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FACTS OF THE CASE:

Members of the Amal Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Violence in Khartoum face continued harassment and intimidation by the Sudanese government. In early June, a member of the Amal Center, Faisal el Bagir Mohamed, met with the Ministry of Justice. The purpose of his meeting was to ask the Ministry for official permission for the Amal Center and another organization, the Sudan Victims of Torture Group, to celebrate the fourth annual United Nation's International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June 2001. Established in November 2000, the Amal Center provides free medical treatment and counseling for victims of human rights abuses. It is the first of its kind to be established in Sudan.

On 13 June 2001, Sudanese security forces entered Faisal el Bagir's home in Khartoum. After searching his house and confiscating his computer, fax machine, and several documents, the security forces arrested him. He was taken into police custody and interrogated for several hours. He was released later that evening with instructions to report to security headquarters the following day. On 14 June 2001, when Faisal el Bagir reported to headquarters, he was rearrested and has since been held incommunicado.

Faisal el Bagir Mohamed's detention occurred only three months after Dr. Nagib Nagmeldin, Director of the Amal Center was arrested. Security forces arrested Dr. Nagmeldin and two of his colleagues of the Amal Center in March 2001. All three were eventually released. However, none of them were officially charged.

During a raid following Dr. Nagmeldin's arrest, the security forces seized confidential patient records from the Amal Center. They also closed the Amal Center. While the security forces have stated that they intend to return the seized material, none of the materials have been returned and the Amal Center remains closed.

The UN General Assembly officially proclaimed 26 June as the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 12 December 1997. The day was chosen to commemorate 26 June 1987, which is the day that the UN Convention against Torture first entered into force. Rehabilitation centers, human rights organizations, health professional organizations, and governmental agencies in over 80 countries worldwide have planned special events for 26 June 2001, including media and cultural events, festivals, seminars, and peaceful protests.

(Sources of information for this case include Amnesty International and International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims.)

RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

• Article 7: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 9(1): Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.
• Article 9(2): Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his [or her] arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him [or her].
• Article 19(1): Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Article 12: (1): The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. (2): The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for: (c) The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases; (d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.

The Human Rights Defenders Declaration

• Article 7: Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to develop and discuss new human rights ideas and principles and to advocate their acceptance.
• Article 12(2): The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the [Universal Declaration of Human Rights].

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
• Article 05: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 09: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telegrams, faxes, airmail letters or emails:

• Requesting the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Faisal el Bagir Mohamed;
• Urging authorities to guarantee that Mr. Faisal el Bagir Mohamed is not tortured or ill-treated in custody, that he is granted immediate access to a lawyer and his family, and given any medical attention that he may require;
• Expressing concern about the continued harassment of human rights defenders in Sudan; and
• Urging the return of all patient files and office equipment to Dr. Nagmeldin and the reopening of the Amal Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Violence

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
Peoples' Palace
PO Box 281
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: 011 24911 787676 or 011 24911 783223
Salutation: Your Excellency

Mr Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Khartoum, Sudan
Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES SENT TO:

Ambassador Mahdi Ibrahim Mohamed
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 202 667 2406

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6796; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals re to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

To verify the contents of this alert and/or the electronic signature, please download the signed file for this alert along with the Program's PGP Public Key.

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