EXTERNALAI Index: AFR 38/04/95

13 November 1995

Further information on UA 247/95 (AFR 38/03/95, 26 October 1995) - Fear of ill-treatment / legal concern and new concerns: Torture / Fear of unfair trial

MAURITANIAMemed Ould Ahmed

Mohamed Yehdih Ould Breidelil

Hamada Ould Beddy

Mohamed Ould Bowba

New names:Cheikh Ould Ouda'a

Cheikh Ould Bouasria

Abdellahi Ould M'Haimed

Bah Ould Bah

Issa Ould Bellal

El Arbi Ould Moulaye Zeine

Ahmed Ould Mohamed Brahim

Didi Ould Weissat

Baba Ould Ahmed Legraa

Cheikhna Ould Sakrhawi

Nahi Ould Nahi

Released:Mohamed Ould Hamady

Abdellahi Ould Mohamedou

Fifty-two of the people arrested since 24 October 1995, including one woman and seven military officers, have been charged with membership of an illegal association and creating a new political movement contrary to the law. The more serious charge of providing information to a foreign power has been dropped. They are due to appear before theCour correctionnelle (Correctional court) imminently.

The defendants' lawyers have been denied access to the legal dossiers. Some of the accused, including the 11 new names added above, have made statements that they were tortured during their interrogation. The lawyers have demanded a medical examination of the accused, which has been accepted by the authorities, but has not yet been carried out. After interrogation some of those arrested were released.

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

- urging that those facing trial are given a fair trial, in particular:

-defence lawyers should be given adequate access to their clients and to their dossiers;

-allegations of torture must be thoroughly investigated in court and no confessions which may have been extracted as a result of torture should be accepted in evidence;

-the hearings should be held in public.

- urging the authorities to allow a thorough and independent medical examination of the defendants;

- expressing concern that the defendants appear to have been charged solely because of their non-violent political activities and urging that, if this is the case, they be immediately and unconditionally released.

APPEALS TO:

Son Excellence

Monsieur Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya

Président de la République

La Présidence - BP 184

NOUAKCHOTT - Mauritania

Telegrams: Le President, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Telexes: 5580 PRIM MTN

Faxes: +222 2 52636

Salutation: Monsieur le Président / Dear Mr President

Monsieur Mohamed Lemine Salem Ould Dah

Ministre de l'Intérieur, des Postes et des Télécommunications

Ministère de l'Intérieur, des Postes et des Télécommunications

BP 195

NOUAKCHOTT - Mauritania

Telegrams: Ministre de l'Interieur, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

Monsieur Ethmane Sid'Ahmed Yassa

Ministre de la Justice

Ministère de la Justice

NOUAKCHOTT

Mauritania

Telegrams: Minstre de la Justice, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Faxes: +222 2 52860

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Monsieur le Rédacteur en chef, Mauritanie Nouvelles, BP 3901, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Agence Mauritanienne d'Information, BP 371, Nouakchott, Mauritania

and to diplomatic representatives of Mauritania accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 28 December 1995.