EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 23/03/91

Distr: UA/SC

UA 294/91 Medical Concern30 August 1991

Djibouti Mohamoud Moussa Ali ("Tourtour")

Amnesty International is concerned about the ill-health of Mohamoud Moussa Ali ("Tourtour"), a prisoner of conscience, detained without charge or trial since his arrest on 8 April 1991. He is suffering from cardiac and respiratory problems and high blood pressure which is reportedly causing fainting fits. He is in urgent need of adequate medical attention which has so far been denied him by the Djibouti authorities.

Mohamoud Moussa Ali's medical condition is believed to have been aggravated by a hunger-strike he undertook in May 1991 which left him reportedly looking pale and thin and unable to walk without the aid of a walking stick. On 22 May 1991 after 24 days of hunger strike he was transferred from Mouloule military camp at Obock and admitted to a clinic at Obock (50 kilometres north of Djibouti-town, across the Gulf of Tadjourah). The clinic does not have the facilities to treat his condition and there is no doctor currently in attendance. He is reportedly held their alone, guarded by two military policemen.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Mohamoud Moussa Ali ("Tourtour"), a former economic advisor to the President of Djibouti, was arrested on 8 April 1991 without charge or trial, effectively in a form of administrative detention which allows him no opportunity to appeal against his imprisonment to the courts, and has been denied access to legal representatives. His arrest followed a request he made to the Minister of the Interior to hold a political demonstration pressing for the legalization of a party, the Mouvement pour l'Unite et la Democratie (MUD), of which he is the founder: Djibouti is a one party state, so the existence of the MUD is not allowed. Mohamoud Moussa Ali's detention without trial continues despite assurances given to Amnesty International's delegates during a visit to Djibouti in April 1991 that he would swiftly be released from custody.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/faxes/airmail letters in French if possible:

-expressing concern about Mohamoud Moussa Ali ("Tourtour")'s worsening ill-health and lack of medical attention at Obock clinic (dispensaire);

-urging that he be given all necessary medical treatment without delay, including transfer to a hospital with adequate medical facilities;

-urging that he be given immediate access to legal representatives;

-appealing for his immediate and unconditional release as a prisoner of conscience imprisoned for his non-violent opinions.

page 2 of UA 294/91

APPEALS TO

1.

Son Excellency

Monsieur Hassan Gouled APTIDON

Président de la République

La Présidence

DJIBOUTI

République de Djibouti

Telegrams: President Aptidon, La Presidence, Djibouti, Djibouti

Faxes: + 253 3550 49

+ 253 3501 74

2.

Monsieur Khaireh Allaleh HARED

Ministre de l'Intérieur

Ministère de l'Intérieur

BP 2086

Djibouti

République de Djibouti

Telegrams: Ministre de l'Interieur Hared, Djibouti, Djibouti

COPIES TO:

Monsieur Moumin Bahdon FARAH

Ministre des Affaires Etrangères

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

BP 1863

Djibouti

République de Djibouti

Monsieur Ougoure Hassan IBRAHIM

Ministre de la Justice

Ministere de la Justice

BP 12

Djibouti

République de Djibouti

LA NATION

BP 32

Djibouti

République de Djibouti (Djibouti newspaper)

and to diplomatic representatives of Djibouti in your country

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 11 October 1991.