EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: MDE 29/31/91

Distr: UA/SC

UA 426/91 Ill-treatement and Hunger-Strike5 December 1991

MOROCCOMohamed El Boukikli

Abdallah Hosni

Ait Belaid Brahim

Hassan Sayeb

Abdel Moumen Chbari

Abdessalam Chefchaouni

Ahmed Ben Massoud

and 19 others

Amnesty International is concerned that Mohamed El Boukikli, Abdallah Hosni, Ait Belaid Brahim, Hassan Sayeb, Abdel Moumen Chbari, Abdessalam Chefchaouni, Ahmed Ben Massoud and 19 other prisoners are reported to have been ill-treated and tortured during their transfer from Ghbila Prison, and have since begun a hunger-strike in protest at their treatment. On 23 November 1991 the 26 prisoners were moved to another prison where all their personal belongings were confiscated, including medicines, clothes, blankets, books, radios, televisions and some appliances which they used to heat their food. Two days later they were reportedly undressed, handcuffed and severely beaten and tortured by the guards. They started an indefinite hunger-strike on 25 November 1991 in protest at the torture and ill-treatment they were subjected to, and demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. They are now reported to be held in cachots (small dark isolation cells) as a punishment for demanding that their rights be respected.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Mohamed El Boukikli, Abdallah Hosni, Ait Belaid Brahim, Hassan Sayeb, Abdel Moumen Chbari, Abdessalam Chefchaouni and Ahmed Ben Massoud are part of a group of 26 individuals who were arrested in 1985. They were tried in February 1986 and were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging between three and 20 years for offences including membership of an illegal organization. The prisoners of this "group of 26" have in the past undertaken several hunger-strikes complaining about issues such as ill-treatment, insufficient medical treatment and restrictions on their right to receive visits.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/airmail letters if possible in French or Arabic:

- expressing serious concern at reports that Mohamed El Boukikli, Abdallah Hosni, Ait Belaid Brahim, Hassan Sayeb, Abdel Moumen Chbari, Abdessalam Chefchaouni Ahmed Ben Massoud and 19 other prisoners were ill-treated and have begun a hunger-strike as a result of this ill-treatment;

- expressing concern that they have reportedly been deprived of their medicines, seeking information on their present conditions and seeking assurance that they are getting the necessary medical treatment;

- urging that an investigation be carried out into the incident of ill-treatment which led the 26 detainees to begin their hunger-strike and aks for the responsible prison officials to be brought to justice.

APPEALS TO

1)Sa Majesté

King Hassan II

Bureau de Sa Majesté le Roi

Palais Royal

Rabat, Maroc

Telegrams: King Hassan II, Rabat, Maroc.

Telex: 31744 or 32908

[Salutation: Sire]

2)M. Moulay Moustapha

Ministre de la Justice

Belarbi Alaoui

Ministère de la Justice

Palais de la Manounia

Rabat, Maroc

Telegrams: Ministre Justice, Rabat, Maroc

Telex:36888

[Salutation: Excellence]

3)M. Driss Basri

Ministre de l'Intérieur

Ministère de l'Intérieur

et de l'Information

Quartier Administratif

Rabat, Maroc

Telegrams: Ministre Interieure, Rabat, Maroc

Telex: 36161, 36731, 36969 ProCivile Rabat, Maroc

[Salutation: Excellence]

4)M. Abdellatif Filali

Ministre des Affaires Etrangères

Ministère des Affaires

Etrangères et de la Coopération

Avenue Franklin Roosevelt

Rabat, Maroc

Telegrams: Ministre Affairs Etrangeres, Rabat, Maroc

Telex 36014, 36707, 36117, 36064

[Salutation: Excellence]

5)M. Tayeb Bencheikh

Ministre de la Santé

Ministère de la Santé

335 Avenue Mohammad V

Rabat, Maroc

Telegrams: Ministre Santé, Rabat, Maroc

Telex: 32816 DATSANTE M or 32998 DATSANTE M

[Salutation: Excellence]

6)Dr Azeddine Laraki

Premier Ministre

Bureau du Premier Ministre

Palais Royal

Rabat, Maroc

Telegrams: Premier Ministre, Rabat, Maroc

Telex: 36008 GouvMaroc Rabat, Maroc

[Salutation: Excellence]

COPIES TO:

Comité de Coordination

Association marocaine des droits de l'homme

5 Zankat Soussa

Rabat, Maroc

Organization marocaine des droit de l'homme

24 Avenue de France

Agdal

Rabat, Maroc

and to diplomatic representatives of Morocco in your country.

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