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:

 

1. Immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and harassment of Mossaad Mohamed Ali and all human rights defenders in Darfur;
2. 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;
3. 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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