New wave of arrests of Ethiopian refugees and enforced disappearance

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Sudan.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture network, about the disappearance of four Ethiopian refugees whose whereabouts are unknown following their arrests in Khartoum earlier this month (please see exact dates below). All are reported to be at risk of persecution and torture if forcibly repatriated because of their past opposition to the Ethiopian regime.

The four individuals are:

1. Mr. Wendimagenghu Getanehe (46 years old, businessman, Christian, arrested on 5 March)
2. Mrs. Almaz Matko Kubdy (born in 1959, tea maker, Christian, arrested on 8 March)
3. Mr. Qenano Mangesti Tamani (37 years old, waiter, Christian, arrested on 8 March)
4. Mr. Dereje Ayele Mekonen (65 years old, cameraman, Christian, arrested on 9 March)

According to the information received, Mr. Wendimagenghu Getanehe and Mr. Dereje Ayele Mekonen were seized on the premises of the Commission for Refugees, part of the Interior Ministry. Mrs. Almaz Matko Kubdy and Mr. Qenano Mangesti Tamani were reportedly arrested late at night in the al-Deam area of Khartoum. Mrs. Almaz Matko Kubdy is understood to have been in very poor health at the time of her arrest. Without knowing where the four individuals are being held, family members and lawyers have been unable to seek access to visit them.

According to the same information received, Mr. Wendimagenghu Getanehe is an active member of the Ethiopian community in Sudan and has represented fellow refugees before the authorities and United Nations agencies. Mrs. Almaz Matko Kubdy was previously detained for two years in Sudan after being convicted of taking part in political activism there against the Ethiopian regime, including buying military clothing with the intention of sending it to armed groups across the border. Sources insist the allegations were false. Mr. Qenano Mangesti Tamani has also been reportedly arrested twice before in Sudan for alleged political activities.

The authorities are also reportedly understood to be searching for a 48-year-old Ethiopian refugee named Abrai Atlay.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Wendimagenghu Getanehe, Mr. Dereje Ayele Mekonen, Mrs. Almaz Matko Kubdy and Mr. Qenano Mangesti Tamani as their whereabouts remain unknown, giving rise to fears that they may be subjected to ill-treatment, torture and/or forcible deportation. OMCT has already reported on cases of Ethiopians detained in Sudan and at risk of persecution and torture if deported (see cases SDN 140108, 140108.1, 140108.2 and SDN 110208). OMCT calls on the Sudanese Government to guarantee their integrity at all times. Further, as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the African Union (AU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, Sudan is obliged not to forcibly return any individual to a country where he or she could face torture or other serious human rights violations.

Requested Action

Please write to the authorities in Sudan urging them to:

1. Immediately locate the whereabouts of Mr. Wendimagenghu Getanehe, Mr. Dereje Ayele Mekonen, Mrs. Almaz Matko Kubdy and Mr. Qenano Mangesti Tamani;
2. Guarantee, in all circumstances, their physical and psychological integrity;
3. Guarantee immediate access to their lawyers, family and any medical assistance they may require;
4. Order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges, or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial, independent, competent and fair tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
5. Respect its international obligations not to forcibly return anyone to a country where they would be at risk of serious human rights violations such as torture;
6. Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• His Excellency President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, Office of the President, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 782541
• His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice-President, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 11 779977 / 771025
• His Excellency Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, Vice-President, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 183 77 10 25
• Mr Abdel Bassit Sabdarat, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, PO Box 302, Khartoum, Sudan Fax: +249 183 780796
• Mr Deng Alor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/External Relations, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: + 249 183 77 93 83
• Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed, Minister of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Interior, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 779383
• Dr Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha, Advisory Council for Human Rights, Rapporteur, PO Box 302, Khartoum, Sudan, Fax: +249 183 77 08 83
• Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations in Geneva, Avenue Blanc 47, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Tel: +41 22 731 26 63, Fax: +41 22 731 26 56, Email: mission.sudan@bluewin.ch / mission.sudan@ties.itu.int
• The Embassy of Sudan in Brussels, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 124, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Tel.:0032 (2) 647 51 59 / 0032 (2) 647 94 94, Fax: 0032 (2) 648 34 99, Email: sudanbx@yahoo.com

Please also write to the embassies of Sudan in your respective country.

Geneva, 19 March 2008

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.