Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 3 May 2005

Disappearance of 3 Men in Nyala

On 20 April 2005, armed men in military uniform stopped a passenger bus travelling from Belail Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp to Nyala and boarded the bus. The armed men selected three male passengers belonging to the Zaghawa tribe and ordered them off the bus. According to eyewitness accounts, the armed men beat the three passengers with the butt of their guns before taking them away in a Land Rover. The details of the passengers are as follows:

1. Ahmed Manees Maalla, (60 yrs), from Marla and lives in Nyala

2. Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor, (34 yrs), from Marla

3. Ibrahim Khidir Abdella, (30 yrs), from Marla

The Omda (Mayor) of the Zaghawa group has visited the police stations and security offices in Nyala but the whereabouts of the three men are unknown.

SOAT expresses fears for the safety of the three men and is calling on the GoS to immediately investigate the incident, make known their whereabouts and give assurances that they will not be tortured or ill-treated.

SOAT strongly condemns the continued attacks and terrorisation of civilians in Darfur and urges the Government of Sudan to:

Immediately disarm any outlaws operating in the Darfur Region and adhere to it commitments under the ceasefire agreement and all subsequent agreements;

Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella;

Allow Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella immediate and unrestricted access to their family and any medical treatment that they may need;

Ensure that Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella have access to legal advice;

Order the immediate release of Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella in the absence of valid legal charges, or if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;

Immediately cease all attacks on civilians and adhere to commitments under the ceasefire agreement;

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;

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 other SOAT information, please contact us at:

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