Chadian government finally sacks Habré-era suspects

Human rights groups offered restrained praise for the government of Chad for finally sacking officials suspected of torture and other human rights abuses during the regime of Hissène Habré in the 1980s.

Activists from Human Rights Watch and Chadian rights groups -- who had been calling for the sacking, arrest and conviction of Habre-era officials for almost 15 years -- are describing last week’s dismissals as a small, first and long overdue step.

Habré was Chad's dictator from 1982-1990 and it is believed that some 40,000 opponents were either murdered or tortured under his regime.

Human Rights Watch says there are at least 35 other officials from the former regime who still hold a wide range of posts - including in the military and security forces - under Deby and whom they would like to see brought to justice. A Chadian government official told IRIN that the six officials had been removed by internal decree, but he would not comment on why the decision was made at this time.