Life Sentence of Former Chadian Ruler Marks Victory for Accountability – Freedon House

Tue, May 31, 2016
By publisher
1 MIN READ

Africa, BREAKING NEWS

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IN response to a special court in Senegal backed by the African Union convicting former Chadian ruler Hissene Habre of crimes against humanity and sentencing him to life imprisonment, Freedom House lauds the ruling.

“The court’s verdict is a huge victory for human rights and the rights of victims throughout Africa,” said Vukasin Petrovic, director for Africa programs”, in a statement issued in Washington and made available to Realnews on Tuesday, May 31.

“By pursuing Hissene Habre on African soil, the nation of Senegal, with the support of the African Union, is setting a new standard of accountability for heads of state and other senior officials who ignore fundamental human rights and yet have avoided prosecution for crimes committed in power. Wrong-doers, no matter their status, can no longer count on other leaders protecting them,” he said.

Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.

—  May 31, 2016 @ 18:05 GMT

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