This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33607843

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chad's Hissene Habre forced to appear in court Chad's Hissene Habre forced to appear in court
(about 2 hours later)
Chad's former President Hissene Habre has been forcibly brought to court for the second day of his trial for crimes against humanity.Chad's former President Hissene Habre has been forcibly brought to court for the second day of his trial for crimes against humanity.
However, the trial was suspended after Mr Habre and his lawyers refused to answer when called by the judge. The trial has been suspended until 7 September after Mr Habre and his lawyers refused to speak to the judge.
The African Union-backed court in Senegal's capital, Dakar, will now appoint new lawyers to represent him. The court in Senegal's capital, Dakar, has now appointed new lawyers to represent him.
He denies being responsible for thousands of deaths during his rule from 1982 to 1990. Mr Habre denies responsibility for the deaths and disappearance of thousands of people between 1982 and 1990.
Mr Habre was surrounded by security guards at the front of the courtroom, reports the BBC's Naomi Scherbel-Ball in Dakar. The newly appointed lawyers have 45 days to prepare their case, reports the BBC's Thomas Fessy in Dakar.
"You have the duty to defend Hissene Habre even against his will so a fair trial can take place," the judge told them.
Mr Habre was surrounded by security guards at the front of the courtroom to avoid the chaotic scene witnessed on the first day.
Proceedings were halted on Monday when he refused to recognise the authority of the court.Proceedings were halted on Monday when he refused to recognise the authority of the court.
It led to commotion in the courtroom as he was thrown out by prison guards.It led to commotion in the courtroom as he was thrown out by prison guards.
The trial marks the first time one African country has prosecuted the former leader of another.The trial marks the first time one African country has prosecuted the former leader of another.
It follows a 25-year campaign to bring him to justice.It follows a 25-year campaign to bring him to justice.
Addressing the court on Monday, victims' lawyer Jacqueline Moudeina said the trial was "in the name of humanity, a humanity which Hissene Habre never allowed his victims".Addressing the court on Monday, victims' lawyer Jacqueline Moudeina said the trial was "in the name of humanity, a humanity which Hissene Habre never allowed his victims".
Many of Mr Habre's alleged victims have been calling for it since his overthrow and exile in Senegal in 1990. Many of Mr Habre's alleged victims have been calling for him to face justice since his overthrow and exile in Senegal in 1990.
Parallels were later drawn with the attempts to get the former Chilean military leader Augusto Pinochet extradited and put on trial for crimes against humanity in Spain in 1998. Parallels were later drawn with the attempts to get the former Chilean military leader Augusto Pinochet extradited and put on trial for crimes against humanity in Spain in 1998, leading him to to be called "Africa's Pinochet".
Habre at a glanceHabre at a glance
Battle to bring Habre to courtBattle to bring Habre to court
Profile: Hissene HabreProfile: Hissene Habre
A Chadian truth commission found in 1992 that the Habre regime was responsible for 40,000 deaths and disappearances.A Chadian truth commission found in 1992 that the Habre regime was responsible for 40,000 deaths and disappearances.
In 2005, a court in Belgium issued a warrant for his arrest, claiming universal jurisdiction but, after Senegal referred the issue to the African Union, the AU asked Senegal to try Mr Habre "on behalf of Africa".In 2005, a court in Belgium issued a warrant for his arrest, claiming universal jurisdiction but, after Senegal referred the issue to the African Union, the AU asked Senegal to try Mr Habre "on behalf of Africa".
Progress has been slow, as Senegal's previous President Abdoulaye Wade appeared to be reluctant to put him on trial.Progress has been slow, as Senegal's previous President Abdoulaye Wade appeared to be reluctant to put him on trial.
He first said the country lacked funding and then, apparently fed up with the process, suggested Mr Habre should be sent back to Chad where he had already been sentenced to death.He first said the country lacked funding and then, apparently fed up with the process, suggested Mr Habre should be sent back to Chad where he had already been sentenced to death.
President Macky Sall, elected in 2012, agreed to a trial in a special tribunal set up within the Senegalese court system, and in 2013 the African Extraordinary Chambers was established with AU backing.President Macky Sall, elected in 2012, agreed to a trial in a special tribunal set up within the Senegalese court system, and in 2013 the African Extraordinary Chambers was established with AU backing.
The court was set up to deal with crimes committed in Chad between 1982 and 1990.The court was set up to deal with crimes committed in Chad between 1982 and 1990.
Mr Habre was indicted in 2013, but he refused to co-operate with the special court.Mr Habre was indicted in 2013, but he refused to co-operate with the special court.