Sudan: Human Rights Defender on Hunger Strike
Salih Mahmoud Osman, human rights defender and member of Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT) lawyer's network in Darfur Region has started a hunger strike on 30 June 2004 at his detention in Dabak prison. Osman was arrested at his home in Wad-Madani, capital of the Central Region in Sudan, on Sunday 1 February 2004. Since his detention he has not been charged with any offence, says SOAT.
SOAT
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
SOAT Press Release: 5 July 2004
Human Rights Defender on Hunger Strike
Salih Mahmoud Osman, human rights defender and member of SOAT's lawyer's network in Darfur Region has started a hunger strike on 30 June 2004 at his detention in Dabak prison.
Salih Mahmoud Osman was arrested at his home in Wad-Madani, capital of the Central Region in Sudan, on Sunday 1 February 2004. Since his detention he was not charged with any offence. On 31 May 2004, SOAT lawyer, Amir Mohammed Suleiman, has submitted an official memorandum to the security forces requesting an immediate release of Mr. Mahmoud since there are no official charges brought against him and that the required 90 days of detention under article 32 section 2 of the 1999 National Security Act has expired.
There are serious concerns over Mr. Salih's health, he suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes and the hunger strike would further endanger his life as he was already in poor health and was suffering from Jaundice at the time of his arrest.
Mr. Salih is a well known lawyer and a writer; over the past year he provided free legal aid to hundreds of the victims of human rights abuses in Darfur and he also provide free legal representation to those who face capital punishment or severe punishments (amputation and cross amputation) in Darfur region.
SOAT demands for Mr. Salih to be released immediately or be brought to trial. Also, calls on the Government of Sudan (GoS) to put an end to the harassment and detention of it network members and all the human rights defenders in Sudan and urges the Government of Sudan to:
Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Salih Mahmoud Osman
To allow them immediate and unrestricted access to his family and any medical treatment that Mr. Salih need
Order the immediate release of Salih Mahmoud Osman in the absence of valid legal charges, or if legitimate charges exist, bring them before an impartial tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times.
Ensure that Salih Mahmoud Osman has access to legal advice
Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of association throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
The above recommendations should be sent in appeals to the following addresses:
His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan
President' s Palace
PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 783223
Mr. Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 788941
Mr. Mustafa Osman Ismail
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 779383
Dr. Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha
Advisory Council for Human Rights
PO Box 302
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 249 183 770883
His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim,
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva,
PO Box 335,
1211 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +4122 731 26 56,
E-mail: [email protected].
SOAT is international human rights organisation established in the UK in 1993. If you have any questions about this or any other SOAT information, please contact us:
SOAT
Argo House
Kilburn Park Road
London NW6 5LF, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7625 8055
Fax: +44 (0)20 7372 2656
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.soatsudan.org
END.