Case SDN 160109
Arbitrary arrest/ Incommunicado detention/ Risk for safety
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, about the arbitrary and incommunicado detention of Dr. Hassan Al Turabi, 76-year-old leader of the opposition group Popular Congress Party (PCP), and Dr. Bashir Adam Rahama, political officer of the PCP, who are currently detained in Kober Prison.
According to the information received, Dr. Hassan Al Turabi and Dr. Bashir Adam Rahama were arrested by agents of the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 14 January 2009 in Khartoum. Since then, they have been refused access to their families and legal representation. Both individuals reportedly suffer from high blood pressure and Dr. Hassan Al Turabi’s family was not allowed to give him his medicine. Furthermore, till now, no charges were brought against them and the exact reasons of their arrest remain unclear.
According to the same information, Dr. Hassan Al Turabi had made a statement two days before his arrest calling on President Al Bashir to assume political responsibility for the crimes committed in Darfur, including displacement, burning of villages and systematic rapes, and had suggested that he should defend himself in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Dr. Bashir Adam Rahama had also reportedly expressed his support for the ICC.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concern for the safety of Dr. Hassan Al Turabi and Dr. Bashir Adam Rahama, being at particular risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment due to their conditions of detention. OMCT is further concerned with regard to their detention, which, according to the information received, seemed to be based solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression. OMCT recalls to Sudan that according to article 9 1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) “no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention”. OMCT has been informed of an increase in incidents of enforced censorship, arbitrary detention and interrogation since the ICC Prosecutor asked the pre-trial judges to indict President Al-Bashir for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Please write to the authorities in Sudan urging them to:
Please also write to the embassies of Sudan in your respective country.
Geneva, 16 January 2009
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
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