JEM calls for international probe on conditions of its members detained in Khartoum

October 28, 2009 (PARIS) — The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) today condemned the bad treatment of its members detained in by the Sudanese government urging an international investigation on the conditions of all Darfur prisoners and detainees.

The rebel call comes after the death of Adam Suleiman, a JEM member who died of malnutrition and tuberculosis last Wednesday October 21 at Saheron Hospital in Khartoum. The Sudanese security handed him over to his family two days before to his death.

“We hold the Sudanese President and the head of security service accountable of the death of Suleiman who died as result of malnutrition and tuberculosis,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam today.

Reacting to the death, the rebel group urged an international investigation on the conditions of Darfur prisoners of war and political detainees in the Sudanese jails after the death of Suleiman. JEM said the security service mistreats prisoners of war and deprive them of food and medications.

Further, the rebels asked the Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to work for the immediate implementation of the goodwill agreement signed last February with the Sudanese government in Doha.

The confidence building deal provides to release the prisoners of war by the two parties and to improve the humanitarian conditions of the displaced population in Darfur camps.

JEM release some 84 Sudanese prisoners but Khartoum refuses to release those who participated in the assault saying it can consider it after the signing of a ceasefire agreement.

Since Khartoum rejection the rebel movement boycotts the peace process asking the release of its fighters and the return of expelled international aid groups.

The rebel spokesperson also blamed the joint mediator who had pledged to visit JEM members detained in the Sudanese prisons for not meeting his promise. He also said the UN human rights office in Khartoum and the UNAMID human rights section have to inspect the situation of Darfur detainees in the prisons.

“The torture and mistreatment of prisoners of war and political detainees constitute a clear violation of human rights law and the international humanitarian law,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam.

Suleiman Adam did not take part in the attack on Khartoum in May 2008, but he was present in the capital with his relatives when the attack occurred. He had been arrested on May 12 two day after the attack.

He had been condemned to death by a Sudanese court in August 2008.

Following the rebel attack on the capital the Sudanese government formed some special courts to try JEM fighters under charges of waging war against the state and the illicit use of weapons. Over one hundred rebels have been sentenced to death since.

(ST)