UN criticizes Chad over Boko Haram executions by firing squad

The United Nations has criticized Chad’s execution of 10 suspected Boko Haram militants by a firing squad.

Ten people were executed by a firing squad in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena on Saturday after being sentenced to death under the Central African country’s new anti-terrorism law.

“We deeply regret the resumption of the death penalty in Chad,” UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly said at a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday.

This is the first use of the death penalty in the country since 2003.

On 30 July, 2015, Chad’s parliament adopted a new law on terrorism that introduced the death penalty.

“We call upon the government of Chad to introduce an official moratorium aiming at abolition of the death penalty,” Pouilly said.

According to UN, there were also serious concerns regarding the speed of executions and fair trial.

“We also call upon the Chadian authorities to review the anti-terrorism law adopted last July as it contains a very vague definition of terrorism inconsistent with principles of legality, and potentially puts many people at risk of execution,” she said.

The death sentences were handed down Friday following a three-day trial in which the 10 defendants were accused of murdering civilians; setting up a criminal organization; carrying out bomb attacks; possessing weapons and ammunition; and consuming illegal narcotics.

Boko Haram, which first emerged in the early 2000s by preaching against Nigerian government misrule and corruption, became fanatically violent in 2009 after the death of its leader while in police custody.

Since then, Boko Haram had largely confined its attacks to northeastern Nigeria. In recent months, however, the group has staged several deadly operations in neighboring states — including Cameroon and Chad — that have left scores dead.

In June, five states recently targeted by Boko Haram — including Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Benin and Chad — launched a regional task force aimed at eradicating the notorious militant group.

Earlier this month, following fresh Cameroonian contributions, the total troop strength of the Nigeria-led Multinational Joint Task Force was raised to 12,000.