Brief description:
The Observatory was informed by the Sudanese Organisation Against
Torture (SOAT) of the arrest, on May 5, 2004, in Zalingy, of Mr.
Osman Adam Abdel Mawla, 39, a human rights activist and a member of
the Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO), Nyala branch.
According to the information received, Mr. Osman Adam Abdel Mawla is
currently being detained in the security forces offices in Zalingy
with no official charges against him. There are serious concerns that
he may be subjected of torture as there have been several reports of
torture by the security forces in Zalingy.
The Observatory fears that these events are linked with Mr. Abdel
Mawla’s human rights activities within SUDO, a voluntary organisation
created to promote sustainable development and human rights. SUDO,
has been particularly active in Darfur carrying out various workshops
on human rights and has provided assistance to internally displaced
people (IDP’s) in Darfur.
In this regard, the Observatory recalls that Mr. Madawi Ibrahim Adam,
47, Chairperson of SUDO, remains in detention since his arrest on 28
December 2003 by the National Security Agency (NSA). He was arrested
at his house, in Omdurman, which was searched and allegedly damaged.
He was transferred to Kober prison on 3 January 2004. (see Urgent
Appeal SDN 001/0104/OBS 001, January 6th, 2004). The Observatory also
recalls that Hussein Ibrahim Gindeel, the executive director of SUDO,
had been held incommunicado from 24 to 27 March 2003, in relation
with a workshop he was due to lead on 26 and 27 March in Damazin,
dedicated to the role of civil society in the peace process (See
annual report 2003).
The Observatory is very concerned by Mr. Abdel Mawla’s arrest and
detention and fears for his physical and psychological integrity.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Sudanese authorities and ask them to:
i. Ensure in all circumstances the physical and psychological
integrity of Mr. Osman Adam Abdel Mawla;
ii. Order the immediate release Osman Adam Abdel Mawla and Madawi
Ibrahim Adam in the absence of valid legal charges against them, or
if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal
in the soonest delay and guarantee their right to a fair and
impartial trial;
iii. Put an end to any kind of harassment against SUDO’s members and
all human rights defenders in Sudan;
iv. conform to 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 realization 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 o 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.";
v. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights
standards.
Addresses:
– His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President
of the Republic of Sudan, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum,
Sudan, fax : + 249 11
783223
– Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General,
Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan. Fax : + 249 11 788941
– Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, fax : + 249 11 779383
– Mr. Yasir Sid Ahmed, Advisory Councl for Human Rights, PO Box 302
Khartoum, Sudan. Fax: + 249 11 770883
– His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim, Permanent
Mission of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva, Case Postal 335,
1211 Geneva 19, fax :
0041 (0) 22 731 26 56, email: mission.sudan@ties.itu.int.
Given the lack of working fax numbers for the government officials
above, please send the appeals by standard mail and also write to the
embassies of Sudan in your
respective country.