Chad

Human rights defenders in Chad suffer from the culture of impunity, absence of rule of law and political instability that is prevalent throughout the country. The extreme political repression in Chad forms the backdrop to severe restrictions on freedom of expression. Defenders have reportedly been subjected to threats, harassment, stigmatization, physical assault, arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detention, judicial proceedings and ill-treatment and torture while in detention. Journalists and lawyers have been targeted.

As the conflict in Darfur has spread into areas of Chad, human rights defenders who criticize government actions have been accused of being rebel supporters. Journalists who voice opposition to government policies (including enlistment of child soldiers) have reportedly been accused of defamation and/or incitement to hatred, and a radio station operated by human rights NGOs has closed due to the harassment and detention of its journalists. The state of emergency declared in November 2006 imposes prior censorship on the print media and severely limits the freedom of expression of human rights defenders.