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The indictment in Senegal of former Chadian leader Hissene Habre is further confirmation that even the highest representatives of a state can be pursued anywhere in the world for torture and other crimes, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said on Friday. "The message sent by the decision in Dakar is clear," she said. "Those who commit, order or tolerate torture and other gross human rights violations can no longer be sure of a peaceful retirement."
Senegal is a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture, which obliges states to prosecute or extradite reported torturers who enter their territory. Acting on this obligation, the government did not oppose the attempt to file charges against Habre.
A coalition of local and international human rights bodies and nine Chadian survivors of torture filed suit in a Dakar court last week for Habre's trial. Their action detailed hundreds of cases of political killings, torture and disappearances.
Investigating Judge Demba Kandji charged Habre, 57, with torture and other abuses but rejected charges of crimes against humanity. Habre has been living in Senegal since 1990 when he was ousted by the current president of Chad, Idriss Déby.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
