PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 24/006/2003

UA 164/03 Prisoner of Conscience (POC)/ 11 June 2003

Disappearance /Fear of ill-treatment/

EQUATORIAL Felipe Ondo Obiang - leader of the Fuerza Demócrata

GUINEA Republicana (FDR), Democratic Republican Force

Prisoner of Conscience, Felipe Ondo Obiang disappeared from his cell at Black Beach Prison in the capital Malabo, on Bioko Island, at 2 am on 9 June. According to reports, he was taken by unidentified security personnel, and is believed to be held at Evinayong Prison, some 150 kilometres east of Bata, the main city on the mainland. He is at risk of ill-treatment and may not receive adequate food, which is normally provided by prisoners’ families.

Following his disappearance from Black Beach Prison, Felipe Ondo Obiang's whereabouts were unknown for over 30 hours. When his family questioned where he was, they were told that he had been taken to the main police station in Malabo. The police however denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.

There has still been no official confirmation of Felipe Ondo Obiang's exact location, though reports indicate that following his removal from Black Beach Prison, he was flown to the mainland at 5 am and then transferred to Evinayong Prison.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Felipe Ondo Obiang was arrested in March 2002. Subsequently, about 150 people, including several of his relatives, friends and members of the FDR were arrested. Most, including Felipe Ondo Obiang, were severely tortured in pre-trial detention. They were all charged with attempting to overthrow the government and rebellion and were unfairly tried between May and June 2002. Felipe Ondo Obiang was convicted as charged and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. Amnesty International adopted him and another 55 co-defendants as POCs. Two POCs died in July and August 2002 as a result of poor prison conditions and lack of medical treatment for the injuries they had sustained as a result of torture. (See UA 84/02, AFR 24/001/2002,19 March 2002 and follow-ups AFR 24/002/2002, 28 March 2002; AFR 24/008/2002, 7 June 2002; AFR 24/011/2002, 13 June 2002; and AFR 24/013/2002, 4 July 2002).

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

- expressing concern for the safety of Felipe Ondo Obiang who was taken from his prison cell in Black Beach in the early hours of the morning of 9 June 2003;

- asking the authorities to publicly confirm his whereabouts;

- calling on the authorities to ensure he is given immediate access to his family and lawyer;

- seeking assurances that he will not be tortured or ill-treated and that he is held in humane conditions;

- calling for his immediate and unconditional release;

- urging the authorities to ensure that no prisoners will be illegally removed from prison.

APPEALS TO:

President of the Republic

General Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

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: Excelencia/ Your Excellency

Ministre of Justice

Rubén Mayé Nsue Mangue

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: Sr. Ministro/ Dear Justice Minister

COPIES TO:

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Pastor Micha Ondo Bile

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores

Malabo

República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Fax: + 240 9 3132/2320

and 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 23 July 2003.