Chad
03.09.01
Urgent Interventions
Chad: family members of a suspected thief arbitrarily arrested, detained and beaten
Case TCD 300801
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Chad.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source that on 22 July 2001 the Deputy-Commander of the Gendarmerie in the Gounou-Gaya Region (formerly known as the Mayo-Kebbi prefecture) allegedly arbitrarily arrested, detained and carried out beatings upon the family members of a suspected thief.
The suspect, Haman Gongong, is accused of having stolen a radio, two boxes of pharmaceutical products and a carpet.
According to the information received, the Deputy-Commander systematically assaulted several members of the Gongong family, causing serious injury. In particular, Zara, Haman’s mother, lost four of her teeth as a result of the beating.
The family members, 12 people all together, were arbitrarily held for 10 days at the headquarters of the Brigade. On 2 August, they were transferred to the Gounou-Gaya prison, where they are still being held without trial.
Moreover, according to the information, the Deputy-Commander also systematically looted the property of Gongong's relatives, including eight cattle belonging to the father of the accused. The Deputy-Commander reportedly stated that he was taking the property as restitution for damage he had reportedly suffered.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of the 12 detainees.
Action Requested
Please write to the Chadian authorities urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the above-mentioned persons and ensure their access to medical assistance;
ii. order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
iii. guarantee an immediate invstigation into the alleged acts of torture, ill treatment and exactions, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law
iv. guarantee adequate reparation to the victims;
v. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
1. Mr IDRISS DEBY, Président de la République
Présidence de la République, B.P. 74 N'Djamena Tchad
Fax : (235) 51 45 01; Tél. (235) 51 44 37; Telex 5201 KD/ 5307 KD
2. Mr NAGOUM YAMASSOUM, Premier Ministre
Primature N'Djamena - TCHAD
Fax (235) 52 20 89 Tél (235) 52 63 41 Telex 5351 KD
3. Le Général de Brigade ROUTOUANG YOMA GOLONG
Ministre de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux
Ministère de la Justice BP. 426 N'Djaména - Tchad Tél./Fax (235) 52 21 39
4. Mr Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF,
Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et de la Coopération
BP. 746 N'Djamena - Tchad Tél 51 50 82 Telex 5238 KD
5. Mr Adéramane Moussa
Ministre de l'Intérieur, de la Sécurité et de la Décentralisation
Ministère de l'Intérieur, N'Djaména - Tchad
6. Mahamat Ahmat Choukou
Ministre de la Communication, Porte parole du Gouvernement
Ministère de la Communication N'Djaména Tchad
Fax (235) 52 60 94
Geneva, 30 August, 2001
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Chad.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source that on 22 July 2001 the Deputy-Commander of the Gendarmerie in the Gounou-Gaya Region (formerly known as the Mayo-Kebbi prefecture) allegedly arbitrarily arrested, detained and carried out beatings upon the family members of a suspected thief.
The suspect, Haman Gongong, is accused of having stolen a radio, two boxes of pharmaceutical products and a carpet.
According to the information received, the Deputy-Commander systematically assaulted several members of the Gongong family, causing serious injury. In particular, Zara, Haman’s mother, lost four of her teeth as a result of the beating.
The family members, 12 people all together, were arbitrarily held for 10 days at the headquarters of the Brigade. On 2 August, they were transferred to the Gounou-Gaya prison, where they are still being held without trial.
Moreover, according to the information, the Deputy-Commander also systematically looted the property of Gongong's relatives, including eight cattle belonging to the father of the accused. The Deputy-Commander reportedly stated that he was taking the property as restitution for damage he had reportedly suffered.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of the 12 detainees.
Action Requested
Please write to the Chadian authorities urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the above-mentioned persons and ensure their access to medical assistance;
ii. order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
iii. guarantee an immediate invstigation into the alleged acts of torture, ill treatment and exactions, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law
iv. guarantee adequate reparation to the victims;
v. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
1. Mr IDRISS DEBY, Président de la République
Présidence de la République, B.P. 74 N'Djamena Tchad
Fax : (235) 51 45 01; Tél. (235) 51 44 37; Telex 5201 KD/ 5307 KD
2. Mr NAGOUM YAMASSOUM, Premier Ministre
Primature N'Djamena - TCHAD
Fax (235) 52 20 89 Tél (235) 52 63 41 Telex 5351 KD
3. Le Général de Brigade ROUTOUANG YOMA GOLONG
Ministre de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux
Ministère de la Justice BP. 426 N'Djaména - Tchad Tél./Fax (235) 52 21 39
4. Mr Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF,
Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et de la Coopération
BP. 746 N'Djamena - Tchad Tél 51 50 82 Telex 5238 KD
5. Mr Adéramane Moussa
Ministre de l'Intérieur, de la Sécurité et de la Décentralisation
Ministère de l'Intérieur, N'Djaména - Tchad
6. Mahamat Ahmat Choukou
Ministre de la Communication, Porte parole du Gouvernement
Ministère de la Communication N'Djaména Tchad
Fax (235) 52 60 94
Geneva, 30 August, 2001
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.