Hissène Habré Case

On 30 May 2016, after victims and the organisations supporting them have fought for over 20 years for truth, justice and compensation, the Extraordinary African Chambers within the Senegalese court system will deliver its verdict in the trial of Hissène Habré.

The former dictator of Chad, charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture, is accused of thousands of political assassinations and the systematic use of torture while in power. Under his bloody presidency from 1982 to 1990, close to 40,000 people were assassinated and more than 200,000 were victims of torture and violence.

Since fleeing Chad in 1990, Habré has been living in exile in Senegal. In February 2013, after intensive efforts by victims and the organisations supporting them, notably including FIDH and its member organisations in Chad, Senegal and Belgium, the Extraordinary African Chambers were created by Senegal and the African Union to judge the crimes committed by his regime.

After 19 months of investigation, during which the investigating judges examined almost 2,500 Civil Parties, the trial took place between 20 July 2015 and 11 February 2016. If found guilty on 30 May, Habré could be sentenced to life in prison.

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