حكومة السودان تعتقل وتعذب ضحايا صراع دارفور

SOAT Press Release: 17 August 2004

Arrest and torture of IDP's from Kalma Camp



On 15 August 2004, the police forces, security forces and armed forces, arrested 50 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kalma IDP camp, 17 kilometres east of Nyala, southern Darfur state. The men were detained by the military for one day. On 16 August 2004, the IDP's were transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) police station.



The 50 IDPs alleged that they were tortured by the armed forces during their arrest from camp. The were beaten with sticks and hands on all over their bodies and flogged on their backs and shoulders to extract their confession that the men encouraged and abetted the IDPs in the camp to refuse to return back to their village.



Their trial began on the same morning, 16 August 2004, at the Nyala Criminal Court where the IDPs were charged under article 69 (public nuisance and disturbance) of the 1991 Penal Code.



On 17 August 2004, the Public Order Court in Nyala sentenced the 50 IDPs to one month imprisonment and 20,000 Sudanese Dinars (US$70). The names of those convicted are attached.



In a separate incident, on 3 August 2004, 5 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kalma IDP camp were arrested by the National Security Agency (NSA). The 5 men were taken to the security offices in Nyala and detained for 2 days. On 5 August, the detainees were transferred to Nyala prison. The names of the IDPs are as follows:



Abdel Salam mohamed, 25 yrs
Ali Alnour Ahmed, 24 yrs
Salah Aldin Babiker, 18 yrs
Joumaa Adam Haggar, 18 yrs
Adam Adam, 19 yrs


Whilst in detention at the security offices, the men were allegedly tortured by the security officers. They were beaten with sticks, water pipes and flogged with leather whip. They were beaten on their ######### and legs and flogged on their backs. Soon after in the prison they asked the officers to take them to the hospital but they refused.



The detainees are accused of attacking the office of the Humanitarian Aid Commissioner in the camp and injuring a police officer. Their trial began on 16 August 2004, at the Nyala Criminal Court. The five IDPs are represented by three lawyers, Mr. Mossaad Ali, Mr. Mohamed Alsoulaymi and Mr. Mohamed Ali.

At the end of the session, they were taken to Nyala General Prison; the next session is to be held on 19 August 2004.

Background



The last month has seen repeated attacks and alleged torture by security officers on IDPs in the Kalma camp. On 31 July 2004, 22 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the camp were arrested and allegedly tortured by the National Security Agency (NSA) following attempts by the government to forcefully return people to their communities. The IDPs are charged under article 69 (public nuisance and disturbance) of the 1991 Penal Code. 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 was due to be held on 7 August 2004 but has been postponed.



SOAT believes that the action of the government constitutes 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.



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



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


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


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


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


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




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. Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim,
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

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