Chad's Former President To Stand Trial In Senegal
Hector Duarte Jr. - All Headline News Staff Reporter Senegal (AHN) - Chad's former President Hissene Habre will stand trial in Senegal over alleged human rights abuses committed during his eight years reign. Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade made the announcement at an African Union summit in the Gambian capital of Banjul. Habre fled to Senegal in 1990 and denies any knowledge of the alleged murder and torture of political opponents. He was ousted during an uprising led by current Chadian President Idriss Deby. According to the BBC, earlier attempts to prosecute Habre in Senegal were marred by judicial rulings preventing him from being tried there. Belgium then attempted to try Habre under its human rights laws, which allow citizens of any country to face charges within Belgium. Eventually, Senegal referred the case to the African Union to decide where the trial would take place. The United Nations then pressured Senegal by issuing a 90-day deadline in May for Dakar to agree to a trial on its soil. The lawyers of the victims were happy by the decision, but have noted caution. Ismael Hachim Abdallah, president of the Chadian Association of Victims of Crime and Political Repression, tells the BBC, "After fighting for justice for 16 years, it looks as if we may get our day in court. But survivors of Habre's regime are dying, and we can't wait forever. Senegal has betrayed us twice and we aren't taking an |
