Namibia
14.07.00
Urgent Interventions
Namibia: detainee starved to death
Namibia: detainee starved to death
Case NAM 140700
Geneva, 14th July 2000
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention regarding the following situation in Namibia.
Brief description of the situation:
The International Secretariat of OMCT has just been informed by a reliable source of the death by starvation of a detainee, Elias Florindo Chimuco.
According to the information, on 14 June 2000, Elias Florindo Chimuco, an Umbundu-speaking Namibian resident, was arrested in the Kavango Region by Special Field Forces (a paramilitary unit) on suspicion of being a "UNITA bandit". Elias Florindo Chimuco was held in custody for 20 days until 3 July 2000, when he was taken to the Rundu State Hospital. There at the Rundu State Hospital Elias Florindo Chimuco died. The autopsy revealed that he had died of hunger.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned by the death of Elias Florindo Chimuco and by the situation of numerous persons living in the Kavango Region who are reportedly being arrested on suspicion of being UNITA bandits.
Actions requested:
Please write to the following Namibian authorities urging that they:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all persons living in the Kavango region and carry out a full and impartial investigation into the death of Elias Florindo Chimuco, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
ii. put an immediate end to the use of arbitrary detention and starvation or other forms of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of those persons suspected of being UNITA bandits;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international standards.
Addresses:
His Excellency President Sam Nujoma, Office of the President, Statu House, Private Bag 13339 Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. Fax: +264 61 221 780/221 770
Hon Prime Minister Hage Geingob, Office of the Prime Minister, Private Bag 13338, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. Fax: 264 61 230 648/226 189
Hon Dr. Ernest Tjiriange, Minister of Justice, Justitia Building, Private Bag 13248, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. Fax: +264 61 221 615
Geneva, 14th July 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
Case NAM 140700
Geneva, 14th July 2000
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention regarding the following situation in Namibia.
Brief description of the situation:
The International Secretariat of OMCT has just been informed by a reliable source of the death by starvation of a detainee, Elias Florindo Chimuco.
According to the information, on 14 June 2000, Elias Florindo Chimuco, an Umbundu-speaking Namibian resident, was arrested in the Kavango Region by Special Field Forces (a paramilitary unit) on suspicion of being a "UNITA bandit". Elias Florindo Chimuco was held in custody for 20 days until 3 July 2000, when he was taken to the Rundu State Hospital. There at the Rundu State Hospital Elias Florindo Chimuco died. The autopsy revealed that he had died of hunger.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned by the death of Elias Florindo Chimuco and by the situation of numerous persons living in the Kavango Region who are reportedly being arrested on suspicion of being UNITA bandits.
Actions requested:
Please write to the following Namibian authorities urging that they:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all persons living in the Kavango region and carry out a full and impartial investigation into the death of Elias Florindo Chimuco, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
ii. put an immediate end to the use of arbitrary detention and starvation or other forms of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of those persons suspected of being UNITA bandits;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international standards.
Addresses:
His Excellency President Sam Nujoma, Office of the President, Statu House, Private Bag 13339 Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. Fax: +264 61 221 780/221 770
Hon Prime Minister Hage Geingob, Office of the Prime Minister, Private Bag 13338, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. Fax: 264 61 230 648/226 189
Hon Dr. Ernest Tjiriange, Minister of Justice, Justitia Building, Private Bag 13248, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. Fax: +264 61 221 615
Geneva, 14th July 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.