UN condemns execution of terrorists in Chad

monjola sotubo

September 2, 2015 5:20 AM

The 10 men were put to the death on Saturday, August 29, 2015, after they were found guilty of participating in the June/July suicide attacks in N’djamena.

A picture taken Aug. 26, 2015 shows suspected members of Boko Haram sitting in court in N'Djamena.

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office has condemned the recent execution of 10 persons convicted of terrorism in Chad.

The executions were the first use of the death penalty in Chad since the country declared a moratorium in 2003.

The UN also raised concern on the speed with which the executions were carried out.

UN Spokeswoman, Cecile Pouilly stated that the 10 men were executed by firing squad only one day after they were sentenced to death under the new anti-terrorism law.

“According to the information that we collected, the… timing of the trial was reduced from eight to two days and it was relocated for security reasons. We do not have information whether they had access to lawyers, whether they were able to appeal against their death sentence," Pouilly said.

“We had welcomed the decision to adopt a new penal code that was abolishing the death penalty. So, it is really a big step backward. It is a big disappointment for us,” She added.

The UN agency also called on Chad to review its anti-terrorism law which it says contains a very vague definition of terrorism, which may not be legal internationally, and potentially could put many people at risk of execution.

monjola sotubo