Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 13 March 2006

Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Human Rights Defender Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Human Rights Defender Arbitrary Arrest; Incommunicado Detention; Fear of Torture of Human Rights Defender in Toker, Eastern Sudan

On 01 October 2005, police officers at Mayo police Station, Khartoum arrested Mohamed Ahmed Alarbab, (40 yrs), a lawyer and a human rights defender. Mr. Alarbab, who lives in Kalakla was arrested was at the entrance of Mayo Police Station. Mr. Alarbab was working on cases of persons arrested following riots in the Soba Aradi area of Khartoum in May 2005.

On 10 March 2006, officers from Military Intelligence in Toker, Eastern Sudan arrested Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail, also known as Hussain Zikir, (32 yrs), lives in Daim Alnour, Port Sudan, student and a human rights defender and a member of SOAT network of Students.

Mr. Ismail went to Toker on 6 March 2006 to investigate human rights violations committed in 1997.

No reason was given for the arrests of Mr. Ismail and his family have been denied visits. Mr. Ismail whereabouts is unknown. SOAT believes that Mr. Ismail was arrested solely for his investigation into human rights abuses in Toker.

SOAT is gravely concerned about the health and safety of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail and fears that he may be subjected to torture and ill treatment. SOAT calls upon the government of Sudan (GoS) to immediately investigate the arrest make known the whereabouts of the Mr. Ismail; ensure that a Mr. Ismail is allowed access to medical treatment, to legal counsel and to give assurances that he will not be subjected to torture or ill treatment.

SOAT calls on the Government of Sudan to put an end to the harassment and detention of human rights activists in Sudan and urges the Government of Sudan to:

i. Immediately make known the whereabouts of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail and allow him immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may require;

ii. Order the immediate release of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail in the absence of valid legal charges or if legitimate charges exist, bring him before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;

iii. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail;

iv. Ensure that Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail has access to legal advice;

v. Immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and to respect international humanitarian law and to end impunity for crimes committed by the government security forces;

vi. Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws, the National Interim Constitution and international human rights laws and 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