Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 27 June 2005

Darfur - Final Appeals against Death Sentence - Altayib Ali Ahmed

SOAT has been informed of the imminent execution of Altayib Ali Ahmed, (32 yrs) from the Fur tribe. According to reliable information inside Kober Prison, Khartoum Mr. Altayib, police officer is scheduled to be executed today (27 July 2005) at 14.30hrs. Mr. Altayib was arrested on suspicion of joining and working with the rebel opposition in the commission of the rebel attack on Al Fashir airport in Darfur in April 2003. Mr. Altayib was sentenced to death on 26 January 2004 and transferred from Darfur to Kober prison in Khartoum on 28-29 January 2004 to await execution.

Mr. Altayib was initially charged under articles 168 (armed robbery), 50 (Undermining the Constitutional System), 51(Waging War against the State), 182 (Manufacturing an Instrument for a Criminal Purpose), 65(Criminal and Terrorist Organisations), and 62 (Inciting Feelings of Unrest among Regular Forces and Abetment of Disturbing Order) of the 1991 Criminal Act.

In May 2004, following the proclamation of Amnesty by President Omer al Bashir, SOAT lawyers in Al Fashir submitted an application to the General Prosecutor requesting an amnesty for Mr. Altayib. The application led to the charge under article 168 being dropped from the list of charges.

SOAT is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty and strongly condemns its use by the Government of Sudan. SOAT is gravely concerned by the imminent execution of Altayib Ali Ahmed and by the procedures of the Special Courts, before which he was convicted. These courts fall far short of international standards of fair trials and do not provide for due process.

SOAT strongly urges the Government of Sudan to:

i) Abolish the death penalty in Sudan

ii) Ensure Mr. Altayib and all detainees in Sudan have access to legal appeal in accordance with international human rights standards

iii) Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms 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 Field Marshal Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
President' s Palace
PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 783223

His Excellency Ali Osman Mohamed Taha
First Vice-President
People's Palace

PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 771025

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:

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