Darfur: Arbitrary Arrests, Risk of Hanging
SOAT
1. On 19 March 2005, armed forces in Bajo village near Marla, Nyala Province, arrested Haroun Zakarea Osman, (36 yrs), a farmer belonging to the Zaghawa tribe. Mr. Haroun was taken to a military camp, 1km West of Sanya Afondu village and detained in a hole in the ground for ten days.
During his detention, Mr. Haroun was reportedly tortured by a group of soldiers. The soldiers beat him severely with sticks on his head and flogged him all over his body. On 29 March 2005, Mr. Haroun was transferred to a military intelligence detention centre in Nyala and detained there until 3 April 2005.
On 4 April 2005, Mr. Haroun was moved to Nyala Wasat (central) police station where he was officially charged under Articles 51 (Waging War against the State) and 58 (Abetment of Mutiny) of the 1991 Penal Code, offences which carry the death penalty if convicted. On 7 April 2005, Mr. Haroun was transferred to Nyala prison where he is awaiting trial.
2. On 15 March 2005, police officers in Abu Ajoura village, southern Nyala arrested Ishag Mohamed Adam, (29 yrs) belonging to the Fur tribe. Mr. Ishag was taken to Abu Ajoura police station where he was detained for three days. During the arrest, the police officers beat Mr. Ishag with their hands and kicked him with boots.
On 18 March 2005, Mr. Ishag was transferred from Abu Ajoura to Nyala Wasat (central) police station where he was officially charged under Articles 51 and 58 of the 1991 penal code. On 22 March 2005, Mr. Ishag was moved to Nyala prison where he remains in detention awaiting trial.
3. On 12 March 2005, soldiers from the armed forces arrested Abdel Shafi Salih Wadi, (18 yrs), a student at Shengil Toubaya School, belonging to the Zaghawa tribe from Shengil Toubaya village, 115 km north of Nyala, Southern Darfur state.
During the arrest, the soldiers beat Mr. Abdel with their hands and kicked him with their boots. Mr Abdel was taken to the military intelligence detention centre in Nyala where he was subjected to torture. Intelligence officers flogged Mr. Abdel on his back using electric wires and sot (leather whip) and beat him with sticks on his head and all over his body. Despite the severity of his injuries, Mr. Abel did not receive medical treatment.
On 21 March 2005, Mr. Abdel was transferred to Nyala Wasat (central) police station and officially charged under Article 51 of the 1991 Penal Code. On 30 March 2005, Mr. Abdel was transferred to Nyala prison where he remains in detention. Mr Abdel appeared before the Specialised Criminal Courts for his first session on 17 April 2005. SOAT’s network of lawyers in Nyala are providing legal assistance to Mr. Abdel.
4. On 5 March 2005, security forces in Nyala arrested Ahmed Ali Musa, (32 yrs), a merchant form Giraida town in Bouram province on suspicion of joining the rebel opposition group, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). Mr. Ahmed was arrested from Nyala central market and taken to security offices in Nyala.
Since his detention, Mr. Ahmed’s family have been allowed one visit. Mr. Ahmed’s brother alleges that Mr. Ahmed has been subjected to torture. During the arrest, Mr. Ahmed was reportedly beaten on his face and head with hands and kicked with boots.
Mr. Ahmed remains in detention and is facing no official charges.
SOAT is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty and strongly condemns its use by the Government of Sudan. SOAT is gravely concerned by the arbitrary arrest, torture and charges which carry the death sentence for civilians in Darfur perceived as sympathising with armed opposition groups in Darfur, and by the procedures of the Specialised Criminal Courts, which operate in Darfur and which do not comply with international or national standards for fair trial.
SOAT strongly urges the Government of Sudan to:
– Immediately investigate allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators to justice;
– Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all the detainees;
– Allow all the detainees immediate and unrestricted access to their families and any medical treatment that they may require;
– Ensure that all detainees have access to legal advice;
– Abolish the death penalty in Sudan;
– Ensure respect for rights to fair trial and to legal appeal in accordance with international human rights standards, for all detainees throughout Sudan and guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;
SOAT is an international human rights organisation established in the UK in 1993. If you have any questions about this or any other SOAT information, please contact us:
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