EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 43/04/92

Distr: UA/SC

28 October 1992

Further information on 275/92 (AFR 43/03/92, 2 September 1992) - Legal concern/Fear of ill-treatment

NIGER:Mohamed Moussa, Minister of Transport, trade and tourism

Akoli Daouel, founder and leader of the Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UDPS), Union for democracy and social progress

Moctar el Incha, Préfet, Governor, head of the local administration of Agadez

Alhassane Dogo, provincial sous-Préfet, deputy head of the local administration of Arlit

Elias el Mahadi, captain in the Armed Forces

Alhadji Kane, director of the Tourist Bureau in Agadez and member of the UDPS

Rabdouane Mohamed, teacher

and many others including some children

In response to appeals generated by this action [UA 275/92 (AFR 43/03/92, 2 September 1992)], the head of the armed forces, Issa Maazou, assured participants that detainees were being well-treated and were the subject of investigations. However, Amnesty International remains concerned that the above mentioned people of Tuareg origin, arrested in Niger between 27 and 31 August 1992, are among at least 100 other Tuareg, who are still detained outside of any legal framework for their alleged connections with the Tuareg rebel movement. It is still not clear where they are held.

These arrests started as an unofficial policy by some members of the army, but Prime Minister Amadou Cheffou has since issued a statement in which he said that "all means would be put at the disposal of the security forces in order to safeguard the security of all citizens". On 6 October 1992 he announced that he would hold a "forum for national reconciliation" at the end of November 1992 to discuss and try to find a peaceful settlement to the Tuareg question. He stated that all representatives of the Tuareg movement would be invited to attend this conference.

Since the beginning of September 1992, the Front de libération de l'Aïr et de l'Azaouagh (FLAA), the Aïr and Azaouagh Liberation Front, has intensified attacks on civilian targets in northern Niger. On 15 September 1992 a Tuareg chief apparently suspected of cooperating with security forces was killed by Tuareg rebels. Earlier in August another Tuareg chief was killed in similar circumstances. Most Tuareg chiefs of northern Niger met in Agadez at the beginning of October 1992. They called for the release of all the innocent civilian Tuaregs and they also condemned all the recent attacks carried out by Tuareg rebels.

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

- inquiring about the place of detention of above mentioned people including all other Tuareg held since August 1992;

- inquiring about the reasons and legal basis for their detention;

page 2 of FU 275/92...

- calling again for their immediate and unconditional release if they have not committed a recognizably criminal offence nor used or advocated violence, stating that they appear to be held as prisoners of conscience.

APPEALS TO:

1. Prime Minister:

Monsieur Amadou Cheffou

Premier Ministre

La Primature

NIAMEY

Niger

Telegrams:Prime Minister, Niamey, Niger

Salutation:Monsieur le Premier Ministre/Dear Prime Minister

2. Head of the Army:

Monsieur le Colonel Issa Maazou

Chef de l'état-major des forces armées

Forces armées nationales

BP 745

NIAMEY

Niger

Telegrams:Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Niamey, Niger

Salutation:Monsieur le Colonel/Dear Colonel

3. Minister of the Interior:

Monsieur Daouda Rabiou

Ministre de l'intérieur

Ministère de l'intérieur

NIAMEY

Niger

Telegrams:Minister of the Interior, Niamey, Niger

Telexes:5214

Salutation:Monsieur le Ministre/Dear Minister

4. Minister of Justice:

Monsieur Abdou Tiousso

Ministère de la Justice

NIAMEY

Niger

Telegrams:Minister of Justice, Niamey, Niger

Telexes:5214

Salutation:Monsieur le Ministre/Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Le Républicain (Newspaper)

Nouvelle imprimerie du Niger

Place du Petit Marché

BP 12015

NIAMEY

Niger

Faxes:227 73 41 42

Haské (Newspaper)

BP 297

Niamey

Niger

and to diplomatic representatives of Niger accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 9 December 1992.