Disappearance of 3 Men in Nyala
SOAT
On 20 April 2005, armed men in military uniform stopped a passenger bus travelling from Belail Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp to Nyala and boarded the bus. The armed men selected three male passengers belonging to the Zaghawa tribe and ordered them off the bus. According to eyewitness accounts, the armed men beat the three passengers with the butt of their guns before taking them away in a Land Rover. The details of the passengers are as follows:
1. Ahmed Manees Maalla, (60 yrs), from Marla and lives in Nyala
2. Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor, (34 yrs), from Marla
3. Ibrahim Khidir Abdella, (30 yrs), from Marla
The Omda (Mayor) of the Zaghawa group has visited the police stations and security offices in Nyala but the whereabouts of the three men are unknown.
SOAT expresses fears for the safety of the three men and is calling on the GoS to immediately investigate the incident, make known their whereabouts and give assurances that they will not be tortured or ill-treated.
SOAT strongly condemns the continued attacks and terrorisation of civilians in Darfur and urges the Government of Sudan to:
– Immediately disarm any outlaws operating in the Darfur Region and adhere to it commitments under the ceasefire agreement and all subsequent agreements;
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella;
– Allow Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella immediate and unrestricted access to their family and any medical treatment that they may need;
– Ensure that Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella have access to legal advice;
– Order the immediate release of Ahmed Manees Maalla, Adam Abdella Mohamed Tor and Ibrahim Khidir Abdella 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;
– Immediately cease all attacks on civilians and adhere to commitments under the ceasefire agreement;
– 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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