Sudan Organisation Against Torture

Human Rights Alert: 24 October 2005

On 17 October 2005 at 17.10hrs, security officers and security guards at Omdurman Islamic University, detained and reportedly tortured eight student activists from Khartoum University, Gazeera University, Omdurman Islamic University and Alahlia University.

The details of the students are as follows:

1. Abdelsalam Hassabu Ibrahim, (29 yrs), student at Gazeera University, Faculty of Education, member of Sudanese Students Democratic Front (SSDF)

2. Abdelmohsin Alniaama Abdelmalik, (27 yrs), graduated in December 2005 from Faculty of Engineering at Omdurman Islamic University

3. Yasin Mohamed Ahmed Alzain, (29 yrs), student at Omdurman Alahlia University, Faculty of Arts, member of SSDF

4. Mogahid Yousif Mohamed Ahmed, (24 yrs), student at University of Khartoum, Faculty of Education, member of SSDF

5. Mokhlis Mohamed Ali Abdallah, student at Khartoum University, Faculty of Science

6. Abdelazeez Gomaa Yahia (25yrs), student at Khartoum University, Faculty of Arts, member of SSDF

7. Alrazi Hassabu Ibrahim (24 yrs), student at Alnilain University, Faculty of Commerce member of SSDF

8. Mohamed Ibrahim Yousif (26 yrs), student at Khartoum University, Faculty of Arts, member of SSDF

The students who are all members of Al-Gazeera and Al-Managil Farmers’ Sons Alliance (Tahaluf Abnaa Mozariaae Algazeera wa Almanagil)) were detained inside the university accommodation halls after they held a public meeting inside the halls on the situation of farmers in Algazeera and Almnanagil, following the government policies of Privatisation.

Initially, security officers and the security guards questioned the students together about their political affiliations. The students were then ordered and forced into a room individually.

Whilst in the room, the students were reportedly subjected to torture and ill treatment. The students were slapped on their faces and ears, beaten with water hoses, with butt of machine guns and with sticks.

The students were also questioned and ordered to confess their political affiliations and the affiliations of the leading members of Al -Gazeera and Al-Managel Farmers Alliance.

The students were eventually released at 02:00 am on 18 October 2005, after they were forced to sign an undertaken that they would not discuss their detention and treatment with anyone including any human rights organisation. Pictures of the injuries sustained by the students are attached.

SOAT strongly condemns the detention and torture of the students and urge the government of Sudan to immediately undertake an investigation into the incident and into all other students that have been arrested, tortured and detained for exercising their fundamental human rights and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Background

Since July 2005, SOAT has documented the arbitrary arrests, detention and torture of numerous students from Universities across Sudan by security officers and the National Congress Party student militia wing. It is alleged that certain students are being targeted and threatened to join the National Congress party or to refrain from any political activities.

SOAT recalls Article 33 of the Interim Constitution which provides that “No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment” and urges the government to abide by this anti-torture principle as enshrined in the Constitution. In addition the Constitution guarantees the right of freedom of association. Article 40 (1) asserts that “...every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade or professional unions for the protection of his interests.”

Moreover, SOAT calls on the government to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which it is obligated State Party; and which provides under Article 22 (1), “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.”

SOAT strongly urges the Government of Sudan to:

Investigate the detention and torture of all the students and to bring the perpetrators before an impartial tribunal and guaranteed procedural rights at all times;
Immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and harassment of students in Sudan;
To disband its various militia groups and to end impunity for crimes committed by the security forces and the various militia groupings affiliated to the government;
Undertake an immediate comprehensive reform of the security forces including the immediate disarmament and reintegration of persons exercising police powers who are not part of the regular forces;
Guarantee, protect and implement the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Interim Constitution particularly ;
Guarantee respect for 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 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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