Senegal: Hissène Habré's victims have still not received the reparations due

Hissène Habré surrounded by soldiers after a hearing with a judge, July 2, 2013, in Dakar. © AFP / Stringer

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Four years ago, on May 30, 2016, Hissène Habré was sentenced to life imprisonment in Dakar by the Extraordinary African Chambers for the crimes committed under his regime. But today, the victims have not received any compensation, even though it was provided for by the justice system. In a statement issued this morning of Friday, May 29, they call on the African Union and Chad to respect their obligations.

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With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac

At 73, Abdourahmane Guèye has not forgotten anything about the months spent in a Chadian cell. This Senegalese, a former trader thrown in prison in March 1987, survived the Hissène Habré regime. The extraordinary African chambers and the Chadian justice system ordered the payment of millions of euros in compensation for the victims. But like the others, Abdourahmane Guèye has still not received a cent.

" Four years, four years ... Nothing, no compensation. It's too much ! Among the victims of Hissène Habré, some people have already died. Hissène Habré has property here in Senegal. We must seize them. But I believe that the African Union has not made any efforts with the State of Chad.  "

The exit permit granted to Hissène Habré on April 6 for 60 days was a disappointment for the victims. Senegalese President Macky Sall has assured him that the former Chadian president will return to prison after the pandemic. But when ? Abdourahmane Guèye asks himself the question: " There are personalities imprisoned here who have not benefited from that. How long will it continue? And how many sick people never treated? I am completely discouraged.  "

The Senegalese Minister of Justice indicates that an extension of the exit permit is the responsibility of the judge responsible for the enforcement of sentences. For his part, Hissène Habré's lawyer did not respond to our requests.

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  • Senegal
  • Chad
  • Hissène Habré

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