Chad: “We too deserve protection” Human Rights Challenges as UN Mission Withdraws

The Security Council’s decision was based largely on assurances by the Chadian government that it was ready to assume “full responsibility for the security and the protection of the civilian population in eastern Chad.”7 Amnesty International considers the UN Security Council's decision to withdraw peacekeepers from eastern Chad to be premature and a dangerous precedent. [...] Given the longstanding failure of the Chadian government to do so, notably during 2006 and 2007 when insecurity and human rights abuses were rampant in the area and there was not yet a UN force present, the lack of a concrete plan of action has left most people in eastern Chad doubtful that authorities are adequately prepared to step in as the UN leaves. [...] However, given the enormity of the challenges, the uncertainty surrounding the transition, the abrupt nature of the decision and the Chadian government’s poor track record with respect to security and human rights protection in the region, more is needed.29 The Chadian government has made a commitment to report to the Security Council by 31 July 2010 with a plan for ensuring the ongoing operations [...] He stated that the office will meet on a weekly basis to evaluate the security situation in the region and will be composed of representatives of the Chadian government, the DIS, UN Police (UNPOL), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and one focal point for NGOs. [...] Both the Chadian authorities and the United Nations should ensure that the efforts and achievements of this component of MINURCAT continue even after the withdrawal of the UN mission.