CRES/003/05/17: Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in Eastern Chad

CRES/003/05/17: Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in Eastern Chad

We, the participants at the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 60^th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held at the Palais des Congres in Niamey, Niger from 4^th -6^th May 2017;

Considering the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which the Republic of Chad is a state party and therefore is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments, and respect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any ground;

Deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Eastern Chad, in particular the situation in Dar Ouaddaï and Dar Sila where low-intensity, yet protracted inter-tribal fighting that pits nomad camel herders and sedentary farmers is reported with serious effects on human lives and livelihoods;

Noting with concern the attack perpetuated by the nomad camel herders on 10 December 2016 against Tiré locality near Abeché, capital of Ouaddaï region, where seven Ouaddaïen farmers were killed and eighteen others were injured;

Gravely concerned that local efforts for reconciliation and conflict resolution are ignored by the nomad camel herders such as the reconciliation conference held on 23^rd and 24^th February 2017 and that following the failure of these attempt there are disturbing reports about military build-up and mobilization of combatants by the nomads coupled with threats to the sedentary farmers to abandon their farms and leave their homeland;

The NGOs Forum calls upon the 60^th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to:

1. Urge the Government of Chad to fully comply with its obligations under the AU Constitutive Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the UN Charter and all regional and international human rights treaties to which the Republic of Chad is a state party and to ensure that all persons within its territory enjoy the rights enshrined therein without discrimination on any ground.

2. Commend the Government of Chad for its efforts to improve security in Eastern Chad, notably by implementing provisions of the UN Security Council 1923/2010 of 25 May 2010 such as the deployment of the Détachement Intégré de Sécurité (DIS), the strengthening of judicial and penal systems and the revival of local conflict resolution mechanisms.

3. Condemn in the strongest terms the attack against Tiré locality on 10 December 2016 and the killing and injury of 25 sedentary farmers as well as the destruction of their farms and properties.

4. Call on the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council to pay close attention to the situation in Eastern Chad and to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the inter-tribal violence does not escalate into a full-blown armed conflict between the pastoralists and sedentary farmers.

5. Call on the Government of Chad to take more robust measures to protect the lives, farms and properties of the civilian populations in Eastern Chad and to implement strategies to address the root causes of inter-tribal conflicts in the region.

6. Call on the Government of Chad to arrest and persecute all individuals involved in the attack against Tiré locality on 10 December 2016 and all other persons accused of committing inter-tribal crimes in Ouaddaï

Done in Niamey, Niger –  6^th May 2017