Chad: Further Information: Three detained activists falsely charged
Three Chadian activists being detained at the Amsinene prison are facing false charges for their role in calling for peaceful protests. They are prisoners of conscience.
Further Information on UA: 92/17 Index: AFR 20/6114/2017Chad Date: 27 April 2017
URGENT ACTION
THREE DETAINED ACTIVISTS FALSELY CHARGED
Three Chadian activists being detained at the Amsinene prison are facing false charges
for their role in calling for peaceful protests. They are prisoners of conscience.
Nadjo Kaina Palmer, spokesperson of the citizen movement IYINA (‘We are tired’ in local Arabic) and Bertrand
Sollo, the Francophone National Rapporteur of IYINA were arrested on 6 and 15 April respectively, while
Dingamnayal Nely Versinis, president of "Collectif Tchadien Contre la Vie Chère" was arrested on 12 April. All
three were arrested by National Security Agency (ANS) agents and were held incommunicado until they were
brought to the Judicial Police headquarters in N’Djamena on 24 April. They were interrogated by the judicial police
in the absence of their lawyers on the same day. Nadjo Kaina Palmer and Bertrand Sollo were on 26 April charged
with attempted conspiracy and calling an unauthorized gathering, while Dingamnayal Nely Versinis was charged
with fraud and usage of a false title. Dingamnayal Nely Versinis is ill and his condition is deteriorating since he has
not had access to his medication. All three are detained at the Amsinene prison of N’Djamena.
Nadjo Kaina Palmer was arrested after he showed up to see the ANS Director who had summoned him regarding a
peaceful demonstration that had been set for 10 April to protest against corruption and impunity. Bertrand Sollo
was arrested while on his way to attend a media interview. Dingamnayal Nely Versinis was arrested at the
N'Djamena city hall, after being summoned to the venue by city hall officials. His arrest occurred after he called on
the traders of the N’Djamena Millet Market to take part in a strike to protest against an increase in the market booth
prices.
Amnesty International considers Nadjo Kaina Palmer, Bertrand Sollo and Dingamnayal Nely Versinis to be
prisoners of conscience solely detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Please write immediately in French, Arabic, English or your own language:
Urging the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Nadjo Kaina, Bertrand Sollo and
Dingamnayal Nely Versinis as they are prisoners of conscience arrested and detained solely for peacefully
exercising their right to freedom of expression;
Urging them to ensure that Nadjo Kaina, Bertrand Sollo and Dingamnayal Nely Versinis are not subjected
to torture and other ill-treatment pending their release, and are allowed regular access to their lawyers, to
family visits, to medical attention and medication and to all basic necessities;
Urging the authorities to end all forms of intimidation and harassment, in particular by the ANS, against all
other human rights activists and defenders in Chad.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 8 JUNE 2017 TO:
Minister of Justice
Ahmat Mahamat Hassan
Ministry of Justice
P.O. Box 2100
N’Djamena, Chad
Email: ahmatconseiller@yahoo.fr or
angarboa@gmail.com
Salutation: Dear Minister
Public Prosecutor
Mahamat Saleh Youssouf
P.O. Box 1702
N’Djamena Chad
Email: msyoussouf6@gmail.com
Salutation: Dear Public Prosecutor
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update of UA 92/17. Further information:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr20/6077/2017/en/
URGENT ACTION
THREE DETAINED ACTIVISTS FALSELY CHARGED
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During a press conference on 3 April, Nadjo Kaina Palmer called on Chadians to observe an "IYINA day" on 10 April, marking
the first anniversary since the 2016 presidential election. He encouraged them to dress in red or wear a red scarf on their heads
to express their discontent with the government’s mismanagement and “say no to bad governance, impunity and humiliation".
Amnesty International contacted the Minister of Justice and Public Prosecutor on 24 April and they confirmed that the three
activists had been transferred to the judicial police for investigations. So far no charges have been brought against them and
since 24 April, they have been allowed access to their lawyer and families.
Name: Nadjo Kaina, Bertrand Sollo and Dingamnayal Nely Versinis
Gender m/f: M
Further information on UA: 92/17 Index: AFR 20/6114/2017 Issue Date: 27 April 2017