EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 19/07/91

Distr: UA/SC

6 December 1991

Further information on UA 85/90 (AFR 19/06/91, 27 February 1990) and follow-ups AFR 19/05/91 (2 May 1991), AFR 19/06/91 (2 October 1991) - Legal Concern

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC:General François Bozize

Amnesty International has learned that General François Bozize was released on 1 December 1991. After his release he said that he had been very badly treated in detention, he was not allowed visitors and did not receive any medical attention, despite suffering from two fractured ribs as a result of severe beatings to which he was subjected by members of the security forces.

General François Bozize, a former government minister, had been immediately rearrested following his acquittal on 24 September 1991 of a number of offences, including endangering the security of the state. He had been detained since August 1989 for these offences. It is not known why he was rearrested and as such he appeared to be a prisoner of conscience held on account of his non-violent opposition to the government.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: Telexes/telegrams/airmail letters, in FRENCH, if possible

- welcoming the news of the release of General François Bozize;

- expressing concern about his poor state of health and urging that he be provided with all necessary medical care;

- urging that there be an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the ill-treatment of General François Bozize and that those responsible for it be brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:

1) President:

Son Excellence

Général d'Armée André KOLINGBA

Président de la République

Palais de la Renaissance

Bangui, République centrafricaine

Telexes: 5300 PRESICAB RC or 5201 VICEPRE RC

Telegrams: President KOLINGBA Bangui, RCA

[Salutation: Monsieur le Président de la Republique / Dear President]

2) Prime Minister:

Monsieur Edouard FRANK

Premier Ministre et Chef du Gouvernement

Palais de la Renaissance

Bangui, République centrafricaine

Telexes: 5300 PRESICAB RC or 5201 VICEPRE RC

Telegrams: Premier Ministre Frank, Bangui, RCA

[Salutation: Monsieur le Premier Ministre / Dear Prime Minister]

Page 2 of 3FU 85/90

3) Minister of Justice:

Monsieur Jean KPWOKA

Ministre de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux

Ministère de la Justice

Bangui, République centrafricaine

Telexes: 5293 JUSTICE RC

Telegrams: Ministre Justice Kpwoka, Bangui, RCA

[Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister]

COPIES TO:

Defence Advisor to the President:

Monsieur Christophe GRELOMBE

Conseiller en matières de la Défense au Président

de la République

Présidence de la République

Palais de la Renaissance

Bangui, République centrafricaine

Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Monsieur Laurent GOMINA-PAMPALI

Ministre des Affaires étrangères

Ministère des Affaires étrangères

BP 936

Bangui, République centrafricaine

Minister of the Interior:

Monsieur Ismaila NIMAGA

Ministre de la Sécurité publique

et de l'Administration du territoire

Ministère de l'Administration du territoire

Bangui, République centrafricaine

and to diplomatic representatives of the Central African Republic in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 17 January 1992.