SENEGAL-JUSTICE/HABRE Chad ex-president Habre forced to appear for start of trial in Senegal

Record ID: 146502

  • Title: SENEGAL-JUSTICE/HABRE Chad ex-president Habre forced to appear for start of trial in Senegal
  • Date: 20th July 2015
  • Summary: DAKAR, SENEGAL (JULY 20, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FORMER CHAD PRESIDENT, HISSENE HABRE, SEEN FROM DISTANCE LEAVING COURTROOM, WAVING TO CHEERING SUPPORTERS HABRE SUPPORTERS SHOUTING AND BEING PUSHED BY POLICE POLICE EXPELLING HABRE SUPPORTER FROM COURT (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR WAR CRIMES ISSUES, STEPHEN RAPP, SAYING
  • Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Senegal
  • Country: Senegal
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA104EFEW4W5VLOAG32EQWNQZRP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An African Union-backed court in Senegal forced former Chadian President Hissene Habre to appear for the start of his trial on on charges of crimes against humanity on Monday (July 20).
    Habre had denied the legitimacy of the tribunal.
    Dressed all in white, the former Chad president was taken into the courtroom before the media were allowed to enter and seated in front of the judges' dais.
    Habre was "brought in by force", said a source close to the special court.
    Habre is accused of being responsible for the torture and killing of thousands of people during his 1982-1990 rule in his central African country.
    "Down with imperialism," Habre shouted before the start of the trial, a cry which was taken up by his supporters seated in the court. He was rushed from the courtroom by security men.
    The trial marks the end of a 15-year battle to bring him to justice in Senegal, where he has lived in exile after being toppled in a coup.
    The United States Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes Issues Stephen Rapp said there was hope for justice.
    "One can be frustrated by the long delay, but the signal that it sends to a leader that may decide in order to remain in power to kill people, to kill the innocent, to torture, to commit other crimes against humanity is that they may think they're getting away with it today, but one day justice will arrive."
    A lawyer close to Habre said he would not address the tribunal and refused to recognise its authority.
    Members of Habre's family were in the courtroom but declined to speak to journalists.
    The trial marks the first time that a court in one country anywhere in the world has prosecuted the former ruler of another on rights charges, according to Human Rights Watch.
    The rights body has played a leading role in supporting the victims' case.
    The proceedings are due to last around 3 months and are being heard by a Special African Chamber (CAE) created in 2013 by Senegal and the African Union.
    Habre faces charges of war crimes, torture and crimes against humanity.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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