/ 22 February 2001

CHAD VICTIMS MAY GET JUSTICE

VICTIMS of repression under Chad’s former president Hissene Habre have applauded legal attempts in Senegal to reinstate torture and murder charges against the ex-dictator, who is now in exile in Senegal. An appeals court in Dakar said it would rule on March 6 on whether Habre, who ruled the north-central African nation from 1982 to 1990, should stand trial on the charges. The former dictator is accused by human rights groups of being behind the execution of 40 000 people and the torture of 200 000 others during his reign. – AFP