Amnesty International has raised concerns over an escalating crackdown by Madagascar’s military authorities on Gen Z activists and civil society members following the October 2025 coup. According to the organisation, authorities are using broadly defined charges such as criminal conspiracy, threats to national security, and destabilisation of the state to silence individuals who express dissent or criticize government actions. Human rights defenders warn that such measures risk normalising arbitrary arrests, detention, and enforced disappearances.
The repression comes in the context of youth-led protests in 2025 that initially called for improved access to essential services such as water and electricity, along with more inclusive and effective governance. Although the military authorities came to power promising reforms and anti-corruption measures, reports indicate that repression has instead intensified, targeting activists, civil society members, and individuals associated with the previous administration.
Amnesty International has stated that these actions constitute violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The organisation argues that the measures appear intended to create a climate of fear while limiting accountability over government decisions, public resource management, and political appointments.
Human rights calls have urged the Malagasy authorities to immediately end arbitrary arrests, disclose the whereabouts of those who have been forcibly disappeared, and release all individuals detained solely for exercising their rights. They have also emphasized the importance of respecting and facilitating peaceful protests, including planned demonstrations on 18 April.
Overall, the situation highlights growing concerns about shrinking civic space in Madagascar, where post-coup governance has shifted from promised reform to increased suppression of dissent, particularly among young activists advocating for better public services and democratic accountability.
