EXTERNALAI Index: AFR 23/02/97

21 October 1997

Further information on UA 310/97 (AFR 23/01/97, 30 September 1997) - Fear of torture or ill-treatment

DJIBOUTI

Mohamed Kadamy Youssouf, representative of the opposition Front pour la Restauration de L’unité et de la

Démocratie, FRUD, Front for the Restoration of Unity and

Democracy

Aicha Dabale Ahmed(f), relief agency worker and wife of above

Ali Mohamed Maki Houmed, FRUD military commander

Mohamed Daoud Chehem, former political prisoner

Kamil Mohamed Ahmed ("Kabir"), FRUD political official

The five above-named people, who were forcibly returned from Ethiopia on 27 September 1997 without any extradition proceedings, are now being held in Gabode prison in the capital, Djibouti. They have been taken to court and remanded in custody for investigation into charges including attempted murder (tentative d’assassinat) and criminal association (association des malfaiteurs) in connection with the FRUD attack on government forces on 1 September. They now have access to their families and legal representative.

Amnesty International is investigating reports that more than five people were sent back by Ethiopia and that some of these were ill-treated.

It now seems clear that the five above-mentioned prisoners were not ill-

treated. However, Amnesty International is concerned that Aicha Dabale, who is three months pregnant, is being refused medical treatment for possible complications arising from her forcible return and the rough journey by road from Addis Ababa to Djibouti. Kamil Mohamed Ahmed ("Kabir"), who suffers from partial facial paralysis, is also reportedly in poor health, and being denied medical care.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/ airmail letters in French or in your own language:

- noting that the five above-named people are now undergoing judicial investigation in custody, and that they have access to a legal representative and their families;

- expressing concern for the health of Aicha Dabale and Kamil Mohamed Ahmed ("Kabir") and urging that they be immediately given any necessary medical care including hospital admission if needed;

- asking for full information on the legal status and treatment of these five and any other prisoners who were returned at the same time from Ethiopia.

This is a limited action. Please restrict appeals to 25 per section. No further appeals are requested to the Ethiopian government.

APPEALS TO:

Son Excellence Monsieur Hassan Gouled Aptidon

Président de la République

La Presidence

BP 6

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

Telegrams:Le Présidence, Djibouti

Faxes:+ 253 355049 / 350174

Salutation:Monsieur le Président de la République

Monsieur Hassan Farah Miguil

Ministre de la Justice

Ministere de la Justice

BP 12

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

Telegrams:Ministre Justice, Djibouti

Faxes:+ 253 354012

Salutation:Monsier le Ministre

COPIES TO:

Monsieur Ali Dini

Batonnier de l’Ordre des Avocats de Djibouti

Barreau de Djibouti

BP 2461

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

and to diplomatic representatives of DJIBOUTI accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 November 1997.