Human rights and other nongovernmental organizations have been allowed to operate more freely since Wanke took power. However, the publisher of the weekly Le Democrate newspaper, Bory Seyni, was briefly detained in December 1999 over a published interview with the widow of the late president. She called Wanke the prime suspect in my husband s assassination. Islamic conservatives have squelched moves to amend portions of the legal code most discriminatory against women. A number of laws and the practice of proxy voting by husbands for their wives appear to contradict constitutional guarantees.
Women also suffer extensive societal discrimination.
Family law gives women inferior status in property, inheritance, and divorce rights. Domestic violence against women is reportedly widespread. The Wanke government ratified an international convention against discrimination against women, angering Islamic conservative groups in the country in August. One woman won a seat in the new parliament out of the 28 who contested. Notice of intent must be given and negotiations attempted before a strike is legal, and workers can be required to provide essential services.