allAfrica.com: Sudan: Alleged Torture Against Nine Individuals, Including a Minor, in Northern Kordofan (Page 1 of 2)

Sudan: Alleged Torture Against Nine Individuals, Including a Minor, in Northern Kordofan

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Sudan.

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture network, that nine Darfuri, including a minor, were arrested and allegedly tortured in Nothern Kordofan state following clashes sparked by student union elections.

According to the information received, the violence erupted in the town of el-Obeid during elections for the Kordofan University Student Union, between Darfuri students and others loyal to the ruling National Congress Party (NCP). When the results were announced the following day, Darfuri students reportedly objected that the voting had been rigged. On 23 February 2008, nine Darfuris – all of them members of the faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi – were reportedly arrested from a house in the Hay al-Buga area of al-Obeid.

The details of those arrested are as follows:

1) Mr. Daoud Ahmed Altahier (graduated from al-Ahlia University, chairperson of the Wadey Hauer University Students’ Association)

2) Mr. Mohmed Ali Hmado (graduated from al-Nilen University)

3) Mr. Esmail Ebaid Abakr (graduated from al-Nilen University)

4) Mr. Adem Babkr Naiel (graduated from al-Nilen University)

5) Mr. Ahmed Abdien Hamad Younies (graduated from al-Nilen University)

6) Mr. Alfadel Omer Shamo (student at al-Delng University)

7) Mr. Mubark Bakhiet Ebrahim (student at al-Delng University)

8) Mr. Mahmud Naiel Mohamed (graduated from al-Delng University)

9) Mr. Khalid Ahmed Mansor (16 years old, high school student in al-Delng)

According to the same information, some members of the group had travelled from Khartoum to Kordofan to support their party in the student union elections there. They were initially held for a day in the custody of the security services before being transferred to Shortat al-Qism al-Awsat police station. Mr. Alfadel Omer Shamo, Mr. Mubark Bakhiet Ebrahim, Mr. Mahmud Naiel Mohamed and Mr. Khalid Ahmed Mansor were released without charges on 26 February 2008 and the remaining five individuals were released on 4 March 2008. These five were reportedly charged with illegal possession of weapons and with alleged participation in a riot. While a court subsequently dismissed the case of illegal possession of weapons against them on 14 March 2008, the other charge remains pending.

According to the same information, all the above mentioned individuals are reported to have suffered torture including beatings during their time in detention. They were reportedly tortured while at the Security Agents Office, before being transferred to the police station (after approximately 35 hours). Mr. Esmail Ebaid Abakr was reportedly unable to see for several days and Mr. Daoud Ahmed Altahier had marks from where he was allegedly hung by a rope (at the time of issuing the appeal no further information are available on the torture suffered.)

Political violence on university campuses is reportedly a frequent occurrence in Sudan. The tensions surrounding the recent student election in Northern Kordofan, which borders the conflict-ridden Darfur region, are thought to be related at least in part to efforts by the NCP to exert its influence there in the run-up to national elections scheduled to take place next year.

The International Secretariat of OMCT expresses its grave concern about the allegations of torture by security forces and urges the Sudanese authorities to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all the above mentioned individuals at all times. OMCT recalls that Sudan is a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In line with their obligations under this treaty, it is incumbent on the Sudanese authorities to consider seriously any allegations of torture and ill-treatment made by the victim, and to undertake a thorough investigation in this regard. Furthermore, OMCT would like to remind Sudan that under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Sudan is party, “States Parties shall ensure that: no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” (article 37 (a)).

Requested Action

Please write to the authorities in Sudan urging them to:

i. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all the above mentioned individuals;

ii. Drop the charges against Mr. Daoud Ahmed Altahier, Mr. Mohmed Ali Hmado, Mr. Esmail Ebaid Abakr and Mr. Ahmed Abdien Hamad Younies in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international law and standards, or if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;

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