Detainee deaths reported at Koro Toro prison

Chad’s military has come under intense scrutiny following the reported deaths of detainees who were taken into custody during the protests in October 2022. Human Rights Watch has published a report that sheds light on the troubling conditions and circumstances surrounding these deaths.

According to the report, at least four detainees died while being transported to Koro Toro prison, a remote detention facility situated approximately 600 kilometers from the nation’s capital, N’Djamena. The journey to the prison is believed to involve harsh conditions, with detainees reportedly denied essential supplies and subjected to severe mistreatment. Some detainees reportedly perished en route, their bodies thrown out of the transport vehicles.

Once at the prison, the fate of many detainees remained precarious. Human Rights Watch documented that six more individuals lost their lives within the confines of Koro Toro, a prison notorious for its brutal conditions and military oversight. The report suggests that the real death toll could be significantly higher than currently documented.

The unrest that led to these detentions was unprecedented in the history of Chad. In a country known for its rigid control under the 30-year regime of Deby Itno’s father, public dissent had been a rare occurrence. However, the extension of power by interim leader Mahamat Deby Itno ignited fierce protests, prompting the government’s severe crackdown.

Human Rights Watch has categorized the deaths as a result of unlawful detentions and ill-treatment, calling for thorough investigations by both Chadian authorities and international bodies such as the African Union and United Nations.

“The Chadian government must act decisively to address the impunity for these abuses,” insisted Lewis Mudge, the central Africa director at Human Rights Watch. His statement underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform to prevent further human rights violations.

Allegations of mistreatment and torture

The situation at Koro Toro prison has become increasingly dire, with numerous allegations of mistreatment and torture coming to light. According to the Human Rights Watch report, detainees were subjected to a range of inhumane practices from the moment they were apprehended and transported to the facility.

During the two- to three-day transit to Koro Toro, detainees were reportedly denied basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care. Some detainees died along the journey due to the harsh conditions, with their bodies callously discarded from the transport vehicles, as recounted by a former detainee.

Koro Toro’s reputation as a prison of extreme brutality is well-documented. The facility operates under strict military oversight, yet the day-to-day administration is left in the hands of prisoners with ties to militant groups such as Boko Haram. These prisoners are said to enforce their own forms of punishment, including severe beatings and other forms of abuse, further compounding the misery of an already dire situation.

One of the most egregious practices reported is the chaining of detainees with iron rods attached to their ankles, effectively rendering them immobile for days or even weeks. This form of physical restraint not only causes immense pain and suffering but also risks severe medical complications. Furthermore, detainees allegedly faced prolonged solitary confinement, a practice widely regarded as a form of psychological torture. Forced labor was another common punishment, with detainees compelled to work under grueling conditions with no regard for their well-being.

Amid these allegations, calls for transparency and accountability are growing louder. Human Rights Watch has urged Chadian authorities to recognize and address these serious abuses, emphasizing the need for decisive action to dismantle the toxic culture of impunity that currently prevails at Koro Toro prison. The organization has also petitioned international bodies like the United Nations and the African Union to launch independent investigations into these allegations and ensure that the victims receive justice.

“Chadian military officials oversee a prison in which abuse runs rampant,” reiterated Mudge. The Human Rights Watch report goes further to recommend the closure of one of Koro Toro’s main buildings, citing its unfitness for human occupancy. The group also demands that the remains of those who died be returned to their families to allow for proper burials, a basic human right that has been denied to many.

Despite these grave allegations, the Chadian government has maintained that the detentions were justified given the nature of the protests, which it characterized as an insurrection. In a letter addressed to Human Rights Watch, Chad’s Justice Minister defended the government’s actions, asserting that there was no evidence to suggest human rights violations during the transfer or detention of prisoners at Koro Toro.

This defense has done little to assuage the concerns of human rights advocates and detainees’ families, who continue to demand answers and accountability. Among the voices calling for change is Larry Ahmat Haroun, a Chadian activist who was imprisoned following the elections and later released in June. He has described Koro Toro as one of the most perilous prisons in Chad, highlighting the lack of medical care and widespread use of torture.

“I’ve seen prisoners who were wounded by bullets left without any care or treatment. People get tortured too,” Haroun stated, painting a grim picture of life inside the prison where detainees are cut off from the outside world, with no access to phones or family visits.

Calls for investigation and government response

In light of the harrowing accounts and allegations of human rights abuses, the calls for a thorough investigation have grown more urgent. Multiple human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, are not just requesting but demanding that the Chadian government, along with international bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations, take immediate and decisive action to investigate the reported mistreatment of detainees and bring those responsible to justice.

The reports of unlawful detentions, cruel treatment, and the deaths of detainees have cast a dark shadow over Chad’s military and its current leadership. Human Rights Watch, in its scathing report, emphasized the necessity for a transparent and independent investigation to hold accountable those who orchestrated and carried out the abuses. “The Chadian government must act decisively to address the impunity for these abuses,” reiterated Lewis Mudge, the central Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

• Unlawful Detentions: The detentions in the wake of the protests were deemed unlawful by Human Rights Watch. The detainees were reportedly denied basic rights and subjected to harsh treatments that do not comply with international human rights standards.
• Ill-treatment and Deaths: The journey to Koro Toro prison was fraught with deprivation of essential supplies like food and water, contributing to the deaths of some detainees during transit. The prison itself, notorious for its dire conditions and military oversight, saw more detainees lose their lives.
• Torture and Abuse: Inside Koro Toro, detainees faced severe physical punishment and psychological torture. Practices such as chaining detainees, solitary confinement, and forced labor were rampant.

Adding to the urgency of calls for an investigation, international entities have joined in the demand for transparency. The African Union and the United Nations are being urged to take an impartial stance on the issue and probe the conditions at Koro Toro. Such an inquiry would not only aim to uncover the truth but also set a precedent for addressing human rights abuses in other regions facing similar issues.

In response to the growing pressure, the Chadian government cited the violent nature of the 2022 protests as justification for the harsh detentions. In a letter addressed to Human Rights Watch in July 2023, Chad’s Justice Minister asserted that there was no evidence of human rights violations linked to the detainees’ transfer or their stay at Koro Toro prison. However, these assurances have failed to placate human rights advocates and the families of those affected, who continue to demand transparency and justice.

Chadian activist Larry Ahmat Haroun exemplifies the resilience of those calling for change. Having been detained during the tumultuous period and released in June, Haroun has become a vocal critic of the conditions at Koro Toro. He detailed the severe lack of medical care and the pervasive use of torture within the facility. “I’ve seen prisoners who were wounded by bullets left without any care or treatment. People get tortured too,” Haroun disclosed. His testimony adds a personal dimension to the calls for an investigation, highlighting the urgency for action to ensure that no other detainees suffer under similar conditions.

As Chad continues to navigate political upheaval and public dissent, the need for an accurate and independent investigation into the allegations of abuse at Koro Toro has never been clearer. The hope among human rights organizations and impacted families is that such an inquiry will bring justice to the victims and create a framework for preventing future abuses.