HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN CHAD, HOPES STATE OF EMERGENCY WILL BE AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE

17 November 2006


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed deep concern today over continuing attacks against civilians and deadly inter-communal clashes in the area of Chad bordering Sudan’s Darfur region.

According to recent reports, armed men on horseback have attacked, looted and burned several remote villages in south-eastern Chad over the past week, leaving many dead and forcing hundreds to flee their homes. Over 180 people may have been killed in these raids, adding to the 140 killed during the period starting on 31 October, information received by United Nations agencies indicates. The attacks compound ongoing fighting between different ethnic groups in the region that mirrors the armed conflict in Darfur.

“I am deeply concerned that the horrendous violence that has been wracking Darfur is affecting Chad”, the High Commissioner said while condemning the attacks. “Action must be taken immediately to stop a full-blown human rights crisis in south-eastern Chad”.

The High Commissioner urged the Government of Chad to protect the civilian population and called on armed groups to stop their attacks.

“It is also the Government’s duty to bring those responsible for the violence to justice”, she added, noting an official announcement on 8 November that the authorities would establish responsibility for the attacks.

The High Commissioner recalled that the Government had declared a state of emergency in the region and in the capital N'Djamena on 13 November and urged authorities to abide by their obligations to respect fundamental human rights and freedoms during this period, which she hoped would be as short as possible


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For use of the information media; not an official record