Chad: Treatment of political opponents, including opposition party activists and those suspected of being so (January 2016-October 2016)

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

According to sources, a wave of protests has been sweeping Chad since early 2016 (ACLED Apr. 2016, 2; DW 8 Aug. 2016). Political opponents and members of civil society have been protesting against, on the one hand, their difficult economic situation and, on the other hand, the government and the lack of democratic alternation (International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, ii; DW 8 Aug. 2016).

Their demonstrations continue in the wake of the rallies that have been organized since 2014 (Jane's 24 Feb. 2016; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 1819). The largest ones began in February 2016 (AFP 22 Feb. 2016; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 18-19). Young people and students mobilize at the beginning of the month, demanding jobs in the public service (Amnesty International 10 Feb. 2016; Africanews with AFP 8 Feb. 2016). According to sources, the authorities used force to disperse the demonstrators (ibid.; Amnesty International 10 Feb. 2016). Amnesty International reports that the individuals who were detained as part of that mobilization stated that they [Amnesty International English version] "were subjected to ill-treatment by the police" (ibid.). During the same period, the gang rape of an electoral candidate's daughter [named Zouhara (AFP 22 Feb. 2016)] by the sons of senior Chadian officials angered the population (AFP 22 Feb. 2016; Jane's 24 Feb. 2016). According to an article published by the online magazine Jane's Country Risk Daily Report, the mobilization prompted larger demonstrations against President Déby and against the impunity of the elite (Jane's 24 Feb. 2016).

As the April 2016 presidential election neared, the social anger became politicized and increasingly took the shape of government opposition (International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 18; ACLED Apr. 2016, 2). The demonstrations were against Idriss Déby and his candidacy for a fifth term (AFP 23 Mar. 2015; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, ii, 18). Students were joined by members of civil society-government workers, union members, teachers-according to an initial source (International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 18-19), and civil society groups and political opponents, according to a second source (Jane's 24 Feb. 2016). They demonstrated in N'Djamena, but also in the regions (ibid.; ACLED Apr. 2016, 2). According to sources consulted by the Research Directorate, their preferred means were peaceful marches (AFP 23 Mar. 2016; RFI 27 July 2016), strikes (RFI 15 Apr. 2016; DW 20 Apr. 2016), dead city days (VOA 23 Mar. 2016; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 18) and civil disobedience (RFI 2 Oct. 2016; AFP 8 Oct. 2016).

The presidential election was held on April 10, 2016 (IFES 2016), as reported by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an international organization devoted to promoting democracy and disseminating election results around the world (IFES n.d.). According to Chad's National Electoral Commission (Commission électorale nationale), Idriss Déby was re-elected president (DW 22 Apr. 2016; Jane's 22 Apr. 2016; US 5 May 2016). However, the opposition contested the results, which it considered to be fraudulent, and refused to acknowledge them (Jane's 22 Apr. 2016; DW 8 Aug. 2016).

On 26 July 2016, an opposition front comprised of 30 or so political parties along with civil society organizations was founded: the New Opposition Front for Alternation and Change (Front de l'opposition nouvelle pour l'alternance et le changement, FONAC) (RFI 27 July 2016; Jane's 29 July 2016). Its main purpose was to oppose Idriss Déby's fifth term before his inauguration and, ultimately, obtain his departure (ibid.; RFI 27 July 2016). Idriss Déby was nevertheless inaugurated on 8 August 2016 (DW 8 August 2016; RFI 8 August 2016). Demonstrations have continued since then, according to articles published in October 2016 (AFP 8 Oct. 2016; RFI 10 Oct. 2016).

2. Categories of Political Opponents

According to the documentary sources consulted by the Research Directorate, political opponents may include:

• students (AFP 22 Feb. 2016; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 20);
• union members (ibid., 19; Jane's 8 Apr. 2016);
• government workers (International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 19);
• professors (ibid., 18);
• human rights advocates (ibid., 20; Jane's 8 Apr. 2016);
• members of civil society groups opposed to Idriss Déby, such as "That's Enough" (Ça suffit) (Jane's 24 Feb. 2016; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 20; ATS 7 Apr. 2016), "Enough is Enough" (Trop, c'est trop) (VOA Africa 23 Mar. 2016; AFP 28 Feb. 2016; DW 20 Apr. 2016) and "Iyina" (International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 20; Observatoire 15 Apr. 2016a).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a communications officer of the Chadian Non-Violence Association (Association tchadienne pour la non-violence, ATNV) [1] summarized the following: [translation] "Any individual … person, or group of people whose opinion differs from the one expected by the authorities is perceived as an opponent" (ATNV 21 Oct. 2016). The same source indicated that [translation] "the regime … is rather virulent when it comes to human rights advocates, unionists, journalists, etc." (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Treatment of Political Opponents

• In February 2016, during the student movement, the authorities prohibited all unauthorized demonstrations, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) (AFP 22 Feb. 2016).
• On 5 and 6 February 2016, according to Amnesty International, 17 demonstrators in a youth demonstration demanding public service jobs were placed in detention and [Amnesty International English version] "subjected to illtreatment" by law enforcement officials (Amnesty International 10 Feb. 2016).
• On 15 February 2016, a demonstration against Zouhoura's rape attended by several hundred young people was [translation] "violently broken up" by riot police in N'Djamena (VOA Africa 23 Feb. 2016; ATS 7 Apr. 2016). A high school student, Abachou Hassan Ousman, was killed [by the police (VOA Africa 23 Feb. 2016)] at a demonstration against Zouhoura's rape (AFP 22 Feb. 2016; VOA Africa 23 Feb. 2016) that day (ibid.).
• The AFP reports that tear gas was used by law enforcement officials at subsequent demonstrations in February 2016 to disperse students in N'Djamena (AFP 22 Feb. 2016).
• According to the same source, on 19 February 2016, 17 demonstrators at a youth demonstration against Zouhoura's rape were arrested and one demonstrator was killed in Massaguet (ibid.). According to the Chadian Convention for Human Rights (Convention tchadienne pour la défense des droits humains, CTDDH), they were tortured by the police (ibid.).
• On 22 February 2016, soldiers opened fire against demonstrators denouncing Zouhoura's rape at Faya Largeau and killed one of them (AFP 22 Feb. 2016; Jane'snbsp;24 Feb. 2016).
• In March 2016, as the presidential election neared, all demonstrations held for reasons other than to support the candidates were prohibited (AFP 23 Mar. 2016; Bénin Monde Infos 25 Mar. 2016).
• Between 21 and 24 March 2016, four civil society leaders were arrested in connection with the organization of peaceful marches against the candidacy of Idriss Déby: Mahamat Nour Ibedou, member of the "That's Enough" coalition; Kaina Nadjo [Palmer], member of the "Iyina" youth movement; Younouss [or Younous] Mahadjir, Vice President of the Chadian Association of Unions (Union des syndicats du Tchad, UST); and Céline Narmadji, spokesperson for the "Enough is Enough" coalition (AFP 23 Mar. 2016; Bénin Monde Info 25 Mar. 2016; Observatoire 8 Apr. 2016). They were charged with [translation] "disturbing the peace and disobeying the lawful authority" (Bénin Monde Infos 25 Mar. 2016).
• On 4 April 2016, Albissaty Salhe Alazam, a leader of the "That's Enough" platform, was arrested in connection with a peaceful march (Observatoire 15 Apr. 2016b; Amnesty International 20 Apr. 2016) in N'Djamena and received a conditional sentence of four months' imprisonment (ibid.). Amnesty International considers him to be [Amnesty International English version] "a prisoner of conscience who was detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression" (ibid.).
• In the days around the April election, the Internet and text messaging were blocked (DW 20 Apr. 2016). According to certain sources, the government controlled demonstrators' access to social networks (AFP 22 Feb. 2016; International Crisis Group 30 Mar. 2016, 20; DW 8 Aug. 2016).
• Sources report that the day after the elections, between 20 and 60 security forces members went missing (DW 20 Apr. 2016; AfricTelegraph 1 June 2016; BBC 18 Apr. 2016). According to sources, they apparently voted against Idriss Déby (DW 20 Apr. 2016; BBC 18 Apr. 2016). The opposition accused the government of having kidnapped them (ibid.; RFI 25 Aug. 2016; Le Quotidien 6 Sept. 2016). Amnesty International called for an independent inquiry (Amnesty International 29 Apr. 2016). However, the attorney general did not pursue the case (Le Point Afrique 27 Sept. 2016; RFI 25 Aug. 2016) in August 2016 (ibid.). According to certain sources, some of those soldiers were found with signs of torture (BBC 18 Apr. 2016; Le Point Afrique 27 Sept. 2016).
• In April 2016, the four civil society leaders who were arrested in late March received fourmonth suspended sentences (Observatoire 15 Apr. 2016; RFI 15 Apr. 2016; DW 20 Apr. 2016).
• On 6 August 2016, a FONAC meeting was broken up because the gathering of the group, which opposed the inauguration of Idriss Déby, was prohibited (BBC 6 Aug. 2016; RFI 7 Aug. 2016). Tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse the group (RFI 7 Aug. 2016). One person was injured (ibid.; Africa Times 6 Aug. 2016).
• On 7 Aug. 2016, according to opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo, a young demonstrator was killed by security forces who were dispersing the crowd on the eve of Idriss Déby's inauguration (AFP 7 Aug. 2016; DW 8 Aug. 2016).
• On 7 October 2016, Dinamou Daram [Dinamou Ndaram, Daram Namou], an opposition party leader and FONAC member, was arrested for having incited Chadians not to pay taxes (AFP 8 Oct. 2016; RFI 10 Oct. 2016).

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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] ATNV is a non-governmental organization promoting peace, human rights and non-violence based in Moundou (Insight on Conflict May 2015). Its activities include peacebuilding workshops in schools and mediation during intercommunity or political conflicts (ibid.). It has also carried out citizen and youth projects (ibid.). Its projects have notably been funded by the European Union, UNICEF and the French government (ibid.).

References

Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). April 2016. "Chad." Conflict Trends, No.47. [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Africanews with Agence France-Presse (AFP). 8 February 2016. "Chad's Opposition Condemns Arrest of Youth Demonstrators." [Accessed 4 Nov. 2016]

Africa Times. 6 August 2016. "Tchad : La police disperse des manifestants." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2016]

AfricTelegraph. 1 June 2016. Lazard Obiang. "Tchad : La police judiciaire convoque des opposants." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 8 October 2016. "Tchad: l'opposition demande la libération d'un des siens." (Factiva)

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 7 August 2016. "Tchad : un manifestant tué à N'Djamena avant l'investiture de Déby." [Date de consultation: 26 oct. 2016]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 23 March 2016. "Tchad : nouvelle arrestation d'une figure de la société civile." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 28 February 2016. "Chad Leader Facing Biggest Protests of His Long Rule." [Accessed 14 Dec. 2016]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 22 February 2016. Stephane Yas with JeanPierre Campagne. "Chad: Chad Student Shot Dead by Army as Gang Rape Protests Spread." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Agence télégraphique suisse (ATS). 7 April 2016. "Les dates-clés du Tchad depuis l'indépendance." (Factiva)

Amnesty International. 29 April 2016. "Chad: Light Must Be Shed on the Fate of Missing People." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Amnesty International. 20 April 2016. "Action urgente : Tchad. Un militant condamné à quatre mois de prison avec sursis." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Amnesty International. 10 February 2016. Déclaration publique : Tchad. Les forces de sécurité ont battu et maltraité des manifestants pacifiques placés en détention. (AFR 20/3423/2016) [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Association tchadienne pour la non-violence (ATNV). 21 October 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate by a communications officer.

Bénin Monde Infos. 25 March 2016. Christophe Sessou. "Tchad : Idriss Déby réprime les opposants à son 5e mandat." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 6 August 2016. "Tchad : manifestation d'opposants dispersée." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2016]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 18 April 2016. "Tchad : des militaires portés disparus." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 8 August 2016. Philipp Sandner. "Growing Dissent in Chad as Deby Embarks on Fifth Term." [Accessed 16 Oct. 2016]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 22 April 2016. "Chad Election Commission Declares Fifth Term for Deby." [Accessed 18 Oct. 2016]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 20 April 2016. Ndayiragije Fiacre and Hilke Fischer. "Chad Tense as Members of Military 'Disappear' Before Election Results." [Accessed 4 Oct. 2016]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 2016. "Republic of Chad: Election for President." Election Guide. (Results of the presidential elections on 10 April 2016) [Accessed 17 Oct. 2016]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). N.d. "About Election Guide." [Accessed 12 Dec. 2016]

Insight on Conflict. May 2015. "Association tchadienne pour la non violence (ATNV)." [Accessed 14 Dec. 2016]

International Crisis Group. 30 March 2016. Tchad: entre ambitions et fragilités. Africa Report no. 233. [Accessed 14 Oct. 2016]

Jane's Country Risk Daily Report. 29 July 2016. "New Chadian Opposition Front Unlikely to Overthrow President's Government, but Incitement to Protest Increases Civil Unrest Risks." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Jane's Country Risk Daily Report. 22 April 2016. "Heavy-handed Response Against Protesters Blocking Main Roads in Chad Likely After President's Official Electoral Victory Announcement." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Jane's Country Risk Daily Report. 8 April 2016. "Activists' Arrests Unlikely to Dampen Protests Around Chad's Election, but Disruption Around Capital to Reduce Post-poll." [Accessed 4 Oct. 2016]

Jane's Country Risk Daily Report. 24 February 2016. "Politicisation of Student Protests Increases Risks to Individuals, Property, and Social Cohesion in Chad." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2016]

Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme. 15 April 2016a. Hugo Gabbero. "Tchad : libération et poursuite du harcèlement de défenseurs des droits humains." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2016]

Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme. 15 April 2016b. "Tchad : condamnation de quatre représentants de la société civile à des peines de prison avec sursis." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme. 8 April 2016. "Tchad : poursuite de la détention arbitraire de plusieurse représentants de la société civile." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

Le Point Afrique. 27 September 2016. "Céline Narmadji : 'Notre combat : obtenir un changement durable'." (Factiva)

Le Quotidien. 6 September 2016. "Entretien avec Saleh Kebzabo, opposant tchadien : 'Déby et la famille de sa femme règnent sur le Tchad'." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 10 October 2016. "Un opposant, membre du FONAC, arrêté." (Factiva)

Radio France internationale (RFI). 2 October 2016. "L'opposition s'insurge contre la suppression des primes." (Factiva)

Radio France internationale (RFI). 25 August 2016. "Militaires disparus au Tchad : l'affaire classée sans suite par le procureur." [Accessed 24 Oct. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 8 August 2016. Mathieu Auge. "Revue de presse Afrique - À la Une : l'investiture d'Idriss Déby au Tchad." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 7 August 2016. "Les opposants dispersés lors du rassemblement contre Idriss Déby." (Factiva)

Radio France internationale (RFI). 27 July 2016. "Tchad : l'opposition unit ses forces avant l'investiture d'Idriss Déby." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 15 April 2016. "Tchad : libération des quatre opposants à la candidature de Déby." [Accessed 5 Oct. 2016]

United States (US). 5 May 2016. Department of State. "Final Results of the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Chad." [Accessed 18 Oct. 2016]

Voice of America (VOA) Africa. 21 March 2016. "Tchad : un opposant au président Idriss Déby arrêté." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2016]

Voice of America (VOA) Africa. 23 February 2016. "Un jeune de 15 ans tué et plusieurs blessés dans une manifestation à Faya." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Independent researcher, specialist on Sudan, Darfur and Chad; Research associate, African Studies, Centre national de recherche scientifique, France; researcher on armed conflicts and international interventions in Chad, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre; researcher on Chad, Arnold Bergstraesser Institute.

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; IRIN; United Nations - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld, ReliefWeb.