EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 23/06/91

Distr: UA/SC

15 October 1991

Further information on UA 305/91 (AFR 23/05/91, 11 September 1991) - Medical Concern

DJIBOUTI:Aref Mohamed Aref, lawyer

Amnesty International has been informed that soon after UA 305/91 was issued on 11 September 1991 Aref Mohamed Aref, who had been suffering from tachycardia (abnormally rapid heartbeat) and food poisoning, was transferred to hospital - Hôpital Peltier, in the capital, Djibouti. After treatment he has now been returned to Ali-Adde prison at Dikhil near the Ethiopian border.

The authorities have still made no statement on when Aref Mohamed Aref, former Prime Minister Ali Aref Bourhan (his uncle) and others arrested with them in January 1991 (see UA 20/91, AFR 23/01/91, 21 January) will be brought to trial before the special security tribunal, where they will face the death penalty.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Aref Mohamed Aref, a 39-year-old lawyer, who has previously defended political prisoners in Djibouti, was arrested on 13 January 1991 together with his uncle, Ali Aref Bourhane, aged 57, a prominent government opponent and former Prime Minister (président du gouvernement) before independence from France in 1977, and many other members of the Afar ethnic group. Aref Mohamed Aref, his uncle and over a dozen others were later charged with attempting to overthrow the government (atteinte à la sécurité de l'Etat), for which the death penalty could be imposed.

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

Participants in the original appeal may if they wish write again to the Djibouti authorities:

- welcoming Aref Mohamed Aref's transfer to hospital and medical treatment;

- asking for continued observation of his health in the remote Ali-Adde prison;

- stating also Amnesty International's concern at his prolonged pre-trial detention and that of Ali Aref Bourhane and others arrested with him, and that the court which would try his case, the state security tribunal, does not meet international standards of fair trial;

- expressing the fear that Aref Mohamed Aref may be detained solely on account of his non-violent opposition to the government.

page 2 of FU 305/91

APPEALS TO:

1.

Son Excellence Monsieur Hassan Gouled APTIDON Son Excellence

Président de la République

La Présidence

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

Telegrams:President Aptidon, La Presidence, Djibouti

Faxes:+ 253 3550 49; + 253 3501 74

2.

Son Excellence Monsieur Barkad Gourad HAMADOU Son Excellence

Premier Ministre

Office du Premier Ministre

BP 2086, Djibouti, République de Djibouti

Telegrams:Premier Ministre Hamadou, Djibouti

3.

Monsieur Ahmed Boulaleh BARREH Monsieur

Ministre de l'Intérieur

Ministère de l'Intérieur

BP 2086, Djibouti, République de Djibouti

Telegrams:Ministre de l'Interieur Barreh, Djibouti

4.

Monsieur Ismael Omar GUELLE Monsieur

Chef du cabinet présidentiel

La Présidence

BP 6, Djibouti, République de Djibouti

Telegrams:Chef du cabinet presidentiel, Djibouti

COPIES TO:

1.

Mohamed Djama ELABE

Ministre de la Santé

Ministère de la Santé

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

2.

Monsieur Ougoureh Hassan IBRAHIM

Ministre de la Justice

Ministère de la Justice

BP 12

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

3.

Monsieur Moumin Bahdon FARAH

Ministre des Affaires Etrangères

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

BP 1863

Djibouti, République de Djibouti

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 26 November 1991.