PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 38/003/2008

Further information on UA 137/08 (AFR 38/002/2008, 23 May 2008) - Incommunicado detention /Fear of torture or ill-treatment 30 May 2008

MAURITANIA Mohamed Ould Semane (m)

Mohamed Khouna Ould Brahim Salem (m)

And at least 37 others

Mohamed Ould Semane, Mohamed Khouna Ould Brahim Salem and 37 others appeared in court for their preliminary hearing at the Nouakchott court on 26 and 27 May. All 39 were believed to have been detained in relation to attacks which the authorities blame on terrorists. Six people including, Mohamed Khouna Ould Brahim were released without charge. Mohamed Ould Semane and the 32 others were charged on a statesecurity offence. Five of those charged were released between 26 and 27 May on the condition that they regularly report to their local police stations.

Several detainees were tortured and ill-treated by security forces during their incommunicado detention. One of the detainees told his lawyer and the prosecutor that during the first three days of his arrest he was tied up by his hands and feet and detained in a room littered with human excrement.

Whilst being interrogated his hands were tied behind his back and he was then forced face down to the floor by a police officer who sat upon his back. He was threatened with a torture method known as the 'jaguar' (being beaten whilst suspended from a metal bar by the hands and feet). Lawyers for the detainees reported that several of the detainees had been tortured in this manner.

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

- expressing concerns that several of the detainees charged with a state security offence were tortured and ill-treated during their detention;

- calling for an immediate and impartial inquiry into the allegations of torture and for the results to be made public and those responsible brought to justice.

APPEALS TO: (It may be very difficult to send faxes to Mauritania.)

President of the Republic

Président de la République

Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Cheikh

Présidence de la République

B.P. 184

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Fax : +222 525 98 01 (when someone answers, say “je voudrais envoyer un fax, s’il vous plaît I’d like to send a fax, please”)

Salutation: Monsieur le Président / Dear Mr President

Minister for the Interior, Post and Telecommunications

Mohamed Yehdhih Ould Moctar El Hacen

Ministre de l’Intérieur, des Postes et Télécommunications

B.P. 195

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Fax : + 222 525 36 61

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

Minister of Justice

Yahya Ould Sid'El Moustaph

Ministre de la Justice

B.P. 350 Nouakchott, Mauritania

Fax: +222 529 49 84

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

COPIES TO: Diplomatic representatives of Mauritania accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 11 July 2008.