Chad: Concerns over the creation of a commission to reinstate the death penalty

Chad had taken an important step in favour of human rights and human dignity by abolishing capital punishment in 2020. This decision was welcomed nationally and internationally, reinforcing the country's commitment to fair justice, the prevention of torture and respect for the right to life.

The current desire to reintroduce the death penalty constitutes a serious regression, contrary to Chad's international obligations, particularly with regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture. Our organisations recall that the death penalty inevitably causes major psychological and even physical suffering for the condemned person and their loved ones, both before and during the execution, in contradiction with the absolute prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Chad's initiative to reinstate capital punishment runs counter to the considerable progress towards abolitionism on the African continent and worldwide. On 17 December 2024, Chad voted in favour of the resolution calling for a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty at the UN General Assembly, alongside 129 other countries.

"Restoring the death penalty will not strengthen security or justice. Rather, it paves the way for abuses and irreversible miscarriages of justice, in a context where the independence of the judiciary remains fragile. Instead of setting up a commission to reflect on the death penalty, Chad must consolidate its human rights achievements, not compromise them," said Adoum Mahamat Boukar, President of the LTDH.

In their joint alternative report submitted to the United Nations Committee Against Torture in 2022, OMCT and LTDH had already warned of the risk that, in the absence of a constitutional ban on the death penalty, it could be reintroduced at any time. This concern is based on the institutional instability observed in Chad in this area: a moratorium decreed in 2003, reintroduction and executions in 2015, partial abolition in 2017, definitive abolition in 2020, and more recently, an attempt to reintroduce it in 2025. This cycle of successive reversals illustrates the fragility of the progress made and demonstrates that only constitutional protection can guarantee the permanent eradication of capital punishment. However, it is clear that the frequent reintroduction of the death penalty has not had a significant deterrent effect on serious crimes.

The establishment of this commission comes at a time when the situation in Chad is characterised by a marked decline in democratic freedoms and human rights. The sentencing on 9 August 2025 of political opponent Succès Masra to 20 years' imprisonment following a trial that did not meet fair trial standards is the latest illustration of the authorities' persistent repression of opposition movements. In the current context, there is also concern that the death penalty, if reinstated, could be used as a tool of reprisal against any dissenting opinion, including that of human rights defenders.

"Chad must comply with its international commitments made during its recent Universal Periodic Review by ratifying the United Nations protocol to abolish the death penalty. Any reform of the judicial system should aim to guarantee the rights of defendants, strengthen the fight against impunity and prevent torture," said Isidore Ngueuleu, Head of the OMCT's Africa Desk.

The OMCT and the LTDH urge the Chadian authorities to:

1. Immediately abandon any plans to reinstate the death penalty;

2. Strengthen judicial reforms in line with international human rights standards;

3. Involve civil society and international partners in any debate on criminal and security policies.

Our organisations reaffirm their commitment to supporting Chad in strengthening its justice system, with full respect for the fundamental rights of every citizen.

For further information, please contact:

OMCT – Geneva: Isidore Ngueuleu, icnd@omct.org

LTDH – N'Djamena: Me Adoum Mahamat Boukar, ad.boukar3@yahoo.fr