Arbitrary Arrest and Incommunicado Detention of Civilians
SOAT
On 22 February 2005, security forces arrested Adam Khamees Altom (40 yrs), belonging to the Zaghawa tribe, from Kalma Internally Displaced (IDP) camp, southern Darfur state. Mr. Adam was taken to security offices in Nyala where he remains in detention without any official charges. Mr. Adam’s arrest follows attempts by the security forces to move IDPs from Kalma IDP camp to a new camp 20km from Nyala.
In a separate incident, on 19 February 2005, security forces in Nyala arrested Abde Mahmoud Adam Mohamadain (39 yrs), a merchant, from his home in Nyala Hey Almazad neighbourhood (Nyala) on suspicion of joining the Popular National Congress (PNC) party and for allegedly communicating with the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Mr. Abdella was taken to security offices in Nyala where he remains in detention without any official charges. Mr. Abde’s family have been denied access.
SOAT expresses concern for the two men, who are detained incommunicado, and are therefore at a heightened risk of torture and ill-treatment.
Background
SOAT has reported dozens of cases of arrests, detention and alleged torture perpetrated security officers in Nyala, southern Darfur state against civilians perceived to support the rebel opposition forces in Darfur. SOAT expresses fears for all the detainees and calls upon the government of Sudan (GoS) to give assurances that detainees will not be tortured or ill-treated.
SOAT strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Adam Khamees Altom and Mahmoud Adam Mohamadain, and calls on the government of Sudan to:
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees.
– Immediately release all the detainees in the absence of valid legal charges, or charge the men with a recognisable criminal offence, speedily bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times.
– Ensure that all the detainees have access to legal advice
– 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.
Website: www.soatsudan.org