Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 9 May 2005

Darfur: Arbitrary Arrest and Torture

While there has been no reported bombardments on villages in Darfur, the ferociousness and complete disregard for international standards of human rights in which the government chose to fight the rebel opposition group in Darfur has resulted in state of complete impunity. Large parts of Darfur are now in a state of complete banditry along with the widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights by government forces and its aligned militias.

On 3 May 2005, armed militias under the command of an army officer named as Sergeant Jomm’a arrested Mohamed Abdel Hamead Neel, (22 yrs), a student belonging to the Zaghawa tribe. Mr. Mohamed was arrested from Kashalengo village, Southeast of Nyala and taken to a military camp in Kashalengo where he was detained.

While in detention, Mr. Mohamed was subjected to torture. Sergeant Jomm’a and other officers tied Mr. Mohamed’s legs, beat him with the butt of their guns on his head and flogged him all over his body. They also confiscated 3 million Sudanese dollars and accused him of supporting the armed rebel group in Darfur.

On 7 May 2005, Mr. Mohamed was released and is facing no official charges. Mr. Mohamed is receiving treatment at Amel Medical Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims in Nyala, SOAT partner organisation in Nyala.

SOAT condemns the arrest and torture of Mohamed Abdel Hamead Neel and is calling on the GoS to undertake an investigation into the arrest and torture of Mr. Osman Ali Ahmed and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

SOAT calls on the government of Sudan to:

Investigate the arrest and torture of Mohamed Abdel Hamead Neel and ensure that the perpetrators are brought before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;

End impunity for crimes committed by the security apparatus in order to bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;

Disarm armed militias immediately and any outlaws operating in the Darfur region;

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 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