Habre hearing begins
2009-09-24 14:02
Lagos -The west African court has begun to examine a suit filed by Chad's former president Hissene Habre against Senegal, where he faces trial for crimes against humanity, his lawyer said.
"We filed a suit in October in Senegal against the violation of different articles of the African Charter on Human Rights," Fran?ois Serres said by telephone from Lagos.
The hearing is taking place in Abuja, the Nigerian capital and headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), of which the west African court is an agency.
Habre, who is accused of killing and torturing thousands during his rule, has been living in Senegal since being toppled from power and fleeing his own country in 1990 after eight years in power.
The complaint of Habre, accused of "crimes against humanity", which Senegal is charged with the responsibility of trying, centres on alleged violations by Dakar of some of his rights, the lawyer said.
Importance of the request
Serres said that the court has not yet touched the core issue as it needed to resolve first "a simple procedural problem": whether lawyers of the alleged victims of Habre, who had shown their wish to give evidence, could take part.
The court announced it will give its ruling on the issue on November 17, a lawyer for the victims said at the end of Wednesday's exercise.
Advocate Demba Cire Bathily, one of the representatives of some 120 victims wishing to take part in the trial, stated the importance of the request because they fear that their rights to get justice could be jeopardised.
"It is important because Habre's suit could jeopardise the right provided under the United Nations Committee Against Torture to try Hissene Habre", he said.
International donors
The Chadian former leader has been accused of torturing and killing several thousand political opponents when he was in power from 1982 to 1990.
In 2006, Senegal was condemned by the UN Committee Against Torture for violation of the Convention Against Torture.
The committee in its decision demanded that Senegal either try Habre or extradite him.
In July of the same year, the African Union authorised Senegal to try Habre "on behalf of Africa", a decision accepted by President Abdoulaye Wade.
The "crimes against humanity" trial has not started yet.
Dakar claims it needs 27 million euros (38 million dollars) for the trial, an amount which international donors say is excessive.
Senegalese Justice Minister Madicke Niang said last week that a "round table" would soon be held in Dakar to raise necessary funds for the trial.