أعتقالات في دارفور

SOAT

Sudan Organisation Against Torture





SOAT Press Release: 30 July 2004

Darfur: Human Rights defender Arrested



On 24 July 2004, Mr. Aba Zer Ahmed Abu Al Bashir from Berti tribe, 42 yrs, a lawyer and human rights defender, was arrested by the security forces from his office in Nyala.



It is alleged that Mr. Aba Zer was arrested due to his activities in human rights. Mr. Aba Zer was arrested, as well as ten other peace activists and tribal leaders in Southern Darfur, after the submission of a memorandum to the Governor of Southern Darfur state to put an end to the conflict in the state eight days earlier.



He is currently being detained at the security Offices in Nyala with no official charges against him. He has been denied any visits.



SOAT believes that Mr. Aba is being detained solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions and human rights activities.



Background



In recent months there has been an increase in the number of human rights defenders and activists being targeted and subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention by the security forces, especially in Darfur. On 16 June 2004, Mr. Adel Abdullah Nasir Aldeain Saeed, a lawyer with SOAT network in Nyala, was arrested by the security forces from his office. Mr. Adel remains in detention, and he has not been charged with any offence.



Also, on 5 May 2004, security forces in Zalingy arrested and detained Osman Adam Abdel Mawla, a human rights activist working for Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO), Nyala branch, a locally registered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).



SOAT urges Sudan to respect its obligations as a party to the African Charter, which under Article 6 states “no one may be arbitrarily arrested or detained.” In addition, Sudan is state party to the UN Declaration of Human Rights which under Article 9 provides, “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”



SOAT condemns these arbitrary arrests of human rights defenders and urges the Government of Sudan to put an end to the harassment and detention of all human rights activists and urges the Government of Sudan to:



Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Aba Zer Ahmed Abu Al Bashir.


To allow them immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may need


Order the immediate release of Aba Zer Ahmed Abu Al Bashir 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 Aba Zer Ahmed Abu Al Bashir has 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

His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Mohamed Al- Hassan Ahmed Al-Haj
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva,
PO Box 335,
1211 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +4122 731 26 56,
E-mail: [email protected].


SOAT is 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

The Park Business Centre
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



END.

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SOAT

Sudan Organisation Against Torture





SOAT Press Release: 2 August 2004

Darfur: Arrest of Woman Activist and a Lawyer in Nyala



On 29 July 2004, the National Security Agency (NSA) in Nyala arrested Ms. Buthayna Mohamed Ahmed, 36 yrs, from the Fur tribe, a teacher and an activist in the Sudan Women Union, an organisation associated with the Sudanese government and the Popular National Congress. Ms. Buthayna was arrested from her house in Nyala at 1 pm and taken to the security offices in Nyala where she was detained for one day. On 30 July she was transferred to Nyala General Prison.



It is alleged that she was arrested because she made calls for peace and disarmament of the militias in Darfur through the Sudan Women Union in Nyala. Ms. Buthayna has been denied visits and no official charges have been brought against her.





In a separate incident, on 31 July 2004, the NSA in Nyala arrested Mr. Nourain Mohamed Yousif, 31 yrs, lawyer from the Zaghawa tribe. He was arrested from his office in Nyala at 11 am and taken to the security offices, where he is being detained. He faces no official charge and has been denied visits. He was arrested on suspicion of joining the armed opposition.



There are serious concerns that Ms. Buthayna Mohamed Ahmed and Mr. Nourain Mohamed Yousif may be at risk of torture as there have been several reports of torture during detention in Nyala.



SOAT condemns these arbitrary arrests of Ms. Buthayna Mohamed Ahmed and Mr. Nourain Mohamed Yousif and urges the Government of Sudan to:



Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Buthayna Mohamed Ahmed and Mr. Nourain Mohamed Yousif.


Order their immediate release 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 they 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

His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Mohamed Al- Hassan Ahmed Al-Haj
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva,
PO Box 335,
1211 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +4122 731 26 56,
E-mail: [email protected].


SOAT is 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



END.

نحتج وندين ونطالب بايقاف اي حوار مع هذا النظام المجرم.

عادل

Sudan Organisation Against Torture





SOAT Press Release: 3 August 2004

Darfur: Arrest of IDP's following disturbances in camp



On 31 July 2004, the National Security Agency (NSA) arrested 22 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kalma camp. The camp is located 17 kilometres east of Nyala, southern Darfur state. The information received confirms that the arrest took place after disturbances at the IDP's camp following the IDP's refusal at the authority’s attempts to return them to their villages. The IDP's insist that there is no clear protection offered to them by the government and that they fear Janjaweed attacks upon their return. The authority restored order to the Camp and arrested 22 individuals who were accused by security officers as leaders of the Camp.



Initially, the 22 individuals were taken to the security office in Nyala and detained for one day. On 1 August 2004 the detainees were transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) Police station and on the 2 August 2004 the 22 individuals were officially charged by the NSA under article 69 of the 1991 Penal Code, "public
nuisance and disturbance"



Their trial began on the same morning, 2 August 2004, at the Nyala Criminal Court and they were allowed to be represented by two lawyers, Mr. Mossad Ali and Mr. Mohamed Ali Hassan. At the end of the session, they were taken to Nyala General Prison; the next session is to be held on 7 August 2004.



The detainees alleged that they have been tortured by the security officers during their detention to extract their confession that they caused the disturbances at the refugee camp. They have been beaten with sticks on their arms, #########, ears, backs and all over their bodies,



Their lawyers requested medical examination and the court accepted the request. A medical application form has been issued by the police to send them to the hospital to confirm the injuries and to receive medical treatment.




The names of IDP's who were arrested, all males, are as follows:


1. Abdella Bashir, 23 yrs (currently in hospital)
2. Abdel Wahab Abdel Rahman Adam, 30 yrs
3. Adam Mahadi Mohamed Ahmed, 23 yrs
4. Malik Mansour Mohamed Bakhit, 20yrs
5. Abu Algasim Mohamed Ibrahim, 21 Yrs
6. Abdella Ibrahim Mango, 28 Yrs
7. Yaseen Mohamed Arabi, 22 Yrs
8. Suleiman Musa Mohamed, 23 Yrs
9. Saif Aldin Salih Adam, 21 Yrs
10. Mohamed Adam Abdella, 22 Yrs
11. Abdella Osman Mohamed Salih, 23 Yrs
12. Abbas Omer Ishag, 22 Yrs
13. Mohamed Abaker Jali, 23 Yrs
14. Izzeldin Abdella Ali, 23 Yrs
15. Mahmoud Mohamed Salih, 22 Yrs
16. Baher Aldin Bashir Sharief 22 Yrs
17. Adam Abdel Rahman Suleiman 22 Yrs
18. Gamer Aldin Mohamed Ibrahim 22 Yrs
19. Yousif Abdella Omer, 22 Yrs
20. Abdella Yousif Tijani 27 Yrs
21. Mustafa Ahmed Jabralla, 19 Yrs
22. Nour Aldin Babiker Hassan





Forceful relocation or return of IDPs and refugees is against all international humanitarian laws and the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 8 June 1977. According to reports, IDPs who have return to their communities have suffered frequent attacks and have been subject to intimidation by the Janjaweed militia. Despite these incidents, government officials have been employing coercive methods to persuade IDPs to return to their homes. It has been four weeks since the GoS signed a joint communiqué with the Secretary-General on its commitment to take specific actions to address the situation in Darfur and which stipulates under Section 3 Security that the GoS is “ensure that immediate action is taken to rebuild the confidence of the vulnerable population and that any return of the displaced to their homes is done in a truly voluntary manner in line with the current Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement.” In addition, UN Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004) Adopted by the Security Council at its 5015th meeting, on 30 July 2004 demands that “any return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes must take place voluntarily with adequate assistance and with sufficient security.” Failure by the GoS to comply with this resolution will result in further action being taken by the UN.



SOAT condemns the continued violations of the ceasefire agreement and all subsequent agreements and urges the Government of Sudan to:



i. Commit to the voluntary return of IDPs, ensure safe passage, and compensate IDPs for loss of livelihood caused by the arbitrary seizure of lands and to return these lands



ii. Immediately cease incorporating Janjaweed into the armed and police forces and police and arming them



iii. Disarm the Janjaweed militias immediately and any outlaws operating in the western Darfur region



iv. Guarantee immediate and unrestricted access to the region and the camps for aid, human rights monitors/defenders and political activists



v. End impunity for crimes committed by the Janjaweed militias in order to bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law



vi. Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards



vii. Immediately cease attacks on civilians



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

His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Mohamed Al- Hassan Ahmed Al-Haj
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva,
PO Box 335,
1211 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +4122 731 26 56,
E-mail: [email protected].


SOAT is 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

SOAT

Sudan Organisation Against Torture





SOAT Press Release: 4 August 2004

Arrest and torture of Zaghawa tribe member



On 29 July 2004 the military intelligence arrested Mr. Yahya Ismail Omer, 34 yrs, farmer, from the Zaghawa tribe. He was arrested from his house in Marla, 25 kilometres south of Nyala. He was arrested in suspicion of supporting the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) He was taken and detained at the military intelligence offices in Nyala.



It was alleged that during his detention the officers have tortured him during his detention; they kicked him on his stomach, tied his arms with rope, and punched him on his face and his head to force him to confess that he is supporting the opposition group. Currently, there are no confirmations whether he remains in detention at the military intelligence offices in Nyala.





SOAT condemns the arbitrary arrest and treatment of Mr. Yahya Ismail Omer and urges the Government of Sudan to:



i. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Yahya Ismail Omer



ii. To allow them immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may require



ii. Order the immediate release of Mr. Yahya Ismail Omer 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.



iii. Ensure that Mr. Yahya Ismail Omer has access to legal advice



iv. 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

His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Mohamed Al- Hassan Ahmed Al-Haj
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva,
PO Box 335,
1211 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +4122 731 26 56,
E-mail: [email protected].


SOAT is 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