Arrest and detention of student activists in Dafur
SOAT
On 28 August 2005, security forces in Nyala, Southern Darfur state, arrested fifteen student activists from Nyala University. During the arrests, the students were beaten and flogged. The students were arrested inside the university premises following disturbances inside the university, six of the students were released immediately and the remaining nine were taken to the security offices in Nyala where they were detained for two days.
On the second day, 30 August 2005, the students were transferred to Nyala Wasat (Central) Police station where they were officially charged under Article 69 (Disturbance of Public Peace) of the 1991 Penal Code. Following the official charges, the students were released on bail, and are awaiting trial.
While in detention at the security offices in Nyala, the students were allegedly subjected to ill-treatment. The security officers refused them access to the toilet and did not provide them with food.
The details of the students are as follows:
1. Moutasim Mohamed Adam; Education Faculty
2. Faculty of Moubarek Abdella Mohamed; Education Faculty
3. Mahmoud Hassan Daif Alla; Education Faculty
4. Mohamed Soulieman Mohamed; Engineering Faculty
5. Abdel Nasir Abdella Adam; Engineering Faculty
6. Waleed Nour Adam; Engineering Faculty
7. Majdi Idrees Adam; Engineering Faculty
8. Ali Yagoub Adam; Education Faculty
9. Fakhr Aldean Ahmed Hassan; Education Faculty
Background
The disturbances in the university followed the decision by Nyala university administration to close the university. The decision was made by the university following an academic dispute between the administration and the students over their exams results.
In a separate incident, on 1 September 2005, security forces arrested Ahmed Issa Alsouwar, (26 yrs), student at Nyala University, Faculty of Engineering. Mr Alsouwar was arrested at his home in Nyala – Khartoum Belail neighbourhood and taken to the security offices in Nyala where he remains in detention. No reason was given for the arrest. Mr. Alsouwar’s family have been denied access to him and are concerned that he may have been subjected to torture.
SOAT condemns the arbitrary arrests of the students and expresses fears for the safety of Ahmed Issa Alsouwar and calls on the GoS to ensure that he will not be subjected to torture or ill-treatment.
SOAT strongly urges the Government of Sudan to:
i. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Ahmed Issa Alsouwar;
ii. Allow Ahmed Issa Alsouwar immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that he may require;
iii. Ensure that Ahmed Issa Alsouwar has access to legal advice;
iv. Order the immediate release of Ahmed Issa Alsouwar 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;
v. Ensure respect for rights to fair trial and to legal appeal in accordance with international human rights standards, for all detainees throughout Sudan;
vi. Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards
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