Former Chadian leader Hissene Habré
Belgium has requested Senegal to extradite former Chadian president Hissene Habré, to Europe, to face trial. The request was contained in a note handed to Senegal's Ambassador, Mr. Pual Badji, in Brussels recently, the Belgian government said in a statement.
The Senegalese diplomat was summoned to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was handed the note, requesting his country to extradite Habré, if they can't let him face trial. In the statement, Belgium pledged its commitment to respect international justice and protect victims.
Senegal has earlier reversed its decision to extradite the former Chadian leader, to his country to face trial, following pressure from the UN Human Rights Commissioner and hosts of rights groups.
Hissene Habré, who has been living in Senegal, since he was ousted in 1990, was sentenced to death in absentia, in his country 2008, over charges of crimes against humanity.
However; Amnesty International (AI) has called on Senegal, not to repatriate Habré to his country. According to the global rights body, it's over ten years since a complaint was made against the former Chadian president, who fled to Senegal, after being moved from power in 1990, yet no judicial proceedings have begun.
Amnesty International thinks Habré will not receive a fair trial when extradited to his country, Chad.