High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the use of deadly force against protesters, including killing with live ammunition. speak in a statement.
Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital N’Djamena and other cities on Thursday, to protest the 24-month extension of the transition to civilian rule.
‘Deadly repression’
About 50 people were killed, including a journalist, and nearly 300 were injured.
“Our office has also received reports of violence by protesters following the deadly crackdown, including attacks on property. We call for calm and for all parties to show restraint,” speak OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
Reports indicate that at least 500 people have been arrested. OHCHR has called on all those detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly to be released immediately.
Protests broke out on the day the army was due to hand over power.
Political transition delayed
Chad has faced a political crisis since longtime President, Idriss Déby, died fighting insurgents in the North in April 2021.
The military installed his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, who was supposed to step down on Thursday, but said he would rule for another two years.
Shamdasani said the OHCHR Chad Office had received information from sources that several hundred protesters, mostly young people, had begun protesting in N´Djamena early Thursday.
Internal security forces used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters.
Respect human rights
The OHCHR reminds Chadian authorities of their obligation to protect and respect human rights, including the right to life, and to ensure that citizens are able to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and important freedoms scores and expressions.
“Defense and security forces must limit the use of force against peaceful protesters and ensure that force is not used unless absolutely necessary and, if it is, comply,” Shamdasani said. full of principles of lawfulness, prudence and proportionality.
OHCHR also urges authorities to conduct objective, prompt and effective investigations into any human rights violations that may have occurred, “including the needless use of force or disproportionate to dispersing protests”.
IOM / Anne Schaefer
Aerial view of N’djamena after heavy rain in August 2022.
Floods wreak havoc
The crisis is looming as Chad faces floods affecting a million people. The heavy rains started in July, and 18 of the 23 provinces were affected.
Several neighborhoods in the capital were completely submerged and people were forced to flee their homes, said United Nations Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric speak on Thursday.
He added that about 465,000 hectares of farmland has been destroyed, which could exacerbate the already serious food insecurity situation in the country.
So far, the UN and its partners have delivered food, medicine, tents, mosquito nets, solar lights and other items to about 200,000 people.
Mr Dujarric said: “The humanitarian community and the Government’s joint flood response plan sought close to $70 million to reach 800,000 people, but so far they have only received 25% of the funding they have received. need.
Partners are ramping up efforts to mobilize resources to reach more people.
