Sudan
10.05.04
Urgent Interventions
Sudan: arrest of Mr. Osman Adam Abdel Mawla
URGENT APPAL –THE OBSERVATORY
SUD 003 / 0504 / OBS 035
Arrest/Arbitrary detention/Risks of torture
SUDAN
May 10, 2004
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Sudan.
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.
Paris – Geneva, May 10, 2004
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 / 01 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT + 4122 809 49 39 / 41 22 809 49 29
SUD 003 / 0504 / OBS 035
Arrest/Arbitrary detention/Risks of torture
SUDAN
May 10, 2004
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Sudan.
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.
Paris – Geneva, May 10, 2004
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 / 01 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT + 4122 809 49 39 / 41 22 809 49 29