In a statement delivered during the session concluding Chad’s third UPR cycle, ISHR welcomed the adoption of recommendations by the State, which will renew its efforts to improve the protection of human rights defenders in the country.
ISHR commends the adoption of several recommendations aimed at guaranteeing the respect of fundamental liberties, creating a favorable working environment for defenders and reducing the risks and threats they regularly face due to their activities. ISHR encourages the State to take all necessary legislative and administrative measures to achieve their full and effective implementation.
The statement underlined the commitment of Chad to improving its legal and institutional framework and to strengthening the protection of defenders. This is reflected in the adoption of a law on the protection of human rights defenders, in line with the UN Declaration on defenders, and in the reform of the law establishing the National Human Rights Commission. Sufficient resources must nonetheless be provided to the Commission to ensure its full implementation and the fulfillment of its mandate in line with the Paris Principles.
Along with national protection mechanisms, civic space plays an equally important role in monitoring the situation of human rights and denouncing their violations. ISHR therefore reiterated its previous calls on the Chadian government to stop eroding Chadian civil society space, and to lift all restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression, peaceful protest and association. This implies putting an end to the abusive use of ministerial decrees to repress peaceful demonstrations supposedly for the sake of national security. In light of international laws and instruments, ISHR reminded Chad of its obligation to ensure journalists and defenders are not subject to intimidation, threats or any form of violence to impede their legitimate work.
ISHR welcomes the efforts undertaken and encourages the State to follow through.
Read the full statement here.
Contact: Adelaïde Etong Kame, Africa advocacy consultant [email protected]
Photo credit: UN Photo
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