Film seminar: Hissein Habré, a Chadian tragedy, with Mirjam de Bruijn and Clément Abaïfouta

Still from movie Hissein Habré

Former Chad dictator Hissein Habré is the first African leader convicted in another African country for genocide, torture and crimes against humanity. During this HagueTalks, hold on the International Day of Human Rights, you will hear the stories of the victims of Habré in the documentary ‘Hissein Habré, a Chadian Tragedy’.
The documentary is introduced by Chad expert Mirjam de Bruijn. After de screening of the documentary, former prisoner Clément Abaïfouta will talk about his testimony during the trial, and about the importance of the conviction for him and the other victims. He will also talk with the audience about the impossible question: How should a society continue after so much violence and pain?

This documentary will be screened in the framework of Hague Talks (#24).

Read more and register on the Humanity House website.

About this documentary

The Chadian dictator Hissein Habré’s reign of terror lasted from 1982 to 1990. During his reign, the secret police force tortured hundreds of thousands of political prisoners, resulting in nearly 40,000 deaths. Director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun wanted to document these virtually unknown events through the victims’ testimonies, so he visited some of them, accompanied by the chairman of the Association of the Victims of the Hissein Habré Regime. He gives them a voice and in some cases brings them into contact with former members of the secret police.
Join the discussion and stay updated via the Hague Talk Facebook event.

Speakers

Mirjam de Bruijn is an Anthropologist and Africanist at the Leiden University. She focuses on West and Central Africa and has worked in Chad’s capital N’Djamena and in Central Chad. She has coordinated projects around reconciliation and music amongst youth. She has founded Voice4Thought, a festival for young African musicians. Mirjam travels to Chad on a regular basis.

Clément Abaïfouta is a Frontman of the Association of the Victims of the Hissein Habré Regime. Clément plays an important role in the documentary. He was one of the witnesses during the trial against Hissein Habré.

Date, time and location

10 December 2017
15.30 - 17.45
Humanity House, Prinsegracht 8, Den Haag
Entrance: free
Posted on 4 December 2017, last modified on 4 December 2017