Secretary-General, with Thoughts on Victims, Applauds Senegal, African Union on Judgment in Case against Former Chad President Hissène Habré

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General takes note of the delivery yesterday by the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegalese Courts of the trial judgment in the case against Hissène Habré.

The Secretary-General’s thoughts are with the victims of the crimes for which Hissène Habré has been found guilty.

Hissène Habré, former President of Chad, has been found guilty of forced sexual slavery, voluntary homicide, kidnappings of individuals followed by their disappearances, summary executions and torture.

The Secretary-General congratulates the African Union, and in particular Senegal, on the establishment of the Extraordinary African Chambers and expresses his gratitude to all those States who have contributed to this achievement.

The delivery of this judgment marks a historic day for the people of Chad, the region and beyond, as well as for international criminal justice.  The judgment sends a strong signal to those who would perpetrate serious crimes of international concern, including those at the highest echelons of political power, that they will be held accountable for their actions.