News / Africa

Senegal: Chad Asks for the Extradition of Habre to Belgium

The lawyers of the deposed leader of Chad Hissene Habre, French Francois Serres (L), Senegalese El Hadj Diouf (R) hold a press conference. Senegal has suspended its plan to send Chad's former dictator Hissene Habre back to his own country, July 10, 2011
The lawyers of the deposed leader of Chad Hissene Habre, French Francois Serres (L), Senegalese El Hadj Diouf (R) hold a press conference. Senegal has suspended its plan to send Chad's former dictator Hissene Habre back to his own country, July 10, 2011
TEXT SIZE - +

Chad has asked Senegal to extradite Chad's former president Hissene Habre to Belgium, where he is charged with against crimes against humanity.

Habre has been living in Dakar since he was overthrown by current Chadian President Idriss Deby more than 20 years ago.

Senegal placed the former ruler under house arrest in 2005, after the Belgium government charged him with crimes against humanity based on accusations made by Chadians living in Belgium.

Senegal was expected to extradite the former president to Chad.  But Dakar abruptly canceled those plans earlier this month, after the United Nations warned that Habre could be tortured if returned to his homeland.

In 2008, a Chadian court tried the ousted leader in absentia and sentenced him to death for the torture and killing of political opponents.

A 1992 truth commission in Chad found Habre responsible for the widespread torture and deaths of at least 40,000 people.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

You May Like

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thien Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

Video Washington Week: Focus on Burma, US Government Scandals

President Thein Sein visits the White House on Monday, Congressional probes of multiple scandals are continuing More

Indian Cinema on Mission to Dispel Bollywood Image

The largest Indian contingent to date is on the French Riviera at the Cannes film festival More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one