PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 25/007/2005

04 November 2005

Further Information on UA 218/05 (MDE 25/004/2005, 23 August 2005) Fear of torture or ill-treatment/ incommunicado detention/ health concern

UNITED ARAB Humeid Salem al-Ghawas al-Za’abi (m), aged 39

EMIRATES (UAE)

Released: 'Abdullah Sultan al-Subaihat (m), aged 45

Mohammad Ahmad Saif al-Ghufli (m), aged 44

Sa'eed 'Ali Humeid al-Kutbi (m), aged 45

Amnesty International has learned that ‘Abdullah Sultan al-Subaihat, Mohammad Ahmad Saif al-Ghufli and Sa’eed ‘Ali Humeid al-Kutbi were released without charge by the authorities in Abu Dhabion 25 October. They had reportedly been held incommunicado by the Amn al-Dawla (State Security) since their arrest on 2 August. It is not known whether they were tortured or ill-treated in detention.

Humeid Salem al-Ghawas al-Za’abi, who was detained by military intelligence personnel on 17 March 2004, remains in incommunicado detention without charge or trial. His place of detention is not known and he was allowed to speak briefly on the telephone to his family on 3 November, and told them that he was in good health. The reasons for his arrest and detention are still unknown.

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

- welcoming the release of ‘Abdullah Sultan al-Subaihat, Mohammad Ahmad Saif al-Ghufli and Sa’eed ‘Ali Humeid al-Kutbi, who had been detained incommunicado for almost three months;

- expressing concern that Humeid Salem al-Ghawas al-Za’abi remains held incommunicado, without charge or trial, and without access to lawyers and relatives;

- seeking clarification of the reasons for his continuing detention;

- urging that he be released immediately and unconditionally as he has been detained without charge since 17 March 2004.

APPEALS TO:

His Excellency

Major-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Minister of the Interior

Ministry of the Interior

POB 398

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Fax: + 971 2 4414938 / 4 3981119

Salutation: Your Excellency

His Excellency

Muhammad Nukhaira Al-Dhahiri

Minister of Justice, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs

Ministry of Justice, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs

POB 753

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Fax: + 971 2 6810680 / 4 2825121

Salutation: Your Excellency

His Excellency

Rashid ‘Abdullah Al-Nu’aimi

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

POB 1,

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Fax: + 971 4 2280979

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of United Arab Emirates (UAE) accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 16 December 2005.