PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 49/07/98

UA 264/98 Fear for safety 9 October 1998

SENEGAL Anquiling Diabone, regional representative of the Senegalese human rights organization Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de L'homme (RADDHO), African Conference for the Defence of Human Rights

His wife, Mary Sambou

His sons Amai Koné Wilfrid, aged 16, and Kouassénibo, aged 14

His nephew Atinbaye, aged 16

There is concern for the safety of human rights defender Anquiling Diabone, who was recently severely beaten by soldiers, and his family, who have been intimidated by soldiers.

On 1 October 1998, Anquiling Diabone was arrested at a military checkpoint 40 km from Ziguinchor, the main city of Casamance, in southern Senegal. The soldiers held him for four hours, during which time he was beaten and criticized for his human rights activities.

On 6 October, Anquiling Diabone’s wife, two sons and nephew were also detained for some time and intimidated by soldiers at the same checkpoint.

Amnesty International believes that these acts all aim to silence Anquiling Diabone, one of the most courageous human rights defenders in the region.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Anquiling Diabone has pursued his work as an impartial defender of human rights in the context of armed conflict in Casamance. For the past 15 years the Mouvement des forces démocratiques de Casamance (MFDC), Democratic Forces of Casamance Movement, has been involved in a violent struggle for independence. In January 1998, Father Diamacoune Senghor, the secretary general of the MFDC, called for a negotiated settlement to the conflict and, for the first time, talked about giving up the fight for independence. Despite this, tension has prevailed in the region.

The army continues to be responsible for “disappearances” and extrajudicial executions. The MFDC is also responsible for serious human rights abuses, including deliberate and arbitrary killings of civilians and laying landmines that have killed or maimed dozens of civilians.

More than 160 suspected MFDC sympathisers remain in prison without trial. Most of them were severely tortured during their first days of detention. Most appear to be prisoners of conscience.

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

- expressing concern that Anquiling Diabone was detained and beaten by soldiers at a checkpoint on 1 October 1998 and that his wife, two sons and nephew were later also detained and intimidated at the same checkpoint;

- expressing concern that they may be at risk of further human rights violations by members of the Senegalese security forces;

- seeking assurances that the government will take immediate steps to ensure the physical security of Anquiling Diabone and his family;

- calling for an inquiry into the incident and asking that those responsible be brought to justice;

- calling on the Senegalese authorities to give strict orders to the security forces to respect human rights;

- reminding the Senegalese authorities of the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, notably Article 3: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

APPEALS TO:

Son Excellence Monsieur Abdou DIOUF, President de la République

La Présidence, Avenue Roume, BP 168, Dakar, Sénégal

Telegrams: President, Dakar Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 21 86 60

Salutation: Monsieur le Président / Dear President

Monsieur Serigne DIOP

Garde des Sceaux et Ministre de la Justice, Ministère de la Justice

Immeuble Administratif, BP 176, Dakar, Sénégal

Telegrams: Ministre Justice, Dakar, Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 23 27 27 (voice message is followed by fax tone)

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

Monsieur le Général Lamine CISSE

Ministre de l’Intérieur, Ministère de l’Intérieur

Rond-POint de la République, Dakar, Sénégal

Telegrams: Ministre L’Intérieur, Dakar, Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 21 05 42

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

COPIES TO :

Monsieur Jacques BAUDIN

Ministre des Affaires Etrangères, Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

Place de l’Indépendance, Dakar, Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 23 84 88

Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des droits de l’homme (RADDHO),

BP 15246, Dakar, Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 24 60 52

Sud Quotidian newspaper, BP 4130 Dakar, Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 22 52 90

Wal Fadjiri newspaper, BP 576, Dakar, Sénégal

Faxes: + 221 8 24 23 46

and to diplomatic representatives of Senegal accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 November 1998.

"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

Article 3, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Visit the Amnesty International UDHR campaign website on http://www.amnesty.excite.com