PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 51/123/2007

19 July 2007

Further Information on UA 297/05 (AMR 51/193/2005, 25 November 2005) Legal concern/Fear of torture/Health concern

YEMEN/USA Fawaz Naman Hamoud Abdullah Mahdi (m), Yemeni national resident in Saudi Arabia

Fawaz Mahdi was one of four men returned to Yemen from Guantánamo in June. All four were arrested on arrival. They are detained without charge or trial at the Political Security prison in Sana’a.

Twelve Yemeni nationals detained in Guantánamo have been returned to Yemen. According to the US Department of Defense, there are now approximately 360 men still held in Guantánamo, over 100 of whom are believed to be Yemeni nationals.

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

- expressing concern that Fawaz Mahdi has been detained without charge since he was returned to Yemen from Guantánamo, and asking what his current legal status is;

- calling on the authorities to release Fawaz Mahdi unless he is to be charged with a recognisably criminal offence and given a fair trial;

- urging the authorities to give Fawaz Mahdi access to legal counsel and to the courts to challenge the legality of his detention.

APPEALS TO:

President

His Excellency General ´Ali ´Abdullah Saleh

President of the Republic of Yemen

Sana'a

Republic of Yemen

Fax: + 967 127 4147

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Interior

His Excellency Dr Rashid Muhammad al-Alimi

Ministry of Interior

Sana'a

Republic of Yemen

Fax: + 967 1 332 511

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Human Rights

Her Excellency Houda ‘Ali ‘Abdullatif al- Baan

Ministry for Human Rights

Sana’a, Republic of Yemen

Faxes: + 967 1 444 838

Salutation: Your Excellency

and to diplomatic representatives of Yemen accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 August 2007.

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