Arbitrary arrest and detention of Human Rights defender in Eastern Sudan

On 01 October 2005, police officers at Mayo police Station, Khartoum arrested Mohamed Ahmed Alarbab, (40 yrs), a lawyer and a human rights defender. Mr. Alarbab, who lives in Kalakla was arrested was at the entrance of Mayo Police Station.� Mr. Alarbab was working on cases of persons arrested following riots in the Soba Aradi area of Khartoum in May 2005.

On 10 March 2006, officers from Military Intelligence in Toker, Eastern Sudan arrested Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail, also known as Hussain Zikir, (32 yrs), lives in Daim Alnour, Port Sudan, student and a human rights defender and a member of SOAT network of Students.

Mr. Ismail went to Toker on 6 March 2006 to investigate human rights violations committed in 1997.

No reason was given for the arrests of Mr. Ismail and his family have been denied visits. Mr. Ismail whereabouts is unknown. SOAT believes that Mr. Ismail was arrested solely for his investigation into human rights abuses in Toker.

SOAT is gravely concerned about the health and safety of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail and fears that he may be subjected to torture and ill treatment. SOAT calls upon the government of Sudan (GoS) to immediately investigate the arrest make known the whereabouts of the Mr. Ismail; ensure that a Mr. Ismail is allowed access to medical treatment, to legal counsel and to give assurances that �he will not be subjected to torture or ill treatment.

SOAT calls on the Government of Sudan to put an end to the harassment and detention of human rights activists in Sudan and urges the Government of Sudan to:

i. Immediately make known the whereabouts of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail and allow him immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may require;

ii. Order the immediate release of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail in the absence of valid legal charges or if legitimate charges exist, bring him before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times;

iii. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail;

iv. Ensure that Mr. Hussain Osman Mohamed Ismail has access to legal advice;

v. Immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and to respect international humanitarian law and to end impunity for crimes committed by the government security forces;

vi. Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws, the National Interim Constitution and international human rights laws and standards

SOAT is an international human rights organisation established in the UK in 1993. If you have any questions about this or any other SOAT information, please contact us:

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