EXTERNALAI Index: MDE 17/02/97

8 April 1997

Further information on UA 90/97 (MDE 17/01/97, 2 April 1997) - Fear of forcible return / Fear of torture

KUWAITMuhammad Mirza

Rashed ‘Abdullah Rashed

Shaikh ‘Abd al-Nabi al-Sitrawi

‘Adel al-Hayki

‘Ali al-Hayki

Hussain al-Hayki

‘Abd al-Jalil Shuwaikh (RELEASED)

Muhammad al-Hayki (RELEASED)

‘Issa al-Hayki (RELEASED)

and three others (RELEASED)

Six detainees who were among a group of 12 Bahraini nationals (not 11 as reported in original UA) arrested in Kuwait on 26 March have been released. The six were released on the night of 7 April, and include ‘Abd al-Jalil Shuwaikh, Muhammad Hayki and ‘Issa al-Hayki. According to information received by Amnesty International, four of them were released on bail on the basis of personal guarantees and payment of 200 Kuwaiti dinars each. The other two were released unconditionally.

To date, it is not known whether the six (named above) who remain held have been charged with any offence. The Kuwaiti authorities have made no further statements regarding their legal status, nor have they given assurances that they would not be forcibly returned to Bahrain.

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

- welcoming the release of six Bahraini nationals;

- expressing concern about the continued detention of the six others named above, and requesting details of any charges made against them;

- urging their immediate release unless charged with a recognizably criminal offence and brought to trial in accordance with international standards;

- seeking assurances that none of them will be forcibly returned to Bahrain where they risk serious human rights violations.

APPEALS TO:

1) His Excellency Shaikh Sabah al-Ahmad al Sabah

First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister

Al-Diwan al-Amiri

Al-Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes: +965 539 6434

Telegrams: Foreign Minister, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Salutation: Your Excellency

2) His Excellency Shaikh Mohammad

Khaled Al Sabah

Minister of Interior

Ministry of Interior

PO Box 11, Al-Safat 13002

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes: +965 243 3317

Telegrams: Interior Minister, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Salutation: Your Excellency

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

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 22 May 1997.