Arrests and Detention in Nyala and Zalingy
SOAT
1. On 11 July 2005, security forces in Nyala arrested Azhari Ahmed Zakarea, (48 yrs), belonging to the Fur tribe on suspicion of supporting the rebel opposition group, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Mr. Azhari was arrested from his home in Nyala Shamal and taken to security offices in Nyala where he remains in detention. Mr. Azhari has been denied access to lawyers or to his family.
2. On 15 June 2005, security forces in Nyala arrested Mohamed Mohamed Arabi, (37 yrs), a teacher belonging to the Zaghawa tribe on suspicion of joining the SLA. Mr. Mohamed was arrested from his home in Hey Alkhartoum Billail and taken to the security offices in Nyala. Mr. Mohamed’s was initially allowed visits from his family, however from 20 June 2005; his family have been denied access. Mr. Mohamed remains in detention without any official charges.
There are serious concerns for the health of Mr. Mohamed. Before the arrest, Mr. Mohamed had undergone an operation in Khartoum and was due for a follow up appointment with his doctors in Khartoum on 20 June 2005. Mr. Mohammed uses artificial legs and it is believed that Mr. Mohammed is currently in great distress.
3. On 12 May, security forces in Nyala arrested six young men from a house in Nyala, Hey Alkhartoum Billail. The men who are recent university graduates were arrested on suspicion of joining a Student group that are allegedly supporting the armed movement in Darfur. The men were initially taken to security offices in Nyala where they were detained until 13 June 2005. The family of the detainees were denied access. On 14 June, the detainees were transferred to an unknown location in Khartoum. The whereabouts of the men are unknown. The details of the detainees are as follows:
1. Hasabella Hasab Alnabi Issaa, (28 yrs)
2. Mustafa Abdella Abaker, (27 yrs)
3. Ibrahim Mohamed Abdella, (28 yrs)
4. Mohamed Aljazouli Adam, (30 yrs)
5. Yaseen Yousif, (27 yrs)
6. Idrees
4. On 2 May 2005, officers from the military intelligence in Jabal Marra, Western Darfur State arrested five men on suspicion of joining the SLA. The men were arrested from their home in Golo village, Jabal Marra and taken to the military intelligence detention centre in Zalingy.
Whilst in military custody, the men were subjected to torture and all five men received serious injuries. The men were flogged on their backs, beaten with the butt of guns on their heads and with sticks on their legs and knees. Due to the seriousness of injuries sustained, the men were taken to Zalingy hospital in June 2005 where they received medical treatment.
Following the treatment, the men were transferred in Zalingy prison where they remain in detention, and are not facing any official charges. It is believed the men are still suffering from the effects of torture. The details of the men are as follows:
1. Ali Mohamed Abdella, (65 yrs), Fur
2. Adam Ateam Altahir, (32 yrs), Fur, Merchant
3. Abaker Ibrahim Musa, (60 yrs), Fur
4. Moustafa Haroun Abdel Rahman, (26 yrs), Fur, Teacher
5. Awad Mohamed Is’hag, (27 yrs), Fur, Teacher
SOAT strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of these men and expresses fears for the detainees and calls upon the government of Sudan (GoS) to give assurances that they will not be tortured or ill-treated.
SOAT strongly urges the ‘Government of Unity’ to:
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees
– Investigate the arrests and torture of detainees and ensure that the perpetrators are brought before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times
Immediately release all the detainees in the absence of valid legal charges, or if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times
– Ensure that all the detainees have access to legal advice and to their families
– Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
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