Chad's Military Accused of Detainee Deaths Amid Political Unrest

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report detailing the deaths of several detainees in Chad following protests in October 2022. The organization states that at least 11 individuals died either en route to or at Koro Toro prison, with the actual toll potentially being much higher.

The protests, which occurred approximately 22 months ago, were in response to Mahamat Deby Itno's two-year extension of power. Security forces reportedly used live ammunition, resulting in at least 60 fatalities. This unrest was unprecedented in Chad, a country with a population of about 16 million and over 200 ethnic groups, which had seen little public dissent during the 30-year rule of Deby Itno's father.

Hundreds of protesters were detained and transported to Koro Toro prison, located about 600 kilometers from N'Djamena, the capital. HRW reports that detainees were subjected to mistreatment during the two- to three-day journey:

"The bodies of those who died were thrown out of the trucks."

The report describes alarming conditions at Koro Toro prison, which operates under military oversight. Day-to-day administration was allegedly delegated to prisoners with links to Boko Haram, who reportedly abused other detainees. Some prisoners were chained with iron rods for weeks and subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, which is considered a form of torture.

Lewis Mudge, central Africa director at HRW, called for decisive action to address the impunity for these abuses. The organization urged Chadian authorities, the African Union, and UN bodies to investigate the unlawful detentions and deaths in custody.

In response, the Chadian government maintains that the 2022 protests amounted to an insurrection, justifying the detentions at Koro Toro. In a letter dated July 2023, Chad's justice minister stated there was "no evidence relating to the violation of human rights" in connection with the transfers or detentions.

Larry Ahmat Haroun, a Chadian activist who was jailed after the elections and released two months ago, provided testimony about the conditions at Koro Toro:

"I've seen prisoners who were wounded by bullets left without any care or treatment. People get tortured too."

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of Chad's complex political landscape. The country, which gained independence from France in 1960, has faced numerous challenges, including recurring droughts, desertification, and security threats from extremist groups in the Sahel region. With one of the world's lowest literacy rates at around 22% and a young population with a median age of 16.1 years, Chad continues to grapple with socio-economic and political instability.

The current president, Deby Itno, was elected three months ago in a vote marred by allegations of eliminating political opponents. As Chad navigates its political future, the international community watches closely, calling for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.