rights-of-man-and-of-the-citize/
“The text of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, written in 1789, translated into English.” Digital Public Library of America, Accessed 7 June, 2024: https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/declaration-of-the-rights-of-man-and-of-the-citizen/sources/889