EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 56/03/92

Distr: UA/SC

5 March 1992

Further information on UA 70/92 (AFR 56/02/92, 26 February 1992) - Legal/Medical Concern

TANZANIA:Juma Ngwali

Omar Msellem

Mkubwa Makame

Soud Mohammed Nuhu

Said Abdulla

Ali Nassor

Massoud Ali

Nassor Seif

Othman Makame

and six others whose names are unknown

and new nameIsmail "Kopa"

Amnesty International has learned that Juma Ngwali and the other prominent government opponents named above arrested on 25 February 1992 were released uncharged the next day. As a condition of their release, they were reportedly made to sign a promise that they would not meet together for the next six months.

It has been reported that Ismail "Kopa" was arrested in Zanzibar on 27 February 1992 and accused of insulting the ruling party in Tanzania, the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). He is believed to have been remanded in custody and a bail application is due to be heard in court on 5 March 1992.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:

- welcoming the release without charge of 15 people arrested on 25 February 1992 who Amnesty International believed might have been prisoners of conscience held for the non-violent expression of their political beliefs;

- expressing concern at the arrest of Ismail "Kopa" on 27 February 1992 on the island of Zanzibar who Amnesty International believes may be a prisoner of conscience;

- seeking assurances that the authorities are not using a criminal charge as a means of silencing a non-violent political opponent of the government;

- asking where he is being held and seeking assurances that he is being humanely treated and that he has access to visits from his lawyer and family.

Page 2 of FU 70/92

APPEALS TO:

1) The Hon. Ndugu Salmin Amour

President of Zanzibar

Office of the President of Zanzibar

PO BOX 776

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Telegrams: President, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Telexes: 57311, 57367

Salutation: Dear President

2) The Hon. Ndugu Omar Ali Juma

Chief Minister of Zanzibar

Office of the Chief Minister

PO BOX 437

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Telegrams: Chief Minister, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Telexes: 57017

Salutation: Dear Chief Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

His Excellency Ndugu Ali Hassan Mwinyi

President of the United Republic of Tanzania

Office of the President

State House

PO BOX 9120

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The Hon. Ndugu Idi Pandu Hassan

Attorney-General of Zanzibar

Office of the Attorney-General

PO BOX 437

Zanzibar, Tanzania

and to diplomatic representatives of Tanzania in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 16 April 1992.