Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 09 November 2005

Darfur: Continued Harassment of IDP leaders

On 25 October 2005, SOAT reported the arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detention of two prominent IDP leaders from Kalma Internally Displaced Persons camp on 23 October 2005;

1. Soulieman Abaker Taha, (56 yrs), Fur tribe, leader of the Sheikhs (Omda)

2. Tigani Ahmed, (37 yrs), Fur tribe, Sheikh

On 26 October, following an application submitted to the Attorney General by SOAT’s partner organisation in Nyala, the Amel Medical Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, Soulieman Abaker Taha was released on bail after he was officially charged under Article 162 (Kidnapping) of the 1991 Penal Code.

While in detention at the security offices in Nyala, Mr. Taha was allegedly subjected to torture. Security officers reportedly beat him on his body and on his head with their hands and with the butts of their guns.

On 31 October 2005 at 13.30pm, security officers entered Kalma camp and rearrested Mr. Taha. No reason was given for the revocation of Mr. Taha’s bail.

Following appeals by UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the African Union (AU), police officers at Nyala stated that Mr. Taha was being detained as part of police investigations into the kidnapping of eighteen employees of WES who were taken hostage by IDPs inside Kalma following Mr. Taha’s initial arrest on 23 October and who are all now released.

Mr. Tigani Ahmed remains in detention at the security forces custody centre in Nyala and is facing no charges.

SOAT condemns the harassment and detention of these two men and expresses concern for their safety and well being. Clearly the detention of these men is designed to curtail the organizing influence of IDP leaders in Kalma and to further intimidate other IDPs.

SOAT urges the Government of Sudan (GoS) to immediately undertake an investigation into the reported torture of Omda Soulieman Abaker Taha and into all reported cases of torture of civilians in Darfur, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

SOAT calls on the GoS to:

i. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Omda Soulieman Abaker Taha and Sheikh Tigani Ahmed;

ii. Allow the two men immediate and unrestricted access to their families and any medical treatment that they may require;

iii. Order the immediate release of Omda Soulieman Abaker Taha and Sheikh Tigani Ahmed 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

iv. Ensure that the two men have access to their lawyers

v. Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and 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 Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
President’s Palace
PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 783223

His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit

First Vice-President
People's Palace

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

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

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

Mr. Lam Akol Ajawin

Minister of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 779383

Mr. Al Zubeir Beshir Taha

Minister of Interior
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

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