SOAT: Detention of Zaghawa tribe Members in Marawi City

SOAT

On 7 January 2005, security personnel from Marawi city, Northern Province of Sudan arrested and detained six men from the Zaghawa tribe. The men are employees of a Chinese company constructing the Hamadab Dam and resided in a nearby village. The details of the men are as follows:

– Abakar Alyas, 22 yrs, whereabouts unknown
– Mohamed Mokhtar Gibril Abakar, 28yrs, whereabouts unknown
– Mohamed Bush, whereabouts unknown
– Mohamed Nour, released
– Musa Yousif, released
– Name unknown, unreleased

The men were arrested following a telephone call made by Mr. Abakar Alyas from his mobile phone to a satellite phone in Altina, north Darfur. The security forces arrested and detained Mr. Abakar Alyas. He was interrogated and his mobile phone was searched for the number he called in Altina. During questioning, Mr. Abakar Alyas told the security personnel that he had phoned his relatives in Altina and that his roommate, Mr. Mohamed Mokhtar Gibril Abakar had deleted the number from the phone.

Both men were arrested along with four of their colleagues, also from the Zaghawa tribe. The men are suspected of calling rebel groups in Darfur. On the same day as the arrest, 7 January 2005, the men were transferred Marawi city, Northern Province of Sudan.

On 8 January 2005, three of the detainees were released while Abakar Alyas, Mohamed Mokhtar Gibril Abakar, and Mohamed Bush remain in detention and their whereabouts are unknown.

SOAT strongly condemns the gross violations of human rights of civilians associated with Darfur. The arbitrary arrests, detentions and torture of civilians accused of supporting the rebellion in Darfur with impunity remains systematic. SOAT expresses fears for the safety of the men and is calling on the Government of Sudan to give assurances that the men will not be tortured or ill treated and to reveal the detainees whereabouts.

SOAT condemns the arrest and detention of Mohamed Mokhtar Gibril Abakar, Abakar Alyas and Mohamed Bush and urges the Government of Sudan to:

i. Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mohamed Mokhtar Gibril Abakar, Abakar Alyas and Mohamed Bush

ii. To allow them immediate and unrestricted access to their family and any medical treatment that he may require

iii. 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

iv. 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.