U.S. Statement at the UPR of Chad
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – 17th Session
Intervention for Chad
As delivered by Miriam Schive
UN Human Rights Council
Geneva,
October 29, 2013
The United States welcomes the Chadian delegation to the UPR Working Group and thanks Chad for the completion of its national report and for its presentation today.
We recognize Chad’s efforts to reform the security sector, through combating gender-based violence, and to provide security in and around refugee camps. We also note the Chadian government’s continued commitment to demobilize child soldiers from defense forces and armed groups. However, we are concerned about ongoing sexual violence against women and girls, as well as the lack of resources for the gendarmes in providing security in refugee hosting areas, and violations and abuses committed against children.
We acknowledge Chad’s efforts in the area of judicial sector reform, including increasing access to courts and lawyers. We are seriously concerned, however, by a lack of improvement in the life threatening conditions of local prisons, which are overcrowded and poorly managed. The cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of prisoners and detainees also continues to be a serious problem.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that Chad:
- Enact the Child Protection Code;
- Appoint a prison ombudsperson to deploy to local prisons to respond to prisoners’ complaints;
- Implement a process for the independent investigation of allegations of torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officers and improve the ability to prosecute those found responsible.
Thank you.