SOAT
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
Human Rights Alert: 22 May 2006
Update: Release of Human Rights Defender in Nyala, Continual Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Human Rights Defender Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Human Rights Defender Harassment
On 17 May 2006, SOAT reported the incommunicado detention of Mossaad Mohamed Ali, lawyer and Coordinator of Amel Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Nyala, SOAT’s partner organisation in Darfur.
On 20 May 2006 at 17:30 hrs, Mr. Ali was released from security custody and was informed to report to the security offices the following day, 21 May 2006 at 08:00hrs.
Mr. Ali reported to the security offices and was detained until 12:00pm. Before his release, he was informed to report to the security offices again the following day, 22 May 2006 at 08.00.
Prior to his release on 19 May 2006, Mr. Ali’s family were allowed to visit him. The visit lasted five minutes. On the same day, 19 May, Mr. Ali was interrogated by security officers on the activities of the Amel Center.
SOAT is pleased to announce the release of Mossaad Mohamed Ali but remains gravely concerned that he continues to be harassed and summoned to the security offices on a daily basis.
Background
The Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture provides legal aid to victims of torture and sexual violence and represents individuals at risk of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments including the death penalty and amputations.
SOAT strongly condemns the continual harassment and intimidation of Mr. Mossaad Mohammed Ali. SOAT notes with concern that the daily summoning of Mr. Ali is a tactic to prevent Mr. Ali from carrying out his important and invaluable work.
SOAT reiterates its calls to the government of Sudan to respect its obligations under the African Commission Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, which states under article 1 that “freedom of expression and information, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other form of communication, including across frontiers, is a fundamental and inalienable human right and an indispensable component of democracy”; the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
SOAT calls on the government of Sudan to put an end to the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders in Darfur and urges the Government of Sudan to:
- Immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and harassment of Mossaad Mohamed Ali and all human rights defenders in Darfur;
- Investigate the detention and the continual harassment of Mr. Ali 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;
- 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 77088
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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