Darfur: Arbitrary Arrests of Zaghawa tribe members

On 7 November 2005, the security forces in Nyala arrested four men belonging to the Zaghawa tribe on suspicion of joining one of the rebel movements in Darfur. The four men, who are all merchants, were arrested separately and are now detained without any official charges at the security forces detention centre in Nyala. They are detained incommunicado and have not had access to their families, legal or medical advice.

The details of the four men who were arrested are as follows:

– Ahmed Ibrahim Rahma, (33 yrs), Zaghawa tribe, merchant, arrested from his shop in Nyala southern market.
– Salih Khidir Abdella, (33yrs), Zaghawa, merchant, arrested from his shop in South Nyala.
– Mohamed Ahmed Wadi, (52 yrs), Zaghawa, merchant, arrested from his shop, in Southern Market in Nyala.
– Adam Abdelrahman Abdella, (35 yrs), Zaghawa, merchant in Nyala. Mr Adam received a phone call from the security forces instructing him to report to their office and was arrested upon arrival.

In a separate incident, on 3 November 2005, Military Intelligence in Nyala arrested seven men belonging to the Zaghawa tribe from Sheriya Town, South Darfur. The men were all transferred to the security forces detention centre in Nyala where they remain in detention without official charges. The men are detained incommunicado, but were allowed one visit from their families during Eid.

� 1. Mahmoud Mohamed Hasabo, Teacher

� 2. Abaker Rajeb Abdel Kaream, Teacher

� 3. Yahya Ibrahim Ahmed, Merchant

� 4 Ahmed Abaker, Merchant

� 5. Alsafi Ishag Basher, Farmer

� 6. Moubarek Joumma Musa, Merchant

� 7. Mohamed Yagoub Musa, Merchant

Lawyers working with SOAT’s partner organisation, the Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture have submitted applications to the Attorney General’s office requesting release of the men or for them to be issued with official charges.

SOAT condemns the continued use of arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detentions in Darfur against people suspected to belong to the rebel groups in the region and calls on the Government of Sudan to:

i. Immediately release 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;

ii. Allow the detainees immediate access to medical treatment; legal advice and to their families;

iii. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of the detainees;

iv. Immediately cease the campaign of intimidation and harassment of persons in the Darfur region and respect international humanitarian law

v. Guarantee respect for 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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