A comprehensive awareness campaign for the Forces of Defense and Security (FDS) commenced on May 21st at the Koumra Central Police Station. This crucial training aims to firmly embed respect for human rights and the imperative to combat impunity within military and security institutions.
Striking a balance between maintaining order and upholding human dignity remains a constant challenge. To address this, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have joined forces, focusing their efforts on judicial procedures.
This initiative, part of the Project to Support the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, includes active participation from military personnel, gendarmes, police officers, and members of Chad’s National and Nomadic Guard (GNNT). These vital sessions are being conducted directly within the barracks of these various armed forces units.
The project’s overarching goal is to prevent misconduct, break the cycle of impunity, and cultivate stronger trust between the community and those tasked with its protection.
Specifically, the program seeks to sensitize FDS members to the rigorous protection of human rights and the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It also familiarizes them with the intricate texts of Chadian military justice to ensure enhanced procedural strictness, and instills the Gendarmerie’s specific code of ethics among its members.
Beyond merely reiterating legal statutes, this campaign strives to fundamentally transform institutional culture, encouraging every officer to become an active guardian of fundamental freedoms.
Over two intensive days, UN experts and high-ranking officers are engaging in interactive discussions with the FDS. The packed agenda combines essential legal reminders, practical case studies, and candid debates on real-world scenarios faced by personnel on the ground.
By empowering its uniformed personnel against potential abuses and violence, Chad is taking a significant step towards developing an army that genuinely respects human rights. The ongoing challenge will be to translate these theoretical modules into tangible, daily practices on the ground, ultimately benefiting all citizens.