Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 12 April 2005

Darfur: Arbitrary Arrest, Tortured, Risk of Hanging

On 24 December 2004, the armed forces arrested Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed, (23 yrs), a farmer from Tur village, Western Jebel Marra province, Southern Darfur State.

Initially Mr. Osman was taken to military detention centre in Tur where he was detained for two days and reportedly tortured by an army officer named as Nazar and three other officers. Allegedly, the officers tied Mr. Osman’s arms and legs, beat him with sticks on his head and shoulders, and kicked him on his sides.

On 26 December 2004, Mr. Osman was transferred to the military intelligence detention centre in Kass town, Jebel Marra province where he was subjected to further torture. Reportedly, an officer named Babikir, who is based in Kass town ordered soldiers to torture Mr. Osman. The officers inserted the neck of a bottle into Mr. Osman’s anus, burnt him with fire on his chest and arms and cut him with knife on his hands and neck.

On 6 January 2005, Mr. Osman was moved from Kass town and taken to the military intelligence detention centre in Nyala, Southern Darfur State, where he was detained for 6 days and subjected once again to torture. Mr. Osman was flogged on his back and all over his body by an officer reportedly named officer Jamal.

On 12 January 2005, Mr. Osman was transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) police station where he was officially charged under articles 51 (Waging War against the State) and article 58 (Abetment of Mutiny) of the 1991 Penal Code. Following the official charges, on 20 January 2005, Mr. Osman was transferred to Nyala prison where he remains in detention and is awaiting trial.

The gross violations of human rights including arbitrary arrests, detentions and harassments continue apace in the Darfur region. The targeting and widespread recourse to torture of civilians accused of supporting and joining the rebellion with impunity remains systematic. SOAT condemns the arrest and torture of Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed, and is calling on the GoS to undertake an investigation into the torture of Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

SOAT calls on the government of Sudan to:

Immediately investigate allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators to justice;
Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed;
Allow Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may require;
Ensure that Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed has access to legal advice;

Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;

The above recommendations should be sent in appeals to the following
addresses:

His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
President' s Palace
PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 783223

Mr. Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 788941

Mr. Mustafa Osman Ismail
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 779383

Dr. Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha
Advisory Council for Human Rights
PO Box 302
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 770883

Permanent Representative:

His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Elhassan Ahmed Elhaj

Ambassador

Avenue Blanc 47

1202 Geneva

Tel: 022 731 26 63

Fax: 022 731 26 56

Email: [email protected]

SOAT is an international human rights organisation established in the UK in 1993. If you have any questions about this or any other SOAT information, please contact us:

SOAT
Argo House
Kilburn Park Road
London NW6 5LF, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7625 8055
Fax: +44 (0)20 7372 2656
E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.soatsudan.org