Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of ten relatives of opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djerou, who remain detained despite their acquittal. The organization urges transparency regarding the convictions of other individuals and adherence to fair trial rights. The continuing detention of political activists in degrading conditions highlights severe human rights violations in Chad, necessitating urgent international attention and reform by the authorities.
The Chadian authorities are urged by Amnesty International to release ten individuals related to opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djerou, who were acquitted of charges following an attack on his political party’s headquarters. Despite their acquittal in July 2024, these individuals remain incarcerated in Koro Toro maximum security prison. Amnesty International also demands clarity on the convictions of 14 others, whose appeals must align with both national and international human rights regulations, in addition to their transfer to detention facilities in N’Djamena.
The detainees, including minors and individuals with chronic medical conditions, face inhumane treatment inside Koro Toro, isolated from families and lacking legal support until their initial hearings. Samira Daoud, the Regional Director for West and Central Africa at Amnesty International, condemned the detention of these acquitted individuals as a blatant violation of their rights and indicative of broader repression against political opposition in Chad, recalling prior incidents of violence against demonstrators in October 2022. Daoud states, “To keep 10 people locked up in Koro Toro prison, despite their acquittal, is a clear case of arbitrary detention, and a violation of national and international human rights law.”
Furthermore, the organization highlights that the rights of 14 others convicted in the related case must be fully respected, emphasizing the right to a fair trial and adequate legal representation. Reports indicate that another PSF leader, Robert Gam, remains incommunicado following his arrest, prompting concerns for his safety and demands for his release without charges.
This situation follows the military attack on PSF headquarters, which resulted in Djerou’s death and subsequent accusations against PSF supporters of perpetrating violence against government entities. A promised international investigation by the former Prime Minister has yet to yield public results, escalating calls for accountability and justice amidst continuing crackdowns on political dissent in Chad.
The context surrounding this situation involves the assassination of Yaya Dillo Djerou, president of the Socialist Party without Borders (PSF), during a military raid on the party’s headquarters in February 2024. The raid has been characterized as a targeted attack, leading to the detention of supporters whom the authorities accuse of violent action against government facilities. This ongoing crisis reflects a troubling pattern of human rights abuses by the Chadian government against political opposition, particularly since critical demonstrations and incidents in October 2022. Amnesty International calls for adherence to human rights standards, highlighting the arbitrary nature of detaining individuals who have been acquitted by a court. The organization emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding charges against convicts and the immediate need for the fair treatment of all detained individuals. In light of the continuing suppression of dissent, the plight of those associated with Djerou’s party has heightened scrutiny on the Chadian authorities’ respect for legal processes and human rights obligations.
In summary, the situation in Chad concerning the detention of relatives associated with the late opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djerou calls for immediate government action to rectify human rights violations. Amnesty International’s demands for the release of acquitted individuals, clarity regarding the legal status of convicted persons, and the ensuring of fair trial rights reflect broader concerns about governmental repression in Chad. Reinstating respect for human rights is crucial for the future of political discourse in the country, where ongoing struggles against oppression remain prevalent.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
