11/05/05

Your Excellency,

Re: Appeal Against the Arrest and Detention of Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr Yasir Saleem

We are writing on behalf of the above persons who have been charged with crimes against the Sudanese State under articles 53 and 57 of the penal code on 10th May 2005. We understand that these articles relate to alleged “Espionage against the Country“ and “ Entering and Photographing Military Areas and Works”.

In common with Amnesty International and other worldwide human rights organizations, this organization considers that Dr Mudawi Adam and Mr Saleem are prisoners of conscience held solely for their defense of human rights. There is no substantive evidence to suggest that Dr Adam or Mr Saleem have been engaged in the kind of activities that the State alleges. Further, Dr Adam has an international reputation and a long track record for the human rights work; work that the government is well aware of. There is, in short, no conceivable justification for the charges levied against him or Mr Saleem by the Government of Sudan and the National Security Forces.

As we are all aware, seditious activities carry exceptionally heavy penalties that include but are not limited to the death penalty. In consideration of the points raised above, this organization submits that there is no basis for Dr Adam’s or Mr Saleem’s continued detention, which contravenes international standards of both justice and human rights. We therefore urge you to review his case without delay and to:

• Facilitate the immediate release of Dr Adam and Mr Saleem in the absence of valid legal charges. If such charges allegedly exist, ensure that proceedings are conducted in an impartial tribunal constituted in accordance with international legal norms and regulations.

• Ensure that Dr Adam and Mr Saleem have unhindered and confidential access to legal representation.

• Ensure the physical integrity of Dr Adam and Mr Saleem at all times

• Allow unrestricted access to their families and/or relevant persons who need to visit them in relation to their case.

• Cease targeting members of indigenous African tribes in Darfur, West Sudan for racially and politically motivated reasons.

• Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms - including freedom of association - throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Failure to comply with such international standards and norms will be documented on a case by case basis and supplied for later use in tribunals constituted for the purposes of pursuing crimes against International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.

Yours sincerely,

Darfur Centre for Human Rights & Development
P.O Box 48299
London W2 7YG
UK
By phone in the UK: 07786 984832 or 07930 691575
By phone in the USA: 001 267 992 2004
Email: [email protected]