PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 54/060/2003

16 July 2003

Further information on UA 172/03 (AFR 54/043/2003, 17 June 2003) and follow-up (AFR 54/050/2003, 25 June 2003) - Fear for safety / fear of torture or ill-treatment / incommunicado detention/medical concern

SUDAN Ramadan Ismail (m) ] all from the

Abu Nigel El Amin (m) ] Nuba ethnic

Juma Mahamoud (m) ] Group

Juma Omar El-Nur (m) ]

On 12 July, Juma Omar El-Nur was reportedly taken by security force personnel from Khartoum hospital to an unknown location in Khartoum, where he is again being held incommunicado. He had only regained consciousness on 7 July after spending a week in a coma. He was reportedly still in a critical condition when he left hospital andAmnesty International fears that his health may deteriorate further if he does not receive adequate medical care.

Juma Omar El-Nur was taken to hospital on 22 or 23 June. He had been burnt on his neck, chest and hands by a solution of sulphuric acid and also needed an operation following a kidney injury, suffered while under torture. He still has not been charged after two months in detention.

On 10 July, Abu Nigel El Amin was reportedly taken by security force personnel from Khartoum Hospital back to Dongola in Northern Sudan. Security forces officers had reportedly assured Abu Nigel El-Amin’s relatives in Khartoum that he would be released upon his arrival in Dongola. Security forces also allegedly stated that Ramadan Ismail and Juma Mahamoud have also been released. However, the relatives of the three men have still not established contact with them, and concerns remain for their safety.

The Sudanese authorities have reportedly opened an investigation into the death of Awad Ibrahim, who was arrested with the four men in Dongola on 19 May and was reportedly tortured to death by the security forces. However, the authorities have refused to include the allegations of Juma Omar El-Nur’s torture in the same investigation.

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

-expressing grave concern for the safety and health of Juma Omar El-Nur, who was taken into incommunicado detention by security forces on 12 July, despite being in a serious medical condition;

- urging the authorities to make public his whereabouts;

-calling for assurance that Juma Omar El-Nur will not be further tortured or ill-treated;

-urging the authorities to allow him immediate and unrestricted access to adequate medical treatment, his relatives and legal counsel;

-calling on the government to abide by its commitments under Article 9 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and either charge him with a recognizably criminal offence and give him a prompt and fair trial in accordance with international standards or set him free immediately;

- urging the authorities to open an independent, impartial investigation into the torture of Juma Omar El-Nur, to make the results public, and bring to justice anyone found to have used or ordered torture;

- welcoming the opening of an investigation into the death of Awad Ibrahim and calling on the authorities to ensure that this investigation is independent and impartial, to make the results public and to bring to justice those found to be responsible for his death.

APPEALS TO:

Mr Ali Osman Mohamed Taha

First Vice-President

People's Palace , PO Box 281

Khartoum, Sudan

Telegram: First Vice-President, Khartoum, Sudan

Fax : + 249 11 771651 / 779977

Salutation: Your Excellency

Mr Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin

Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Ministry of Justice

Khartoum, Sudan

Telegrams: Justice Minister, Khartoum, Sudan

Fax: + 249 11 771479

Salutation: Dear Minister

Dr Nafie Ali Nafie

Minister of Federal Government

Office of the Presidents People’s Palace

PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan

Telegrams: Federal Government Minister, Khartoum, Sudan

Salutation: Dear Minister

Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PO Box 873

Khartoum, Sudan

Telegrams: Foreign Minister, Khartoum, Sudan

Fax : + 249 11 779383

Salutation: Dear Minister

Mr Elhadi Bushra

Governor of Northern Sudan

C/o People's Palace

PO Box 281Khartoum, Sudan

Telegram: Governor of Northern Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan

Fax : + 249 11 771651/ 779977

Salutation: Dear Governor

COPIES TO:

Dr Yasir Sid Ahmed

Advisory Council for Human Rights

PO Box 302, Khartoum, Sudan

Fax: + 249 11 779173 / 770883

and to diplomatic representatives of Sudan accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 August 2003.