PUBLICAI Index: AFR 24/001/2002

UA 84/02Fear of Torture/Possible POCs19 March 2002

EQUATORIALFelipe Ondó Obiang - former parliamentarian &

GUINEA leader of the Fuerza Demócrata Republicana (FDR), Republican Democratic Force

Emilio Ndongo Biyogo- member of the Unión Popular (UP), Popular Union

Guillermo Nguema Elá - former Finance Minister & leader of the Fuerza Demócrata Republicana (FDR), Republican Democratic Force

General Jaime Obama Owono Nchama

Lt. Col. Lorenzo Ondó Elá

Lt. Col. Segismundo Obama Esono

Commandant Mariano Ndongo Esangui

And At least 40 Civilians and military personnel

Those named above are being held in Bata Public Prison, in the main city in the continental part of Equatorial Guinea, following a series of arrests by the security forces which began on 14 March. Amnesty International is concerned for their safety, following reports that some of them may have been tortured or ill-treated in prison, which is a routine punishment for political detainees in Equatorial Guinea. All are being held without charge and are possible prisoners of conscience.

Felipe Ondó Obiang, former parliamentarian and leader of the not yet legalized opposition party, Fuerza Demócrata Republicana (FDR), Republican Democratic Force and his brother-in-law Emilio Ndongo Biyogo, member of Unión Popular (UP), Popular Union, were arrested in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea on Bioko Island, on the afternoon of 14 March. They had just come back from Bata, where they had been confined by the authorities for several weeks. Their whereabouts were unknown for one day despite attempts by their families to find them at possible places of detention in Malabo. They were taken to Bata Public Prison, where eyewitnesses report seeing them on 15 March, with severe injuries, thought to be caused by torture following their arrest in Malabo.

Guillermo Nguema Elá, former minister of Finance and member of the FDR was arrested on 15 March in Malabo and then taken to Bata Public Prison. A number of his and Felipe Ondó Obiang’s relatives and friends were reportedly arrested in Mongomo, a town near the border with Gabon, where other high-ranking government officials come from. They too were reportedly transferred to Bata Public Prison.

According to reports, the authorities have also arrested other civilians and military personnel, including those named above, allegedly connected with the FDR in Bata, Malabo and Mongomo, as part of the recent wave of arrests. They are also apparently being held in Bata Public Prison. Opposition parties have asked the authorities why the arrests have taken place, but have not been given a reason. Some of those arrested, including Felipe Ondó Obiang and Guillermo Nguema Elá have been detained in the past for their peaceful political activities.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Despite the fact that for many years the authorities of Equatorial Guinea have promised not to obstruct peaceful political activities, a number of political opponents including members of the opposition Convergencia para la Democracia Social (CDPS), Convergence for Social Democracy have been harassed and arrested in the last few months. In addition, opposition political parties have found it more difficult to mobilize their supporters as a result of years of repression and internal dissension and defections, which have often been engineered by the ruling party, the Partido Democrático de Guinea Ecuatorial (PDGE), Equatorial Guinea Democratic Party.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

- seeking urgent assurances that Felipe Ondó Obiang, Emilio Ndongo Biyogo, Guillermo Nguema Elá as well as civilian and military personnel detained since 14 March, will be safeguarded from any form of ill-treatment or torture;

- urging that they be allowed immediate and continued access to their family, medical care and legal counsel;

- asking the authorities to give the reason for their arrest;

- calling for them to be immediately and unconditionally released, unless they are to be promptly charged with recognizably criminal offences.

APPEALS TO:

President of the Republic

General Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

Presidente de la República

Gabinete del Presidente de la República

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telegrams:Presidente de la República, Malabo, República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Fax: + 240 9 3313/3334

Salutation:Your Excellency/Excelencia

Minister of Interior

Clemente Ngonga Nguema Andema

Ministro del Interior

Ministerio del Interior

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telegrams:Ministro del Interior, Malabo, República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Fax: + 240 9 2683/2688

Salutation: Dear Interior Minister/ Sr. Ministro

Minister of Justice

Rubén Mayé Nsue Mangue

Ministro de Justicia y Culto

Ministerio de Justicia y Culto

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Telegrams:Ministro de Justicia y Culto, Malabo, República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Fax: + 240 9 2115

Salutation: Dear Justice Minister/ Sr. Ministro

COPIES TO:

Diplomatic representatives of Equatorial Guinea accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 April 2002