AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

AAAS is concerned about the arrests of an agriculturalist, a doctor, and two engineers on or around 23 June in Wad Medani as part of a government crack-down on supporters of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Galal Hamid, former director of the Gezira (agriculture) Scheme, physician al-Kheir Ali Arbab, and engineers Abdeen Miheisi and Adam Abdel Kabir have not yet been charged or brought before a court. They reportedly underwent intensive interrogation in detention centers in Barakat and Wad Medani, and have been denied access to family. They may be prisoners of conscience. There is further concern for the health of Abdeen Miheisi, who is diabetic. In addition, engineer Moneim Attia and physician Nagib Nejm al-Din were arrested in Khartoum on 8 and 13 July respectively, and neither has been charged or brought before a court.

Abdeen Miheisi, Adam Abdel Kabir, and al-Kheir Ali Arbab have reportedly been transferred from Wad Medani to an undisclosed detention center in Khartoum, and Moneim Attia is also detained in an undisclosed detention center in Khartoum. Nagib Nejm al-Din has been transferred to Kober Prison. Although there was no reported ill-treatment of these men prior to 13 July, it is feared that their transfers may present a risk of ill-treatment.

The detainees were all arrested following a public statement issued in mid-June by supporters of the NDA, a group of banned political parties and trade unions. Abdeen Miheisi and al-Kheir Ali Arbab reportedly signed the statement on behalf of the Engineers' Union and the Doctors' Union respectively.

The arbitrary arrests of Galal Hamid, al-Kheir Ali Arbab, Nagib Nejm al-Din, Abdeen Miheisi, Adam Abdel Kabir, and Moneim Attia constitute serious violations of international human rights standards, including basic protections provided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted without objection by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948:

• the rights to life, liberty, and security of person, and to be free of arbitrary arrest or detention (Articles 3 and 9);
• the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal (Article 10);
• the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers (Article 19);
• the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Article 20).

The U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, adopted by the First United Nations Congress on 30 August 1995:

• any prisoner shall be given all reasonable facilities for communicating with his family and friends, and for receiving visits from them and from his legal advisor (Articles 92 and 93).

The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, adopted by the Organization of African Unity on 17 June 1981 and signed by Sudan on 3 September 1982:

• freedom from all forms of exploitation including torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment and treatment (Article 5);
• the right to liberty and security of person, and freedom from arbitrary arrest or detainment (Article 6);
• the right to express and disseminate opinions (Article 9);
• and the right to free association (Article 10).

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telexes, telegrams, faxes, or airmail letters:

• expressing concern about the arrests of Galal Hamid, al- Kheir Ali Arbab, Abdeen Miheisi, Adam Abdel Kabir, Moneim Attia, and Nagib Nejm al-Din;
• urging that they be released unless charged with a recognizable crime;
• urging that they receive humane treatment in custody and are allowed access to family, legal representation, and medical attention should it become necessary.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
People's Palace
P.O. Box 281
Khartoum, Sudan
Salutation: Your Excellency

Mr. 'Abd al-Basit Sabdarat
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Khartoum, Sudan
Telexes: c/o 970 22411 KAID SA or 22604 IPOL SD
Salutation: Dear Minister

Mr. Ali Osman Mohamed Taha
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 873
Khartoum, Sudan
Salutation: Dear Minister

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