'Africa's Pinochet' faces extradition and trial for crimes against humanit

[emad]

'Africa's Pinochet' faces extradition and trial for crimes against humanity
By Anne Penketh, Diplomatic Editor
Published: 30 September 2005


The former Chadian dictator known as "Africa's Pinochet" has been indicted by Belgium to face charges of crimes against humanity in a landmark case that strikes a major blow for human rights.

The extradition from Senegal of former president Hiss¨¨ne Habr¨¦ on an international arrest warrant would mark the culmination of years of efforts by a human rights organisation to bring him to justice.

Mr Habr¨¦ is not expected to escape extradition as Augusto Pinochet did when he persuaded the British law lords that he was "too ill" to stand trial in 1998 to face charges issued by a Spanish judge. Habr¨¦'s extradition would send a powerful message to dictators that they will be held accountable for abuse.

The Belgian justice ministry announced yesterday that the warrant had been issued on 19 September. If, as expected, the Senegalese authorities comply, Mr Habr¨¦ would become the first former dictator to be extradited by a third country to stand trial for human rights atrocities.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/article316084.ece

[UrbScotty]

1. North America's should be next. (nt)

[daleo]

2. Let's go after Argentina's Chile again.

Eventually the Bush war mongers should be seen in their true light, too.

[LynnTheDem]

3. nt