BBC: March to free Niger's slave pair

[trebizond]

Some 2,000 people have marched through the centre of the Niger capital, Niamey, to demand the release of two anti-slave campaigners.

Ilguilas Weila and Alassane Biga have spent more than two weeks in custody.
...

The charges relate to a ceremony to free 7,000 slaves, cancelled at the last minute in March by the government, which maintains slavery does not exist.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4562219.stm

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Sorry if this is a dupe, but I thought it was a- to some extent- heartening follow up to the story posted here a few days ago. But what really gets me is the government's "explanation" for the slavery accusations:

"The government says there is a caste system in Niger and members of lower castes have been mistaken for slaves."

Like that, even if it were true, would make it OK! They're not slaves, just members of a social caste who get treated like slaves!

[Deep13]

1. Where did the 7000 come from, ...

... if slavery does not exist?

Fine, free the outcastes instead.

[trebizond]

2. kick

Just in case anybody else wants to further follow this story.