Sudan: Arbitrary Arrest of Prominent Human Rights Lawyer

SDN 001 / 9807 / OBS 048
Arrest
SUDAN
July 10th, 1998

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint
programme of the FIDH and OMCT, requests your URGENT intervention
regarding the following situation in Sudan.

Brief description of the situation :

The Observatory has just been informed by the Arab Program for Human
Rights Activists, of the presumed arbitrary arrest, on July 7th, 1998,
of Mr. Mostafa Abdel Khadir, a prominent human rights lawyer and
activist.

The Observatory recalls that, in the past, Mr. Mostafa Abdel Khadir
had been arrested and detained for long periods of time, presumably
because of his activities in favour of human rights (see reports on
Gross Violations Against Human Rights Defenders, 1996 and 1997, OMCT).

It is believed that Mr. Mostafa Abdel Khadir may have been arrested
and charged in relation to recent bomb explosions, directed against
the Sudanese regime, that have reportedly taken place in Khartoum.

The Observatory is concerned for the safety and life of Mr. Mostafa
Abdel Khadir, considering the declaration of the Sudanese authorities
in which the President stated that all those involved in these bombing
incidents will be sentenced to death.



 Actions requested :
Please write to the Sudanese authorities urging them to:

i.-	ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Mostafa
Abdel Khadir;

ii.-	order his immediate release if he is being detained without any
valid charges or, if he has been charged, ensure his right to a fair
and impartial trial and his procedural rights at all times;

iii.-	adopt the necessary measures to enable all human rights
non-governmental organisations and their members to freely pursue
their activities for the defence and promotion of human rights;

iv.-	in general, abide to the provisions of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and international covenants which guarantee the rights
to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to carry out freely
activities for the promotion and the defence of human rights.

Addresses :

His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of
the Republic of Sudan, People's Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan.
Telex : 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD - Fax : +249 11 771 724

Mr. Abdel Al Basit Sabdarat, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General,
Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan.  Telex : 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461
KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - Fax : +249 11 774 063

Mr. Mustafa Osman Mohamad Ismaif, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan.  Telex :
22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD - Fax : +249 11 774 063

Mr. Ahmed El Mufti, Solicitor General for Public Law and Rapporteur
for the Advisor Council on Human Rights, Ministry of Justice Khartoum,
Sudan

The Diplomatic Representatives of Sudan in your country.

Geneva - Paris, July 10th, 1998.

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

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.