Djibouti Follow up: Hunger Strike Ends, Apalling conditions continue

                         Case DJI 290499.1
                     FOLLOW-UP Case DJI 290499
                                  
Geneva, 21 May 1999

The International Secretariat of OMCT has received new information on 
the following situation in Djibouti.

Brief reminder of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT was informed of serious concerns 
for the physical and psychological integrity of a number of prisoners in 
the Gabode Prison, Djibouti.  Some of them were on hunger strike to 
protest the conditions at the prison (see Appeal Case DJI 290499).

According to the Association pour les Victimes de la Répression en 
Exil (AVRE) , a member of the OMCT network, the conditions of Gabode 
Prison were such that they presented a serious risk to the health of many 
of the prisoners.

According to the information food was extremely scarce, water 
insufficient and there was no electricity.  Although some inmates had 
serious medical conditions visits were limited to visit from a Doctor twice 
a month. Moreover, it was alleged that those in need were being denied 
transfer to a hospital.

Among the prisoners with medical conditions the International 
Secretariat had concerns that given the conditions of their detention and 
the absence of proper medical facilities 12 persons could risk further 
deterioration.  The 12 persons were

1. Mohamed Daoud Chehem risked blindness. 
2. KamilMohamed Ahmed suffered from facial paralysis. 
3. Haissama Idriss Hamid had injuries caused by gun wounds. 
4. Ali Ahaw Houmed had injuries caused by gun wounds and 
tuberculosis.
5. Farah Ali Rirache had pneumonia. 
6. Robleh Farah Arreh had malaria. 
7. Aden Hassan Houmed had gun shot wounds and a paralyzed right 
arm. 
8. Daoud Ahmed Ali had gun shot wounds and partial paralysis. 
9. Aboubaker Mohamed Ayoub had gun shot wounds. 
10. Houssein Ali Mohamed Ayoub had gun shot wounds. 
11. Arab Ibrahim Amin and Abdi Moumin Aden had general medical 
complaints.

In addition to the serious health risks faced by all prisoners, there were 
concerns for two other prisonersMr. Mohamed Kadami and Mr. Saleh 
Mohamed Dini.

New Information

The International Secretariat of OMCT has just been informed by a 
reliable source that the hunger strike ended up.  Mr. Saleh Mohamed Dini 
has been released and Mr. Mohamed Kadami and Mr. Houssein Ali 
Mohamed are in better health. 

However, the reports state that conditions at the Gabode prison have not 
improved.  Food remains insufficient and poor and the authorities 
continue to deny access to proper medical care to those prisoers.

Up-dated  information on the medical conditions of the ill-prisoners is as 
follows

1. Kamil Mohamed Ahmedstill needs .  He has never had a neurological 
consultation .  
2. Haissama Idriss Hamidshould be transfered to a hospital because he 
has not been properly treated for his wounds.
3. Ali Ahaw Houmed's health continues to deteriorate  and he shares a 
cell with people suffering from tuberculosis.   His health is poor and his 
illness is undiagnosed.  
4. Farah Ali Rirache's health is declining . 
5. Robleh Farah Aden remains in poor health.
6. Aden Hassan Houmed called Eder still requires an operation. 
7. Daoud Ahmed Ali, called Amhara still requires medical care.
8. Abubaker Mohamed Ayoub's health has improved following the end 
of the hunger strike.
9. Arab Ibrahim Aminstill requires medical care.
10. Abdi Moumin Adenno further information.

 According to the reports, Mohamed Daoud Chehem has been receiving 
treatment but he has already lost some of his vision.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities of Djibouti urging them to

i.  take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and 
    psychological integrity of  all the persons held in detention in 
    the Gabode prison, including immediate and free access to 
    appropriate health care, adequate and appropriate food as well 
    as electricity and water;

ii. order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal 
    charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial 
    and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights in 
    all times;

  iii.carry out a full and impartial investigation into the alleged 
    events, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial 
    and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions 
    provided by law;

iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental 
    freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national 
    laws and international human rights standards. 

Addresses

  Son Excellence Monsieur Ismael Omar Guelleh, President de la 
Republique, La Presidence BP 6
Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti, Fax+ 253 350174					

Ministre de la Justice, Ministere de la Justice, BP 12, Djibouti, 
Republique de Djibouti
Fax+ 253 355420

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.