EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: MDE 17/03/95

Distr: UA/SC

28 April 1995

Further information on UA 55/95 (MDE 17/01/95, 2 March 1995) - Health concern / Prisoners of conscience

KUWAITMore prisoners on hunger-strike

Amnesty International has received reports that, in addition to the 10 prisoners of conscience who began a hunger strike on 14 February, at least 25 other political prisoners joined the hunger-strike on 21 February 1995.

They are said to be protesting against their continued detention after manifestly unfair trials before the Martial Law Court in May and June 1991 and before the State Security Court in 1992.

Concern is growing for the welfare of the hunger-strikers, 25 of whom are reported to have been transferred to a hospital and are said to be in a weak condition.

A hunger-strike is not in itself grounds for an Amnesty International intervention. However, in the case of prisoners of conscience hunger-striking in protest against their detention, Amnesty International's and the prisoners' demands coincide. The organization therefore urges the Kuwaiti authorities to provide all necessary medical care to the prisoners and grant the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience.

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

- urging the authorities to provide all necessary medical care to those on hunger strike;

- calling on the authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners of conscience;

- expressing concern that procedures in the Martial Law Court and the State Security Court did not meet minimum standards for fair trial as set out in international instruments;

- urging the authorities to make immediate arrangements to set up a judicial review of the cases of all political prisoners sentenced by the Martial Law Court and the State Security Court.

APPEALS TO:

1) His Highness Shaikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah

Amir of the State of Kuwait

Al-Diwan al-Amiri

Al-Safat

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Telegrams: Amir, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes:+965 539 6434

Salutation:Your Highness

2) His Highness Shaikh Sa'ad al-'Abdallah al-Sabah

Crown Prince and Prime Minister

Al-Diwan al-Amiri

Al-Safat

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Telegrams:Prime Minister, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes:+965 539 6434

Salutation: Your Highness

3) His Excellency Mshari al-'Anjari

Minister of Justice and Administrative Affairs

Ministry of Justice and Administrative Affairs

PO Box 6, Al-Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Telegrams:Justice Minister, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes:+965 246 6957

Salutation:Your Excellency

4) Mr Muhammad 'Abd al-Hay al-Bannay

Public Prosecutor

Ministry of Justice and Administrative Affairs

PO Box 6, Al-Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Telegrams:Public Prosecutor, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes:+965 246 6957

Salutation:Dear Sir

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

1) Local human rights groups

(a) Kuwait Association for the Defence of War Victims

P O Box 2211, Al-Salmiyya 22023, Kuwait

Faxes: +965 533 2233

(b) Committee for the Defence of Human Rights

The National Assembly (Parliament)

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Faxes: +965 241 6538

2) Newspaper

Al-Qabas

PO Box 21800, Kuwait City 13078, Kuwait

Faxes: +965 4834 355

and 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 9 June 1995.