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The Case Against Hissène Habré, an "African Pinochet" Press Releases Chad/Senegal: Victims Charge Habré With Crimes Against Humanity (Dakar, September 16, 2008) – Fourteen abuse victims, backed by a coalition of African and international rights groups, today filed complaints with a Senegalese prosecutor accusing the former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré of crimes against humanity and torture. September 16, 2008 Press Release Chad/Senegal: Q and A on the Hissène Habré Case (Brussels, September 16, 2008) – Questions and answers on the Habré case. September 16, 2008 Press Release Senegal: Government Amends Constitution to Pave Way for Hissène Habré Trial (Brussels, July 23, 2008) – Senegal’s adoption today of a constitutional amendment confirming that Senegalese courts can prosecute past crimes against humanity lifts any legal obstacles to the trial of former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré, Human Rights Watch said today. July 23, 2008 Press Release African Union: Use Summit to Press Senegal on Hissène Habré Trial (Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, June 23, 2008) – During its upcoming summit, the African Union should ask Senegal to explain why little progress has been made in the two years since it mandated Senegal to prosecute former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré, eight human rights organizations said today. June 23, 2008 Press Release Senegal: UN Decision on Hissène Habré Flouted (Geneva, May 16, 2008) – Two years after a United Nations committee requested that Senegal prosecute or extradite the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, no action has been taken, six human rights organizations said today. Habré fled to Senegal after he was deposed in 1990. May 16, 2008 Press Release Open letter to the international and African communities from the International Committee for the Fair Trial of Hissène Habré (N’Djamena, Brussels, Dakar, April 15, 2008) - We write to draw your attention to Senegal’s long delay in opening proceedings against the former President of Chad, Hissène Habré. We appeal to the African and international communities to encourage Senegal to discharge the mandate it was given by the African Union, and to respect the decision issued by the United Nations Committee against Torture almost two years ago, calling for the trial of Hissène Habré. April 15, 2008 Press Release EU to Aid Senegal in Preparing Hissène Habré’s Trial (Dakar, January 19, 2008) – The arrival of a European Union delegation in Dakar on Monday to assist Senegal in preparing the trial of Hissène Habré will boost efforts to bring the former Chadian dictator to justice, a group of African and international human rights organizations said today. January 19, 2008 Press Release Senegal Failing to Act on Trial of Hissène Habré (Ndjamena, Chad / Dakar, Senegal – One year after Senegal agreed to an African Union request that it prosecute Hissène Habré, it has not moved forward or even presented a plan for the investigation and trial of the former Chadian dictator, Chadian and Senegalese activists said today. June 30, 2007 Press Release Senegal: EU Parliament Calls for Support of Hissène Habré Trial Brussels, Belgium - The European Union should quickly implement the European Parliament’s resolution calling for EU assistance to Senegal for preparing the trial of Hissène Habré, the exiled former Chadian dictator accused of crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said today. April 26, 2007 Press Release Senegal: Speed Up Trial of Chadian Ex-Dictator Brussels, Belgium - Six months after Senegal agreed to an African Union request that it prosecute Chad's former dictator, it has moved very slowly in bringing Hissène Habré to trial on charges of crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. January 26, 2007 Press Release Senegal Names Commission to Prepare Trial of Hissène Habré Brussels, Belgium - The Senegalese government’s announcement that it will establish a commission to prepare the trial of the exiled former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, is an important step towards justice, Human Rights Watch said today. November 2, 2006 Press Release African Union: Senegal Agrees to Try Hissène Habré Banjul, Gambia – Senegal’s decision to prosecute the exiled former dictator of Chad, in response to a request by the African Union, is a turning point in the long campaign to bring Hissène Habré to justice, Human Rights Watch said today. July 2, 2006 Press Release African Union Summit: Hissène Habré must be tried Banjul, Gambia – The African Union Assembly must call on Senegal to fulfill its international legal commitments and ensure that the exiled former president of Chad, Hissène Habré, is promptly tried for the crimes of which he is accused, the Campaign Against Impunity said today. June 29, 2006 Press Release African Union: Senegal Must Make Habré Face Justice New York, U.S.A. – The African Union must call on Senegal to fulfill its legal commitments and ensure that the exiled former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, is brought to justice, Human Rights Watch said today. An A.U. legal panel begins meeting today in Addis Ababa to study how the Habré case should be handled. May 22, 2006 Press Release Senegal: U.N. Calls for Trial of Ex-Chad Dictator Brussels, Belgium – The United Nations’ top anti-torture body has rebuked Senegal for failing to bring Chad’s exiled former dictator Hissène Habré to justice, Human Rights Watch said today. The panel requested Senegal to prosecute Habré in Senegal, or extradite him to stand trial in Belgium or elsewhere. May 19, 2006 Press Release Chad: European Parliament Calls for Trial of Hissène Habré Brussels, Belgium - The European Parliament today called on Senegal to bring Hissène Habré to trial or extradite the former dictator of Chad to Belgium, where he is wanted to stand to trial. Habré’s victims and their supporters cheered the European Parliament’s decision. March 16, 2006 Press Release A.U. Summit: Experts to Study Habré Case Khartoum, Sudan - The African Union today decided to create a group of legal experts to recommend where and how Hissène Habré, the exiled former dictator of Chad, should be tried. The expert group is to report back at the next A.U. Summit in June. January 24, 2006 Press Release A.U. Summit: African NGOs Urge Justice in Habré Case Nairobi, Kenya - As the African Union prepares to take up the case of Hissène Habré, thirty-five leading civil society groups from across Africa have urged A.U. leaders to recommend the extradition of the former Chadian dictator to Belgium, where he is wanted to face trial for crimes against humanity, or to arrange his prompt and fair trial in Africa. January 16, 2006 Press Release Also available in 
2005 African Union: Support Habré’s Extradition to Belgium Brussels,Belgium - Now that Senegal has placed the case of Hissène Habré in the hands of the African Union, African leaders should recommend the extradition of the former Chadian dictator to Belgium, where he is wanted to stand trial for crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said today in a study of the various options for bringing Habré to justice. December 9, 2005 Press Release Also available in
Options for Hissène Habré to Face Justice The president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, has asked the January 2006 summit of the African Union (A.U.) to recommend "the competent jurisdiction" for the trial of former Chadian President Hissène Habré, who is accused of thousands of political killings, systematic torture, and violent campaigns against different ethnic groups. December 9, 2005 Press Release Also available in
Senegal Places Crimes of Ex-Chad Dictator in Hands of African Union Dakar, Senegal – In the wake of Senegal’s announcement that it would place the case of former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré in the hands of the African Union (AU), Human Rights Watch insisted on Senegal’s legal obligation to prosecute or extradite Habré and called on the AU to recommend Habré’s extradition to Belgium, where he is wanted to stand trial for the most serious crimes. November 27 2005 Press Release Also available in
No Decision on Extradition of Ex-Chad Dictator Dakar, Senegal - In the wake of today’s ruling by a Senegalese court that it had no jurisdiction to rule on the extradition of Chad's exiled former dictator, Hissène Habré, Human Rights Watch called on Senegal’s president to proceed with Habré’s extradition to Belgium, where he is wanted to stand trial on atrocity charges. November 25, 2005 Press Release Also available in
Senegal: Ex-Dictator of Chad Arrested Dakar, Senegal - Today Senegal arrested the former Chadian dictator, Hissène Habré, on an international arrest warrant from Belgium for atrocities committed during his eight-year rule. The Senegalese government must now fulfill its international legal obligations to extradite Habré to face trial in Belgium, Human Rights Watch said. November 15, 2005 Press Release Also available in
Ex-Chad Dictator Indicted in Belgium A Belgian judge has issued an international arrest warrant charging Chad’s former dictator Hissène Habré with atrocities during his 1982-90 rule. Habré, known as an “African Pinochet,” lives in exile in Senegal, where he was indicted five years ago before courts ruled that he could not be tried there. Belgium is now formally seeking Habré’s extradition from Senegal to stand trial. September 29, 2005 Press Release Also available in
Bringing a Dictator to Justice The most brutal U.S.-backed dictator you’ve never heard of—Hissène Habré of Chad—has just been indicted in Belgium on charges of mass murder and torture. His indictment was a decisive breakthrough in a judicial chess game pitting the former central African dictator against a Chadian torture victim who did not give up and a New York “dictator hunter" at Human Rights Watch. September 29, 2005 Background Briefing Q and A on the Prosecution of Hissène Habré Why is Hissène Habré being prosecuted in Belgium? Habré lives in Senegal, where he was indicted in 2000 on charges of torture and crimes against humanity. Senegalese appeals courts ruled, however, that he could not be tried in Senegal for crimes allegedly committed in Chad. Twenty-one victims, including three Belgian citizens, meanwhile filed charges against Habré in Belgium, under that country’s “universal jurisdiction” law which allowed Belgium to prosecute certain atrocities no matter where they were committed. September 29, 2005 Background Briefing Also available in
Chad: Government Promises Justice for Victims of ex-Dictator The Chadian government has declared that it will remove all the accomplices of Chad’s former dictator, Hissène Habré (1982-1990), from government jobs in the central African country, Human Rights Watch said today. August 24, 2005 Press Release Chad: Habré Henchmen Ousted Six accomplices of Chad’s former dictator, Hissène Habré, have been removed from state security jobs in the Central African country in the last week, Human Rights Watch said today. August 12, 2005 Press Release Also available in
Chad: Ex-Dictator’s Accomplices Still Wield Power Hissène Habré’s Victims Still Seek Recognition, Compensation Nearly fifteen years after the fall of Chad’s brutal Cold War dictator, Hissène Habré, dozens of his henchmen still hold positions of power in the West African country, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. July 12, 2005 Press Release  Chadian “Feared torturer” removed from UN mission in Côte d’Ivoire (Français) Victim Leads Fight to Try Ex-Dictator Hissène Habré One of Chad’s “most feared torturers,” was recalled this week from the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) after a complaint to the UN by Human Rights Watch, said Reed Brody, the group’s special counsel. Mahamat Djibrine had been working in ONUCI’s civilian police contingent until the government of Chad withdrew him. January 21, 2005 Press Release 2003 Chadian Activist Fired by International Agency (Français) Victim Leads Fight to Try Ex-Dictator Hissène Habré Souleymane Guengueng, a torture victim and award-winning human rights activist from Chad, has been fired from his position with the World Bank-backed Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Human Rights Watch said today. The Commission apparently took the measure in reprisal for his campaign to bring to justice the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré. September 30, 2003 Press Release Belgium: Anti-Atrocity Law Limited But Case Against ex-Chad Dictator Can Move Forward Today's vote in the Belgian Parliament to amend Belgium's landmark anti-atrocity law will create political and diplomatic hurdles to the prosecution of many human rights crimes, Human Rights Watch said today. Some key cases which had been stalled, however, including that against Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré, will now move forward. April 5, 2003 Press Release Belgian Ruling Key Precedent for Human Rights Green-lights Case against ex-Chad Dictator The Belgian Supreme Court decision permitting an inquiry into the 1982 massacre of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla is a landmark step for international law, Human Rights Watch said today. The decision will also allow a number of other cases pending in Belgium to move forward, including that of former Chadian dictator Hissne HabrŽ. February 13, 2003 Press Release Belgium: War-Crimes Move Supported Today's vote by the Justice Commission of the Belgian Senate should give an important impetus to the international prosecution of the worst human rights crimes, six leading human rights organizations said today. The Commission approved amendments to preserve Belgium's landmark anti-atrocity law. January 22, 2003 Press Release Belgium: Questions And Answers on the "Anti-Atrocity" Law The Belgian Parliament is currently considering amendments to Belgium's 1993 war-crimes legislation, known as the "anti-atrocity" or "universal jurisdiction" law. The Belgian law, which permits prosecutions in Belgium for atrocities committed abroad, has been severely curtailed by restrictive judicial decisions. The amendments passed today would restore the law to its original scope. January 22, 2003 Background Briefing Download Here 2002 Chad Lifts Immunity of Ex-Dictator Green Light to Prosecute Hissène Habré in Belgium (Brussels, December 5, 2002) - The Chadian government's waiver of former President Hissène Habré's immunity will help pave the way for his prosecution on atrocity charges in Belgium, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch to Honor Africa Justice Activist (New York, November 7, 2002) On November 13, Human Rights Watch will give its highest recognition to Souleymane Guengueng, a torture victim who leads the campaign to bring the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, to justice. Guengueng’s pioneering effort seeks to break the cycle of impunity on the war-torn African continent. Belgian Judge Visits Chad to Probe Crimes of Ex-Dictator Hissène Habré En Français (Brussels, February 26, 2002) A Belgian judge leaves for Chad today to pursue his investigation of Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré. Habré, known as an "African Pinochet," lives in exile in Senegal, where he was indicted last year on charges of crimes against humanity and torture before courts ruled that he could not be tried there. Lawyer For Victims Of Ex-Chad Dictator Honored (New York, January 17, 2002) Human Rights Watch today hailed the announcement that Jacqueline Moudeïna, a lawyer from Chad who was almost killed because of her work on behalf of torture victims, had received the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. 2001 Senegal's Position on Ex-Chad Dictator Welcomed (New York, September 27 2001) Human Rights Watch welcomes the position taken by the President of Senegal. The President's statements indicate that Senegal intends to respect the request made by the United Nations Committee against Torture several months ago, and reiterated recently by high UN officials. United Nations Asks Senegal to Hold Ex-Chad Dictator (April 23, 2001) The United Nations Committee against Torture has called on Senegal not to allow Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré, to leave the country, the lawyer for his victims revealed today. Senegal Bars Charges Against Ex Chad Dictator (Dakar, Senegal - March 20, 2001) Senegal's highest court today ruled that Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré, could not stand trial on torture charges because his alleged crimes were not committed in Senegal. Decision on Ex-Chad Dictator Due (Dakar, Senegal - February 20, 2001) Senegal's highest court is to rule March 6 on whether Chad's exiled former president, Hissène Habré, should stand trial in Senegal on torture charges. Habré was indicted last February, but in July an appeals court dismissed the charges, arguing that Senegal had no jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed in Chad. 2000 Chad: Hissène Habré's Victims Demand Justice (N'Djaména, Chad - October 26, 2000) In N'Djaména today, 17 victims lodged criminal complaints for torture, murder, and "disappearance" against members of the political police that operated under the regime of Hissène Habré (1982-1990). Senegal President Urged to Back Rights Prosecution (New York - September 5, 2000) As Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade visits New York today, Human Rights Watch urges him to seek the re-instatement of torture charges against the exiled Chadian dictator Hissene Habré. The case against Habré, labeled the "African Pinochet," is seen as a human rights landmark. Senegal Actions on Ex-Chad Dictator Deplored (Dakar, Senegal - July 4, 2000) A Senegalese court today dismissed torture charges against the exiled Chadian dictator Hissene Habre. The decision came after a panel headed by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade removed the judge investigating the case and promoted the head of the Indicting Chamber (Chambre d'Accusation) which issued today's ruling. Case Against ex-Chad Dictator Debated (Dakar, Senegal - May 16, 2000) A Senegalese court today announced that it would render a decision on June 15 on the exiled dictator of Chad, Hissein Habre, who has been indicted here on torture charges. The court will rule on Habre's motion to dismiss the case. Crimes of Ex-Chad Dictator Detailed (Dakar, Senegal - May 12, 2000) A French doctor who treated hundreds of Chadian torture victims and the president of Chad's truth commission will give testimony before a Senegalese court next week in the case against the exiled dictator of Chad, Hissein Habre. The court will also hear from three former detainees who were mistreated in Habre's jails, human rights organizations announced today. Senegal Must Try Ex-Chad Dictator (Dakar, Senegal - May 10, 2000) On the eve of a key court hearing in the prosecution of the former dictator of Chad, Hissein Habre, human rights organizations stressed Senegal's legal obligation to bring Habre to justice. Ex-Chad Dictator Indicted in Senegal (Dakar, Senegal – February 3, 2000) A Senegalese court today indicted the exiled dictator of Chad, Hissein Habre, on torture charges, and placed him under house arrest. Senegal Opens Investigation Against Ex-Chad Dictator (Dakar, Senegal - January 28, 2000) A Senegalese prosecutor today gave the green light to a judicial investigation of Hissein Habre, the exiled dictator of Chad, accused of torture and crimes against humanity. The move opens the way for a judge to hear the testimony of Chadian victims on Friday and could lead to the indictment of Habre as early as Monday. Le Senegal Senegal Urged to Arrest Ex-Chad Dictator (Dakar, Senegal – January 26, 2000) A coalition of human rights groups today urged a Senegalese court to arrest the former dictator of Chad, Hissein Habre. |
 Hissène Habré Ex-Dictator of Chad, after his indictment in Senegal in 2000. (Photo Doudou Sall) |
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