PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 32/010/2007

07 September 2007

UA 239/07 Possible enforced disappearance/ fear for safety

KENYA Farah Muhammed Abdullahi (m), aged 26

Eyewitnesses saw Farah Muhammed Abdullahi being abducted by four men in civilian clothes on 19 August in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. There has been no news of his whereabouts since. Amnesty International is concerned that he may have been the victim of an enforced disappearance. His life may be in danger.

At 7pm on 19 August, Farah Muhammed Abdullahi was leaving a mosque in Nairobi's Eastlands district, along with other attendees after prayers. Two witnesses saw him being approached by the four men, whom the witnesses believe to be police officers. Farah Muhammed Abdullahi resisted being taken. He was forced into a Mitsubishi Pajero four-wheel drive vehicle, and was heard asking the men, “Where are you taking me?” before calling out for help.

Farah Muhammed Abdullahi is the brother of Abdi Muhammed Abdullahi, who is being held incommunicado in Ethiopia after being transferred along with 80 others by Kenyan police to Somalia, and then to Ethiopia in early 2007 (see UA 88/07, AFR 25/005/2007, 16 April 2007, and follow-ups). Farah has been active in calling for the release of his brother from Ethiopia and for the Kenyan government to call for his brother’s return and take responsibility for him as a Kenyan citizen. Amnesty International is concerned that Farah may have been abducted by Kenyan security personnel because of his activism on his brother’s behalf.

A spokesperson for the Kenyan Police said they had no record of Farah Muhammed Abdullahi being arrested. Investigations by human rights activists in Kenya have not located Farah in any of the police stations in Nairobi.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In January 2007, over 100 people were arrested after crossing from Somalia into Kenya. At least 85 of these individuals were transferred back to Somalia, and 81 of this group were sent to Ethiopia in late January. Since this time, at least 22 people have been released by Ethiopia, but many other remain in detention, including Abdi Muhammed Abdullahi.

The government of Kenya continues to deny that any of the individuals transferred are Kenyan citizens. Human rights activists have documented the arrests and transfers, with Kenya based non-governmental organization, theMuslim Human Rights Forum, releasing a report on the extrajudicial transfers in early July that documented the case of Abdi Muhammed Abdullahi. During the launch, Farah spoke about the continuing detention of his brother, and received significant Kenyan and international media attention.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- expressing concern at the reported enforced disappearance of Farah Muhammed Abdullahi;

- urging the Kenyan authorities disclose whether any government agency is currently detaining Farah Muhammed Abdullahi, or whether he has been transferred out of Kenya;

- urging to Kenyan Police to investigate the abduction of Farah Muhammed Abdullahi, and prosecute anyone implicated as responsible for involvement in his abduction;

- if Farah Muhammed Abdullahi is in custody, calling on the authorities to ensure he is not tortured or ill-treated, and is given immediate and regular access to his family, lawyer and any necessary medical attention;

- urging the authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the transfers of detainees to Somalia and Ethiopia and make public its findings;

- calling for an end to the practice of incommunicado detention in Kenya.

APPEALS TO:

Hon. Mwai Kibaki C.G.H., MP

President of the Republic of Kenya

Harambee House, Harambee Avenue

P. O. Box 30510-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254 20 313600

Email: pps@statehousekenya.go.ke

Salutation: Your Excellency

Hon. John N. Michuki, E.G.H., MP

Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security

Harambee House, Harambee Avenue

P. O. Box 30510-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254 20 313600

Salutation: Dear Minister

Hon. Martha Karua MP

Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

Sheria House, Harambee Avenue,

P.O. Box 56057, Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254 20 316321

Email: minister-justice@skyweb.co.ke

Salutation: Dear Minister

Major General Mohamed Hussein Ali, M.G.H.

Commissioner of Police

Vigilance House, Harambee Avenue,

P.O. Box 30083, Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: +254 20 240955

Salutation: Dear Sir

COPIES TO:diplomatic representatives of Kenya accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 October 2007.