Chad Human Rights

Human Rights Concerns

During the past two years, tens of thousands in Chad's capital N'Djamena have been left homeless after being evicted by force and having had their homes demolished by the government. These evictions are often accompanied by violence from members of the security forces, and take place without any warning, due process, legal safeguards or compensation for the victims. Many of the victims must live in the ruins of their former houses, or have fled into exile. Many Chadian exiles who are already living in refugee camps in other countries, some of whom are government critics and political opposition members, have since had their homes demolished, and have no homes to which they can return. Amnesty International is concerned that these continuing evictions in the capital are directly related to the current military crisis of Chad's ongoing civil war, and the resulting political pressure on the government of President Idriss Déby Itno. The demolitions began in February 2008, and continued into late July of this year. According to this summer?s on-the-ground Amnesty International research mission report ?Broken Homes, Broken Lives: End Forced Evictions in Chad," forced evictions are continuing, and have been verified as recently as July 2009. Amnesty International analyzed commercially available satellite images, and verified the information by conducting on-the-ground inspections and in-depth interviews. The demolition of thousands of houses in N'Djamena will have serious economic and social repercussions for years to come. Many people lost not only their place of business but also vital tools and materials during the demolition process. The victims are left with no means to support themselves, and no recourse to law for help. Members of the Chadian security forces have total impunity for whatever human rights violations they commit against anyone targeted by the government. Amnesty International is asking the Chadian government to cease all forced evictions, to pass and enforce a law prohibiting forced eviction, to insure that victims of forced eviction have emergency shelter, access to adequate clean water and sanitation and health services, and to respect the rights of victims of forced eviction to an effective remedy, including access to justice and the right to reparations, restitution, rehabilitation, compensation and guarantees of non-repetition. The Chadian government should also conduct a full, independent and impartial enquiry into the role of the police, military and other officials in carrying out forced evictions, and bring to justice all those suspected of having broken the law and committed human rights violations. » Read More

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Urge the Chadian Government to Protect Women and Girls in Eastern Chad
Eastern Chad, which shares a border with the conflict-ridden Darfur region of Sudan, continues to be wracked by conflict and is host to 260,000 Sudanese refugees and 180,000 internally displaced people. The Darfuri women and girls who live in refugee camps in eastern Chad are constantly at risk of rape and other forms of gender-based violence. » More actions

Amnesty International has again raised the urgency of its work on Darfur in an effort to stop the atrocities taking place there, but we need your help to make peace and security a reality. Help us make a difference. Your voice is a crucial part of this effort.  » Get Involved

Darfur Now released on DVD

Darfur Now is a story of hope in the midst of one of humanity's darkest hours - a call to action for people everywhere to end the catastrophe unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. » Buy your copy from our store

Join AI-Canada's Chad Solidarity Appeal

During Amnesty International's recent mission in November, the mission team met with a handful of determined local human rights groups who are starting to speak up, to put pressure on the Chadian government to do more to protect civilians from these mounting attacks. Please, help Amnesty International Canada support these groups. » Learn more

Blog: Amnesty's Mission to Chad

Read the account of Amnesty's November mission to Chad. Mission team members met with local human rights groups pressuring the Chadian government to do more to protect civilians from mounting attacks.» Learn more

Report: Chad-Cameroon Oil Pipeline

An oil pipeline running between Chad and Cameroon threatens human rights. Poor oversight and government instability are putting local communities and the environment in harms way. » Learn More

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