Source: Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict |

UN Special Representative welcomes conviction of former Chad President Hissène Habré for crimes against humanity including rape and sexual slavery.

NEW YORK, United States of America, May 31, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ --

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, welcomes today’s judgment against former Chad President Hissène Habré, who was convicted of crimes against humanity, including rape and sexual slavery.

“I welcome the ruling of the Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal that convicted former Chad President Hissène Habré of crimes against humanity for sexual violence crimes. It represents an important milestone for international criminal justice in Africa and holding former heads of state to account for sexual violence crimes through the use of universal jurisdiction. It will certainly act as deterrence for further mass atrocity crimes in the region”, Special Representative Bangura said.

Special Representative Bangura congratulated the African Union and the Government of Senegal for convening the trial, and the work done by countless actors worldwide to see justice done. She noted a 1992 Chadian Truth Commission and a Belgian investigation whose work was relied upon during the trial.  She also noted the efforts of Human Rights Watch, the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, and the Human Rights Data Analysis Group, for their ground-breaking work.  Special Representative Bangura stated that: “This process was truly a global one and demonstrates how the world can come together to bring perpetrators of mass atrocities, including sexual violence, to justice.”

Special Representative Bangura also noted the importance of the ruling for Habré’s victims and the tireless efforts of their lawyers and advocates, who waited many years to see justice done. “What this verdict signals is that although justice can be delayed for victims of mass atrocities, it can never be denied. It also sends a clear message to the perpetrators of mass atrocity crimes, including sexual violence, that no matter who they are, no matter what position they hold, that they have nowhere to hide. The international community will work as long as it takes to ensure these perpetrators face justice”, she added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.