EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 29/01/92

Distr: UA/SC

UA 337/92Fear of Torture/fear of ill-treatment/

legal concern29 October 1992

GUINEA:Amadou Oury BAH, human rights activist, political leader

Amnesty International is concerned about the safety and whereabouts of Amadou Oury Bah who was arrested on 27 October 1992.

Amadou Oury Bah who was a founder member of the Organisation guinéenne des droits de l'homme (OGDH), Guinean Human Rights Organisation, and is now leader of the Union des Forces démocratiques (UFD), Union of the Democratic Forces, was arrested on 27 October 1992 at his home in the capital, Conakry, by members of the Presidential Guard (garde présidentielle). No reason has been given for his arrest and it is not known where he is held. There are reasons to fear that he may be subjected to torture or ill-treatment while in secret detention. In the past political detainees, including one suspected of membership of the UFD, have been subjected to ill-treatment or torture in detention.

The UFD has organised a march on 29 October 1992 to protest against Amadou Oury Bah's arrest.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Political parties were legalised in April 1992 in preparation for elections due to start in December 1992. Tension has been increasing as some opposition parties have alleged that the election census has not been carried out fairly and as President Lansana Conté has refused a joint demand by all 46 opposition parties for a national conference prior to elections.

President Lansana Conté has ruled Guinea since 1984 when he seized power a few days after the death of President Sékou Touré, who had ruled the country since soon after independence in 1958. He promised an end to the pattern of executions, "disappearances" and torture which had marked the previous government and released all political detainees, numbering some 200. However, human rights have continued to be violated and basic safeguards to protect prisoners against torture, extrajudicial execution and arbitrary detention have not been introduced.

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

- expressing concern about the arrest on 27 October 1992 of Amadou Oury Bah, a human rights activist and political leader;

- inquiring about the legal basis for his detention and any charges against him and where he is being held;

- seeking assurances that he is protected against any ill-treatment and that he is being given prompt and regular access to relatives, legal counsel and independent medical personnel;

- explaining that Amnesty International believes he may be a prisoner of conscience arrested purely on account of his political and human rights activities;

- appealing to the authorities to release him if no recognizably criminal charges are to be brought against him.

page 2 of UA 337/92...

APPEALS TO

1. Président de la République

Son Excellence le Général de Brigade

Lansana CONTE

La Présidence

Conakry, Guinée

Telegrams:President Lansana Conte, Conakry, Guinea

Telexes:22323 PRG GE, 22345 PALPEU GE

Salutation:Son Excellence/Your Excellency

2. Ministre des Affaires Etrangères

Son Excellence Monsieur Ibrahima Sylla

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

Conakry, Guinée

Telegrams:Minister of Foreign Affairs, Conakry, Guinea

Telexes:22334 MINAFE GE

Salutation:Son Excellence/Your Excellency

3. Ministre de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux

Monsieur Salifou Sylla

Ministère de la Justice

Conakry, Guinée

Telegrams:Minister of Justice, Conakry, Guinea

Telexes:22334 MINAFE GE (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Salutation:Monsieur le Ministre/Dear Minister

4. Secrétaire Général du CTRN

El Hadj Colonel Sory Doumbouya

Secrétaire Général du Conseil Transitoire

de Redressement National

CTRN

Conakry, Guinée

Telegrams:Colonel Sory Doumbouya, Conakry, Guinea

Salutation:Monsieur le Colonel/Dear Colonel

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Newspaper

Horoya

BP 191

Conakry

République de Guinée

Human Rights Organization

OGDH

BP 2476

Conakry

République de Guinée

and to diplomatic representatives of Guinea accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 10 December 1992.