SOAT: Arrest and Torture of a Journalist,
05/07/2003
A number of security personal, from the National Security Agency, have arbitrary
arrested Yousif Al Bashier Mousa, 35 years old, a reporter for the Al Sahafa
daily newspaper in Nyala, resident in Khartoum Bilayil ( Khartoum at
night) neighbourhood , Nyala. Yousef is disabled with his left leg is amputated.
His arrest took place on Saturday, 3rd May 2003 by 3 from Nyala stadium
by 3 security officers,
their names:
Ahmed Mousa
Usama
Walied
He was taken to the National Security Offices north of the Nyala industrial
park. He was detained in cell, measuring 2m* 1m. The cell had little ventilation
and he was sleeping on the concrete. He was provided with only 2 meals over
the period of four days and was deprived from going to the toilet during his
detention.
He was taken every night at 10pm for interogration. He was interrogated
at gunpoint and threatened with rape and damage to his able-bodied leg. He
was repeatedly beaten and punched on his face and abdominal area; they also
used sticks to beat at the sole of his feet and shoulders.
One officer allegedly involved in the torture named Abd Al Moniem Tayfour
and one other person dressed in a military uniform.
On 6th May, he was allowed to received medical treatment, Dr Abd Al Rahman
Ahmed Hassan conducted this. The medical report confirmed that Yousif was
tortured. His Lawyer Mossa’ed Mohamed Ali pledged an appeal for Yousif to
be charged or released immediately.
Yousif was interrogated about his activities and information he sent
to Al Sahafa newspaper.
Background
Despite the formal ending of press censorship in Sudan in December 2002,
official pressure and restrictions on the media has continued. The government
has censored independent newspapers more than a dozen times over the past
year. The authorities have drawn what has been termed a ‘red line’ to newspapers
about the following issues:
The peace process Abduction of women and children Arrests and releases of
political activities or human rights defenders Any information or news about
the security forces Any news or information about the Popular National Congress
and its leader, Hassan Al Turabi And recently any information or news on Darfour
current confilict
In addition to these issues, restrictions have also been brought to bear
on newspapers for their handling of the October student demonstrations, and
of sexual health issues, notably female circumcision.
SOAT condemns the continuing restrictions on freedom of expression in Sudan
and urges the Government to:
i) Cease the imposition of suspensions, pre-printing and post-printing
censorship on newspapers, and allow full freedom of expression in accordance
with international human rights standards.
ii) Allow proper research, discussion and dissemination
of information on issues related to press freedom
iii) Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental
freedoms 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: + 24911 783223
Mr Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 24911 788941
Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan
Fax: + 24911 779383
Dr Yasir Sid Ahmed
Advisory Council for Human Rights
PO Box 302
Khartoum, Sudan
Sudan
Fax: + 24911 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: mission.sudan@ties.itu.int.
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
The Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Road
London NW6 5LF
Tel: 020 7625 8055
Fax: 020 7372 2656
E-mail: soatsudan@btclick.com
Website: www.soatsudan.org