When Hissène Habré, the deposed dictator of Chad, was found guilty of crimes against humanity in 2016, it was described as ‘a watershed for human rights justice in Africa and beyond’. For the first time, a former African head of state had been convicted on African soil, following a heroic 25 year campaign by activists and survivors of Habré’s atrocities, which succeeded despite international indifference and opposition from Habré’s allies.
Journalist Celeste Hicks followed the trial from the very beginning and has interviewed many of those involved. In this event, we discuss the trial of Habré, the key role played by grassroots activists, and the future of the fight against impunity in Africa.
Panellists include:
Representative of Victims of Jammeh.
Thierry Cruvellier, journalist.
Gaëtan Mootoo, Amnesty International West Africa researcher.
JJ Wangui, journalist, Kenya.
Chair: Professor Mashood Baderin, School of Law, SOAS and Chair of the Centre of African Studies, University of London.
This event is a launch for the book The Trial of Hissène Habré (Zed Books, 2018) by Celeste Hicks. The book will be on sale at the event.
You can register for the event here.
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