Amnesty International
International Justice Project

Ten years after a Senegalese judge charged former Chadian President Hissène Habré with torture and crimes against humanity, he continues to avoid trial in Senegal.

Thousands of Chadians were subjected to unlawful killings and systematic torture between 1982 and 1990 when Hissène Habré was President of Chad. Victims and their families have been campaigning for justice for 20 years.

In May 2006, the UN Committee against Torture concluded that Senegal had violated the Convention against Torture by failing to fulfil its obligation to either prosecute Hissène Habré before its courts or to extradite him to another country willing to do so.

The government of Senegal refused to extradite Habré to Belgium where charges have also been filed against him.

In the same year, the African Union called on the government of Senegal to prosecute Hissène Habré “on behalf of Africa.” Four years later, Senegalese authorities have yet to commence the case.

Each month that passes, victims or their relatives die without being able to see Hissène Habré face the charges against him.

Victims should not have to wait any longer. Senegal must bring Hissène Habré to trial immediately.

Please sign Amnesty International’s petition to Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and circulate it to your friends, families and networks: http://www.amnesty.org/en/node/18650