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Chad prison deaths: Report disputed claim of mass poisoning | Chad prison deaths: Report disputed claim of mass poisoning |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A group of 44 prisoners died in one night in a prison in Chad because they were all kept in the same cell in 46C heat, an investigation has concluded. | |
Prosecutors had suggested that the group were suspected Boko Haram militants and had taken poison to kill themselves. | Prosecutors had suggested that the group were suspected Boko Haram militants and had taken poison to kill themselves. |
But the National Human Rights Commission said they were civilians. | But the National Human Rights Commission said they were civilians. |
Their report described a dangerously overcrowded cell, scorching heat, thirst and hunger. | Their report described a dangerously overcrowded cell, scorching heat, thirst and hunger. |
Chad's Justice Minister Djimet Arabi told AFP he had taken note of the Commission's report and that an inquiry had been launched to determine who was responsible for the deaths. | Chad's Justice Minister Djimet Arabi told AFP he had taken note of the Commission's report and that an inquiry had been launched to determine who was responsible for the deaths. |
The 44 prisoners were found dead in their cell on the outskirts of the capital N'Djamena on the morning of 15 April. | The 44 prisoners were found dead in their cell on the outskirts of the capital N'Djamena on the morning of 15 April. |
Prosecutors said at the time that the men were part of a group of 58 suspects captured during a major army operation against the Islamist militants Boko Haram around Lake Chad. | Prosecutors said at the time that the men were part of a group of 58 suspects captured during a major army operation against the Islamist militants Boko Haram around Lake Chad. |
The public prosecutor said 40 of the prisoners were buried and four were taken to a pathologist who found traces of poison. | The public prosecutor said 40 of the prisoners were buried and four were taken to a pathologist who found traces of poison. |
Mr Arabi had also suggested that it could have been a case of collective suicide and denied they had been ill-treated. | Mr Arabi had also suggested that it could have been a case of collective suicide and denied they had been ill-treated. |
'Prisoners' pleas for help ignored' | 'Prisoners' pleas for help ignored' |
The independent commission's report tells a very different story. | The independent commission's report tells a very different story. |
Firstly, it disputes they were militants, instead saying they were farmers and villagers who were arbitrarily arrested. | Firstly, it disputes they were militants, instead saying they were farmers and villagers who were arbitrarily arrested. |
It also points out that the army operation against Boko Haram - which ran between 23 March and 8 April - was already over when the suspects were picked up. | It also points out that the army operation against Boko Haram - which ran between 23 March and 8 April - was already over when the suspects were picked up. |
It then described the overcrowded, scorching conditions in the cell, where survivors say the only food they were given were a few dates, not enough to go around the group. | It then described the overcrowded, scorching conditions in the cell, where survivors say the only food they were given were a few dates, not enough to go around the group. |
The 14 survivors told the commission that, in the heat, some started falling to the ground, while others called out to the guards for help but were ignored. | The 14 survivors told the commission that, in the heat, some started falling to the ground, while others called out to the guards for help but were ignored. |
"The jailers did not deign to give assistance to anyone in danger in these conditions despite cries of distress and prayers recited all night," the report said, according to AFP. | "The jailers did not deign to give assistance to anyone in danger in these conditions despite cries of distress and prayers recited all night," the report said, according to AFP. |
The military offensive against Boko Haram militants was launched after 98 Chadian soldiers were killed on 23 March at their base on the banks of Lake Chad. | The military offensive against Boko Haram militants was launched after 98 Chadian soldiers were killed on 23 March at their base on the banks of Lake Chad. |
The army said they killed more than 1,000 militants in its eight-day operation to flush out militants from hideouts on the islands in the lake. | The army said they killed more than 1,000 militants in its eight-day operation to flush out militants from hideouts on the islands in the lake. |
On Saturday Chad's President Idriss Deby insisted that there are now no Boko Haram fighters left in Chad. | On Saturday Chad's President Idriss Deby insisted that there are now no Boko Haram fighters left in Chad. |
But he went on to say that he is expecting a long fight against the jihadists because of anticipated cross-border raids from Nigeria and Niger. | But he went on to say that he is expecting a long fight against the jihadists because of anticipated cross-border raids from Nigeria and Niger. |