Darfur: Arrest and Torture of IDPs
SOAT
1. On 17 March 2005, military intelligence in Sanya Afondu village, east of Nyala arrested two Internal Displaced Persons belonging to the Birgid tribe from Sanya Afondu IDP camp. The two IDPs were taken to a military camp, 1km West of Sanya Afondu village and detained in a hole in the ground for five days. Their details are as follows:
Alnour Adam Alsafi Abdella, (25 yrs), (M); Ishag Mohamed Adam, (29 yrs), (M)
During the detention, the IDPs were reportedly tortured by army officers to extract their confession that the they were supporters of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). The IDPs were flogged on their backs, kicked, beaten with guns, and with hands and sticks on all over their bodies.
On 23 March 2005, the two IDPs were transferred to military intelligence detention centre in Nyala, Southern Darfur State. During the transfer, the men were beaten on route from Sanya Afondu to Nyala.
On 3 April 2005, the IDPs were transferred again to police headquarters in Nyala. While in detention at the police headquarters, the IDPs were denied food. On 7 April 2005, the IDPs were transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) police station where they were officially charged under articles 51 (Waging War against the State) and article 58 (Abetment of Mutiny) of the 1991 Penal Code, offences which carry the death penalty if convicted.
Following the official charges, the IDPs were transferred to Nyala prison the following day, 8 April where they are awaiting charges.
2. On 14 March 2005, military intelligence in Sanya Afondu village arrested Bakheet Alhaj Musa Sabeel, (26 yrs), IDP belonging to the Birgid tribe from Sanya Afondu IDP camp. Mr. Bakheet was taken to a military camp, 1km West of Sanya Afondu village and detained in a hole in the ground for thirteen days.
During the detention, Mr. Bakheet was reportedly tortured by a group of soldiers under the command of an officer named as Mohamed. Mr. Bakheet was beaten with guns all over his body, flogged oh his back and beaten with sticks on his head.
On 27 March 200, Mr. Bakheet was transferred to military intelligence detention centre in Nyala and detained there for six days. On 02 April 2005, Mr. Bakheet was moved to Nyala Wasat (central) police station where he was officially charged under articles 51 and article 58 of the 1991 Penal Code. On 07 April 2005, Mr. Bakheet was transferred to Nyala prison where he remains in detention and is awaiting trial.
3. On 1 March 2005, military intelligence arrested Ishag Abaker Adam, (20 yrs), IDP belonging to the Tama tribe from Kalma IDP camp, 17 kilometres east of Nyala. Mr. Ishag was taken to military intelligence detention centre in Nyala and detained there for six days.
While in military intelligence custody, Mr. Ishag was reportedly tortured by two military intelligence officers named as Officers Abu Shaiba and Jamal. They tied him to a roof with rope and flogged him. The officers beat him with their hands, crushed Mr. Ishag testicles and hit him with a metal on his head.
On 7 March 2005, Mr. Ishag was transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) police station, detained for four days, and officially charged under articles 51 and article 58 of the 1991 Penal Cod. On 11 March 2005, Mr. Ishag was transferred to Nyala Prison where he is awaiting trial.
SOAT strongly condemns the arbitrary arrests and systematic use of torture with impunity of civilians including IDPs in Darfur. SOAT expresses fears for the safety of the detainees and calls on the GoS to give assurances that they will not be subjected to further torture or ill-treatment. SOAT calls upon the GoS to give assurances that the detainees will be allowed access to medical treatment and that these cases will be investigated and the perpetrators arrested and brought before the courts.
SOAT urges the Government of Sudan to:
– Immediately investigate allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators to justice;
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees;
– Allow them immediate and unrestricted access to their families and any medical treatment that they may require;
– Order the 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;
– 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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