The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Sudan.
Brief description of the situation:
According to the information received, on March 10, 2006, Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail was arrested by officers from the Military Intelligence in Toker, Eastern Sudan, where he was investigating since March 6, 2006, into several human rights violations committed in that village in 1997.
No explanation was given for the arrest of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail, nor has he been charged with any offence. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The Observatory is deeply concerned by this arbitrary detention of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail, which seems to be in connection with his activities in defence of human rights, and fears that he may subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
Action requested:
Please write to the authorities of Sudan urging them to:
i. immediately make known the whereabouts of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail and guarantee in all circumstances his physical and psychological integrity, as well as that of all human rights defenders in the country as a whole, and put an end to all forms of harassment against them;
ii. release immediately and unconditionally Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail, in the absence of any valid charges against him;
iii. conform with the provisions of the Declaration on Humans Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, in particular article 1, which states that "everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels"; article 12.2 which provides that "the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually or in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration";
iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Sudan in accordance with international human rights standards.
Addresses:
· His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, Presidential Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 783 223
· Mr Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 183 788 941
· Mr Mustafa Lam Akol Ajawin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, fax : + 249 183 779 383
· Dr. Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha, Rapporteur, Advisory Council for Human Rights, PO Box 302, Khartoum (Sudan), Fax No.: + 249 183 77 08 83
· 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
· Prof. Ali Mohamed Ali Shommou, The National Press and Publications Council, P O Box 11111, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 183 77 19 25
· His Excellence Ambassador Mr. Mohamed Elhassan Ahmed Elhaj, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva, Avenue Blanc 47, 1202 Geneva, PO Box 335, 1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 731 26 56, Email: mission.sudan@bluewin.ch; mission.sudan@ties.itu.int.
Please also write to diplomatic representations of the Republic of Sudan in your respective countries.
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Geneva - Paris, March 14, 2006
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need. The Observatory was the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line: E-mail: observatoire@iprolink.ch
Tel and fax FIDH + 33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / +33 1 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT + 41 (0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 22 809 49 29