Chad: Whether when security forces arrest a man on suspicion that he is involved with an anti-government group they also arrest other members of the household; if so, whether they arrest only the young men or also the young women; and whether age is taken into consideration when family members are arrested
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TCD29948.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Chad: Whether when security forces arrest a man on suspicion that he is involved with an anti-government group they also arrest other members of the household; if so, whether they arrest only the young men or also the young women; and whether age is taken into consideration when family members are arrested, 1 September 1998, TCD29948.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abb940.html [accessed 19 October 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An Amnesty International representative who specializes on Chad stated during a 9 September 1998 telephone interview that Chadian troops and police units are liable to raid homes of the families of political opponents, and would intimidate, beat and arrest them. The representative did not specify whether the age of individuals would be taken into consideration when arrests were made. Although women are less exposed than men to arrests, they are not less exposed to violence and rape perpetrated by the security and armed forces.
According to a representative of Tchad-Solidarités-France who, according to a professor at the African Studies Centre in Leiden, The Netherlands, is reputed to be up-to-date on the events currently taking place in Chad, this country is not a state-of-law and the Chadian authorities will not hesitate to arrest family members of Chadian opposition members in exile. However, he stated, although women and children are not arrested, men from the age of 15-16 would be at risk of being arrested.
Further information on the exposure to arrest for the family members of political opponents could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International, Paris. 9 September 1998. Telephone interview with Representative.
Tchad-Solidarités-France, Bully-les-Mines, France. 22 September 1998. Telephone interview with representative.
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. 1997-1998
Africa Research Bulletin. 1997-1998.
Amnesty International On-line [Internet]. 1997-1998.
Electronic sources: LEXIS/NEXIS, WNC, Internet.
La Lettre du Continent [Paris]. 1997-1998.
La Lettre de la FIDH [Paris]. 1997-1998.
Five oral sources contacted did not provide the requested information.
