Darfur: Arbitrary Detentions and Fear of Torture
SOAT is gravely concerned by the continued arrests and detention without charge of civilians in Darfur for their perceived support of the rebel opposition group, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), by government security apparatus.
1. On 3 March 2005, police officers in Nyala arrested Adam Fadoul Abaker (43 yrs), from his home in the Hey Khartoum Bilail neighbourhood of Nyala, on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Adam was taken to police head quarters in Nyala where he remains in detention and is facing no official charges. Mr. Adam’s family were allowed to visit him shortly after his detention and they report that Mr. Adam has been tortured. It is not known whether Mr. Adam has received medical treatment as his family have been denied further access.
2. On 1 February 2005, military intelligence in Zalingy arrested Abaker Abdel Khalig Mohamed Khameas (35 yrs), a farmer from Balong, near Nertati, on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Abaker was taken to military detention centre in Zalingy where he remains in detention and is facing no official charges.
3. On 12 October 2004, security forces from Nertati arrested Moudasir Soulieman Osman Bahr Aldean (17 yrs), a student, on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Moudasir was taken to Zalingy general prison where he remains in detention and is facing no official charges.
4. On 28 September 2004, military intelligence in Zalingy arrested Omer Soulieman Haroun (57 yrs), from Nertati on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Omer was taken to military detention centre in Zalingy. Six months after his detention, Mr. Omer remains in detention and is facing no official charges.
5. On 15 August 2004, security forces arrested Ishag Bol Bol (38 yrs), a farmer from Nertati, on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Ishag was taken to the national security detention centre in Zalingy. Mr. Ishag remains in detention and is facing no official charges.
6. On 06 June 2004, security forces arrested Yousif Haroun Rahma (29 yrs), a student from Nertati on suspicion of supporting the SLA. Mr. Yousif was taken to Zalingy general prison where he remains in detention without charge.
Since January 2005, SOAT has documented the arbitrary arrests and detention of over 45 civilians reportedly tortured in Darfur for their perceived support of the SLA. Out of this figure, the whereabouts of 12 persons are unknown and 25 civilians remain in detention. SOAT expresses fears for the detainees and calls upon the government of Sudan (GoS) to give assurances that they will not be tortured or ill-treated.
SOAT strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of these men and calls on the government of Sudan to:
Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees.
Immediately release all the detainees 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.
Ensure that all the detainees have access to legal advice
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 Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
President' s Palace
PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 783223
Mr. Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 788941
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:
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