AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

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FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 26 June 2001, Faisal el Bagir Mohamed, a member of the Amal Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Violence and the Sudan Victims of Torture Group (SVTG), was released from custody in Khartoum. He reports that he was not ill treated.

Faisal el Bagir was arrested shortly after meeting with government officials. The purpose of his meeting was to obtain official permission for the Amal Center and SVTG to organize events commemorating the fourth annual United Nation's International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June 2001.

Security forces have not returned property that was seized by the government during a raid on Faisal el Bagir's house. They confiscated his computer, fax machine, and several documents. Security officials have also not returned confidential patient records seized in a raid of the Amal center in March. The Amal Center remains closed and its director, Dr. Nagib Nagmeldin, is still required to periodically report to the authorities for questioning.

(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:

• Welcoming the release of Mr. Faisal el Bagir Mohamed;
• Calling on the authorities to ensure that Faisel el Bagir Mohamed's possessions that were seized at the time of his arrest are returned to him;
• Urging the return of all the Amal Center's patient files and office equipment to Dr. Nagmeldin and the immediate reopening of the Amal Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Violence; and
• Expressing concern about the continued harassment of human rights defenders in Sudan.

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

Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 873
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: 011 24911 779383
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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