EXTERNALAI Index: AFR 30/05/96

16 August 1996

Further information (2) on UA 192/96 (AFR 30/03/96, 1 August 1996) and follow-up AFR 30/04/96, 15 August 1996 - Fear of refoulement / ill-treatment / fear for safety and new health concern

GUINEA-BISSAU/SPAINAlbert Mukesha Batwaro, Rwandese, aged 20

David Damozekun Adekoro, Nigerian, aged 26

and other African nationals

On 15 August, four more of the people on hunger-strike in the Segunda Esquadra (Second Squadron) prison in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, were taken to hospital. David Damozekun Adekoro, a 26-year-old Nigerian, had attempted to commit suicide by cutting himself deeply with a broken bottle. The other three had become ill as a result of their fast. Three others, who had been admitted to hospital on 14 August and remained there overnight, were returned to prison on 15 August.

Albert Mukesha Batwaro, a 20-year-old Rwandese, David Damozekun Adekoro and 42 other men of various African nationalities are on hunger-strike in protest at the way they have been treated by Spanish and Guinea-Bissau authorities (see original Urgent Action and update). Four others had been ordered to return to their country, neighbouring Guinea-Conakry, on 9 August and one other Guinea-Conakry national, who had been temporarily allowed to leave prison, went into hiding in Bissau.

Amnesty International is concerned about the health and safety of the hunger-strikers and is calling on all relevant authorities to address their legitimate grievances. They did not have adequate opportunity to present their claims for asylum in Spain before being forcibly removed to Guinea-Bissau. Neither the four who were effectively forced to return to Guinea-Conakry nor any of the other 46 were given the opportunity to claim asylum in Guinea-Bissau.

Amnesty International fears that some of these people may be at risk of serious human rights violations if they are returned to their own countries. Guinea-Bissau is bound by international treaties to ensure that they are not repatriated either directly or indirectly to their own countries, without any opportunity to seek asylum and to have these claims fairly reviewed.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please continue urgent appeals to the Guinea-Bissau and Spanish authorities as outlined in the update of 15 August 1996 (AFR 30/04/96).

APPEALS TO:

President of Guinea-Bissau

Sua Excelência João Bernardo Vieira

Presidente da República

Palácio da República

Praça dos Herois Nacionais

Bissau, República da Guiné-Bissau

Faxes: + 245 20 20 07

Telexes: 251 pcr bi

Telegrams: Presidente Vieira, Bissau, Guiné-Bissau

Salutation: Excelência

Guinea-Bissau Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sua Excelência Fernando Delfim da Silva

Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Avenida Domingos Ramos

Bissau, República da Guiné-Bissau

Faxes: + 245 20 15 42

Telegrams: Ministro Fernando Delfim da Silva, Bissau, Guiné-Bissau

Salutation: Excelência

Spanish Minister of the Interior

Excmo Sr D Jaime Mayor Oreja

Ministro del Interior

Ministerio del Interior

Castellana 5, Madrid, Spain

Faxes: +34 1 537 1003

Telegrams: Ministro del Interior, Madrid, Spain

Salutation: Sr Ministro / Dear Minister

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Guinea-Bissau and Spain accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 September 1996.