EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 24/01/91

Distr: UA/SC

7 January 1991

Further information on UA 513/90 (AFR 24/13/90, 20 December 1990) - Arrests of possible prisoners of conscience/Fear of illtreatment

EQUATORIAL GUINEA:

Antonio Ebang Mbele, Vice-President of Chamber of People's Representatives;

Francisco Boddien Ngalo, President of the Chamber of People's

Representatives;

Julio Ela Mangue, President of the Supreme Court;

Comandante Melanio Ebendeng Nsomo, the Minister Delegate for Defence

Marcelino Asumu Nsué, a former Minister ofAgriculture;

Martin Envo, a businessman;

Toribio Ela Mangue, a civilian;

Lieutenant Pedro Motu, a soldier;

Lieutenant Tobias Obiang Mba, a soldier.

AND ALSO: Valentin Ekogo Ondo, a soldier

Antonio Mba Nguema, a soldier

According to recently received reports it appears that three of those mentioned above, Francisco Boddien Ngalo, the President of the Chamber of People's Representatives; Julio Ela Mangue, the President of the Supreme Court; and Comandante Melanio Ebendeng Nsomo, the Minister-Delegate for Defence, were not among those previously reported to have been arrested in early December 1990. Recent reports have indicated that at least seven people were arrested: Marcelino Asumu Nsué, Martin Envo, Toribio Ela Mangue, Pedro Motu, Tobias Obiang Mba (note corrected name) and two other soldiers not mentioned in Urgent Action 513/90: Valentin Ekogo Ondo and Antonio Mba Nguema. Antonio Ebang Mbele was placed under house arrest in Micomeseng but is reported to have subsequently left Equatorial Guinea and gone into exile.

Amnesty International is continuing to make inquiries about these arrests.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/ telexes/ express and airmail letters:

- explaining that Amnesty International has recently received information indicating that Francisco Boddien Ngalo, Julio Ela Mangue and Melanio Ebendeng Nsomo were not, as was initially reported, among those arrested in December 1990;

- expressing concern about reports that at least seven others arrested in December - Marcelino Asumu Nsué, Martin Envo, Toribio Ela Mangue, Pedro Motu, Tobias Obiang Mba, Valentin Ekogo Ondo and Antonio Mba Nguema - continue to be detained, apparently for exercising their right to free expression of their political views;

- expressing concern that some of those detained are reported to have been ill-treated;

- urging that, if they are indeed imprisoned for opinions which they have expressed, they should be released immediately, and that if they are being charged with recognizably criminal offences they should be fairly tried by an independent and impartial court in accordance with international standards of fairness.

APPEALS TO:

Su Excelencia

Brig. Gen. Teodoro Obiang Nguema

Presidente de la República

Gabinete del Presidente de la República

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telegrams: Presidente Obiang Nguema

Malabo,República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Su Excelencia

Don Silvestre Siale Bileka

Ministro de Justicia

Ministerio de Justicia

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telegrams: Ministro Justicia Siale,

Malabo, República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telexes: 5405 GBNOM EG

Santiago Eneme Ovono

Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telegrams: Ministro Asuntos Exteriores Eneme,

Malabo, República de Guinea Ecuatorial

and to diplomatic representatives of Equatorial Guinea in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 21 February 1991.