EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 20/04/91

Distr: UA/SC

UA 348/91 Extrajudicial Executions\Legal Concern21 October 1991

CHAD:Maldom Bada ABBAS

and an unspecified number of his suspected supporters

Amnesty International is concerned at reports that members of the Chadian security forces have carried out extrajudicial executions of unarmed civilians in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, and other parts of the country. These extrajudicial executions were reportedly carried out following an alleged attempt on 13 October 1991 by a section of the Chadian armed forces to overthrow President Idriss Deby. Maldom Bada Abbas, the Vice-President of the ruling Mouvement patriotique du salut (MPS), Salvation Patriotic Movement, and the Minister of Interior and Security was apparently suspected of masterminding the coup attempt and was arrested together with an unspecified number of his suspected supporters.

Reports from N'Djamena, and supported by the Chadian Human Rights League, say that government soldiers killed many civilians and arrested others solely because they came from Maldom Bada Abbas' Hadjeraï ethnic group. The Chadian authorities have said that at least 40 people were killed and several dozen others were injured during the incident.

In recent months Amnesty International has received reports that some people who had been arrested by members of the Chadian security forces were subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The organization is concerned that those arrested in recent days may also be ill-treated in custody.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/airmail letters, in FRENCH if possible:

- expressing concern that following a reported coup attempt to overthrow the government on 13 October 1991 there have been reports that members of the security forces have carried out extrajudicial executions of unarmed civilians and arrested others solely because they belonged to the same Hadjeraï ethnic group as MPS Vice-President Maldom Bada Abbas;

- asking if the authorities have investigated such reports and, if so, what the results of the investigations are;

- urging the authorities, if no investigation has yet occurred, to order an independent and impartial investigation into allegations of unarmed civilians being subjected to extrajudicial executions and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and to bring those found to be responsible for such abuses to justice;

- requesting the authorities to issue clear public instructions to all members of the security forces that human rights violations are a criminal offence and that those found responsible for such abuses will be brought to justice;

- urging the authorities to ensure that all those arrested solely because of their ethnic origin are released without delay and that any others against whom criminal charges are to be brought are referred to the procuracy with a view to bringing them promptly to trial.

Page 2 of UA 348/91

APPEALS TO:

1) Son Excellence Général Idriss DEBY Monsieur le Président de la

Président de la République du Tchad République

Présidence de la République

N'DJAMENA, République du Tchad

Telegrams: President Deby, N'Djamena, Chad

Telexes: 5201 PRESIREP KD or 5307 PRESIREP KD

Faxes: + 235 51 4501

2) Monsieur Jean Alingue BAWOYEU Monsieur le Premier Ministre

Premier Ministre

Présidence de la République

N'DJAMENA

République du Tchad

Telegrams: Premier Ministre Bawoyeu, N'Djamena, Chad

Telexes: 5201 PRESIREP KD or 5307 PRESIREP KD

Faxes: + 235 51 4501

3) Monsieur Youssouf TOGOIMI Monsieur le Ministre

Ministre de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux

Ministère de la Justice

N'DJAMENA

République du Tchad

Telegrams: Ministre Justice, N'Djamena, Chad

Telexes: c/o 5328 MINAFFET KD

4) Colonel Abbas KOTY Monsieur le Ministre

Ministère de la Defense

Ministère de la Defense

N'DJAMENA

République du Tchad

Telegrams: Ministre Defense, N'Djamena, Chad

Telexes: c/o 5201 PRESIREP KD or 5307 PRESIREP KD

Faxes: c/o + 235 51 4501

COPIES TO:

1) Le Rédacteur-en-chef

N'Djamena-Hebdo

11 Avenue Charles de Gaulle

BP 760

N'DJAMENA

République du Tchad

2) Monsieur Djondang TCHAKNONE

Président

Ligue tchadienne des droits de l'Homme

BP 2037

N'DJAMENA

République du Tchadand to diplomatic representatives of Chad in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 2 December 1991.