Chad: Government must immediately repeal amnesty ordinance

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT AI Index: AFR 20/002/2011 31 January 2011 CHAD: GOVERNMENT MUST IMMEDIATELY REPEAL AMNESTY ORDINANCE Amnesty international regrets the decision of the Chadian government granting amnesty for crimes committed by members of armed opposition groups in Chad and calls on the authorities to immediately repeal the ordinance signed by President Idriss Deby Itno on 10 [...] The organization calls on the Chadian authorities to ensure that any amnesty law excludes crimes under international law. [...] Amnesty International recognizes the importance of peace agreements with opposition armed groups, but the organization also believes that a crucial component of such agreements should be a strong commitment to obtaining justice, truth and reparations for victims of human rights violations and abuses. [...] The Chadian government must ensure that the respect and protection of human rights are at the core of all attempts to resolve the current armed conflict and political crisis, and that any peace or other agreements entered into by the Chadian government and armed opposition groups do not contradict its obligations under international law and, in particular, do not provide any amnesty for human righ [...] Amnesty International has documented serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law committed by Chadian armed groups and Chadian national security forces in eastern Chad and other parts of the country.