Urgent Action - SYRIA

SYRIAN ACTIVIST HELD INCOMMUNICADO (Online petition or Here on Facebook)

Syrian civil society activist Amjad Baiazy has been held incommunicado since his arrest at Syria’s Damascus International Airport on 12 May. Amnesty International believes that he may be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. He is at serious risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Amjad Baiazy, a Syrian citizen, was arrested while about to board a flight to the United Kingdom, where he formerly studied and was planning to reside. His family in Syria have had no contact with him since his arrest but it appears that he is being detained by State Security, a branch of the Syrian security police, in Damascus.

The authorities have disclosed no reason for his arrest, as far as Amnesty International is aware, and no charges are known to have been brought against him. Amjad Baiazy’s arrest and detention is probably linked to the current violent government clampdown on public protests which has seen hundreds of people killed by the security forces since mid-March. The authorities have carried out mass arrests of real and suspected opponents, protestors and dissidents, hundreds of whom remain detained incommunicado and have been subjected to enforced disappearances. Many have reported torture and other ill-treatment after their release, heightening concerns for Amjad Baiazy’s safety. Amjad Baiazy’s civil society activities included working with Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) in 2007 and acting as an international observer and interpreter for the International Mission for Iraqi Elections (IMIE) in 2005 for elections to Iraq’s Council of Representatives.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English, French or your own language:
* Expressing concern at the arrest and incommunicado detention of Amjad Baiazy and urging his immediate and unconditional release if he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression or other human rights;
* Asking for confirmation of his place of detention, the reason for his arrest and his legal status, and calling for him to be fully protected against torture or other ill-treatment;
* Urging the Syrian authorities to take immediate steps to name and disclose the whereabouts of all political detainees and to give them immediate access to lawyers of their choosing and their families and any medical treatment they need, and to safeguard them from torture and other ill-treatment.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 JULY 2011 TO:
President Bashar al-Assad
Presidential Palace al-Rashid Street Damascus,
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 332 3410
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Interior Major General Mohamed Ibrahim al-Sha’aar
Ministry of Interior ‘
Abd al-Rahman Shahbandar Street
Damascus,
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 222 3428 Salutation:
Your Excellency

And copies to:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid al-Mu’allim
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
al-Rashid Street Damascus,
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 214 6251
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to:
His Excellency Mr Tammam Sulaiman
Ambassador Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Canberra
41 Culgoa Circuit,
O’Malley,
Canberra,
ACT 2606,
Australia
Fax: +61 2 6218 5250
Email: syrianembassyau@bigpond.com
Website: http://bit.ly/jVuKx8 Salutation:
Your Excellency

Please check with your Urgent Action Team if sending appeals after the above date.

Urgent Action Update - OMAN

Nine people among 15 that were arrested while holding a peaceful protest in
Muscat, the capital of Oman, have been released. Six are still believed to
be detained. Their whereabouts are unknown. They are believed to be held
incommunicado and are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

The 15 individuals were among a larger group of people who held a peaceful
protest in People’s Square in front of the Shura Council, in Muscat, on 14
May. Omani security forces are reported to have surrounded the area where
the protesters were assembled. The security forces closed the roads and
ordered the demonstrators to disperse within 10 minutes; some did so, but
others refused to disperse and were then arrested.

Prominent female lawyer Basma al-Kiyumi, the only woman who was among those
arrested, was released on 16 May. She was charged in connection with
participating in an unlawful gathering and released on bail to await trial
at a future date. On 17 May, some eight other activists were released, among
them Muhammad al-Habssi and Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri. It is not known where
the remaining six – including Nabhan al-Hanashi – are being detained or if
any charges have been brought against them.

The protesters were calling for the release of other people who were
arrested while carrying out protests on 12 May in Muscat and in the cities
of Salalah and Sur.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English or your own language:
* Urging the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the remaining six
arrested in connection with recent protests and to ensure that they are
protected from torture or other ill-treatment and given immediate access
to their families, lawyers and any medical attention they need;
* Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those still
detained if they are being held solely for peacefully exercising their
right to freedom of expression and assembly;
* Asking for details of any charges they face to be made public and
calling on the authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings against
them conform to international fair trial standards;
* Calling on the authorities to make public the names of all those
arrested recently and to uphold and protect the right to peaceful
protest.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 1 JULY 2011 TO:

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id
Head of State, Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Finance Minister
Diwan of the Royal Court
The Palace
Muscat 113
Sultanate of Oman
Fax: +968 24 735 375
Salutation: Your Majesty

His Excellency Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal bin Said Al Busaidi
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of Interior
PO Box 127
Ruwi 112
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Salutation: Your Excellency


And copies to:
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyami
Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
P.O.Box 29, Postal Code: 103
Bareq A' Shati
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Fax: +968 24648801
Email:[3] enquiry@nhrc.om
Salutation: Dear Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyami


Ms Valerie Farmer,
Honorary Consul
Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman
PO Box 28-167,
Auckland 1541
Fax: +64 (0)9 522 4486
Email:[4] v.farmer@xtra.co.nz


Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above
date. This is the first update of UA 142/11. Further information:
http://bit.ly/j2GSlF

Urgent Action - OMAN

DETAINED PROTESTERS AT RISK IN OMAN

On 14 May, 15 people were arrested while holding a peaceful protest in
Muscat, the capital of Oman. Fourteen continue to be detained, including
Muhammad al-Habssi and Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri, both activists. The
whereabouts of their detention is unknown. They are believed to be held
incommunicado and are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

The 15 individuals were among a larger group of people who held a peaceful
protest in People’s Square in front of the Shura Council, in Muscat, on
Saturday, 14 May. Omani security forces are reported to have surrounded the
area where the protesters were assembled. The security forces closed the
roads and ordered the demonstrators to disperse within 10 minutes; some did
so, but others refused to disperse and were then arrested.

Among those still detained are Muhammad al-Habssi, Nabhan al-Hanashi, and
Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri.

Prominent female lawyer Basma al-Kiyumi, the only woman who was among those arrested, was released on 16 May; she was charged in connection with participating in an unlawful gathering and released on bail to await trial at future date.

According to this report she has been released.

The protesters were calling for the release of other people who were arrested while carrying out protests on Thursday 12 May in Muscat and in the cities of Salalah and Sur.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Arabic or your own language:

* Urging the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of Muhammad
al-Habssi, Nabhan al-Hanashi, Ibrahim Sa’id al-Hajri and others arrested
in connection with recent protests and to ensure that they are protected
from torture or other ill-treatment and given immediate access to their
families, lawyers and any medical attention they need;
* Calling for their immediate and unconditional release if they are being
held solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of
expression and assembly;
* Asking for details of any charges they face to be made public and
calling on the authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings against
them conform to international fair trial standards;
* Calling on the authorities to make public the names of all those
arrested recently and to uphold and protect the right to peaceful
protest.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 28 June 2011 TO:

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id
Head of State, Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Finance Minister
Diwan of the Royal Court
The Palace
Muscat 113
Sultanate of Oman
Fax: +968 24 735 375
Salutation: Your Majesty

His Excellency Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal bin Said Al Busaidi
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of Interior
PO Box 127
Ruwi 112
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:
Mr Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyami
Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
P.O.Box 29, Postal Code: 103
Bareq A' Shati
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Fax: +968 24648801
Email: enquiry@nhrc.om
Salutation: Dear Mr Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Riyam

Also send copies to:
Ms Valerie Farmer,
Honorary Consul
Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman
Postal Address: PO Box 28-167, Auckland 1541
Fax: +64 (0)9 522 4486
Email: v.farmer@xtra.co.nz

Check with your Urgent Action Team if sending appeals after the above date.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Omani security forces appear to have used excessive force against peaceful
and other protestors on a number of occasions since protestors calling for
political and other reform took to the streets earlier this year. At least
three protesters have been killed and dozens have been injured as a result
of the security forces firing of weapons at demonstrations. Many others have
been arrested for involvement in protests.

Following protests on 27 February, Oman’s head of state Sultan Qaboos
ordered the creation of 50,000 jobs and 150 Omani riyals a month
(approximately US$390) in benefits for the unemployed in response to
protesters’ demands. On 7 March, Sultan Qaboos made a wide-ranging reshuffle
and restructuring of the cabinet, sacking a number of ministers.

However, protesters have continued intermittently to call for the sacking of
other ministers, including the Minister of Information. They have also
called for several current and former ministers, such as the former Minister
of the Royal Office, to be held to account for offences they are alleged to
have committed while in office. In addition, they are voicing the need for
greater freedom of the press and for the reforms that Sultan Qaboos ordered
in February and March to be implemented.

The Omani authorities continue to maintain strict restrictions on freedom of
expression and assembly. Several bloggers and journalists have been targeted
in recent years for after criticizing the government, including some who
have been detained.

Urgebt Action: Sudan

HEALTH CONCERNS FOR SUDANESE DETAINEE






Almost all of the protestors arrested at the end of January during demonstrations in Khartoum have now been released. Only one individual, Adil Ibrahim Karar, remains in detention. He is severely asthmatic and has back problems. From 30 January to 21 March, there was a wave of demonstrations in Khartoum, Omdurman and surrounding cities and towns in northern Sudan. Over 70 people were arrested, and while many detainees were released within hours, several dozen people were detained in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Bahri office compound in North Khartoum for weeks, where they were reportedly subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment by the NISS. Adil Ibrahim Karar is the only activist who is still known to be detained.

On 31 January, Adil Ibrahim Karar, aged 56, was arrested by the NISS from a bookshop in Omdurman, suspected of intention to participate in the demonstrations. He has not been charged with any recognizable criminal offence and is being held by the NISS in an unknown location in Khartoum. Adil Ibrahim Karar suffers from asthma and back problems. He has reportedly been refused medical treatment and access to pain medication. He is at risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment. The family of Adil Ibrahim Karar has been appealing to the Sudanese authorities for his release, but has not to date received any indication that he would be charged or released.

On 27 April, Adil Ibrahim Karar’s wife and their two children, aged 13 and 18, were also arrested by the NISS and held for interrogation for nine hours before being released. Since then, they have been subjected to threats and harassment from the police and their family house was reportedly searched twice.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English or your own language:
* Calling on the authorities to grant Adil Ibrahim Karar immediate access to his family, lawyers and to any medical treatment he might require; * Calling on the authorities to release Adil Ibrahim Karar or charge him with recognizably criminal offences; * Calling on the authorities to promptly and effectively investigate all allegations of torture and other serious human rights violations; * Calling on the authorities to ensure the safety of Adil Ibrahim Karar’s wife and their two children, in accordance with their wishes, and protect them from any intimidation; * Calling on the Sudanese government to immediately stop the harassment and intimidation of human rights activists in Sudan and to respect their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly;

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 24 JUNE 2011 TO: Minister of Justice Mr Mohammed Bushara Dousa Ministry of Justice, PO Box 302 Al Nil Avenue Khartoum, Sudan Fax: +249 183 764 168 Salutation: Your Excellency Minister of Interior Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed Ministry of Interior PO Box 873 Khartoum, Sudan Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

President HE Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir Office of the President People’s Palace PO Box 281 Khartoum, Sudan Fax: +249 183 770 621 There is no Sudanese diplomatic representative accredited to NZ. Please check with the Urgent Action Team if sending appeals after the above date. This is the third update of UA 18/11

Further information: http://bit.ly/fcICP1, http://bit.ly/mtbrVDn, http://bit.ly/hiztoS

Urgebt Action - Sudan

FIVE SUDANESE ACTIVISTS DETAINED.

On 20 April around 100 people were arrested following demonstrations at Nyala University, Nyala, capital of South Darfur state in Sudan. Five of those arrested remain in custody. One of them is suffering from an acute stomach ulcer. All are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. The five who remain in detention are all students, following protests that took place on 20 April at Nyala University. Habieb Yahya Abdellah, Abdelraziq Mohamed Omar, Saeed Adam Abdelrahim Abdellah, Mohamed Abdalla (also known as Mohamed Ali Clay), are being detained at the Korea prison in the south of Nyala. Shakir Abdelrahman Adam was transferred to the South Darfur military headquarters in Nyala, by the National Intelligence and Security Services. Shakir Abdelrahman Adam has an acute stomach ulcer, and was suffering from ill-health prior to his arrest. He was reportedly tortured in custody. The authorities have failed to provide family members or lawyers with access to the five detainees. The student activists remain at risk of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. On 20 April, students and activists took part in demonstrations at Nyala University. Security forces surrounded the university and arrested 100 people; 55 people were swiftly released with a further 40 people being released afterwards. The students and activists were demonstrating against the poor living conditions and insecurity in Darfur as well as for accountability for human rights violations committed in Darfur. Similar protests took place in other places in Sudan including Zalingei, in West Darfur, Wad Medani in east-central Sudan, and Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where there are large numbers of Darfuri residents. Arrests have been reported during most of the protests, and people in Zalingei, West Darfur, were taken to hospital after allegedly being injured by the police.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English or your own language:

• Call on the authorities to immediately ensure that Habieb Yahya Abdellah, Abdelraziq Mohamed Omar, Saeed Adam Abdelrahim Abdellah, Mohamed Abdalla (also known as Mohamed Ali Clay), and Shakir Abdelrahman Adam, have access to their families, lawyers, and any medical treatment they might require;
• Call on the authorities to ensure that the five persons detained are not tortured or otherwise ill treated and that they are either charged with a recognizable criminal offense or released;
• Call on the Sudanese government to immediately stop the harassment and intimidation of activists in Sudan and to respect their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 14 MAY 2011 TO:

Minister of Justice
Mr Mohammed Bushara Dousa Ministry of Justice,
PO Box 302 Al Nil Avenue Khartoum,
Sudan
Salutation: Your Excellency

Fax: +249 183 764 168 Governor of South Darfur
Mr Abdulhameed Musa Kasha Wali,
South Darfur State Nyala,
South Darfur
Fax: +249 731 842 696

And copies to:
Minister of Interior Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed
Ministry of Interior PO Box 873 Khartoum, Sudan

There are no diplomatic representatives accredited to New Zealand. Please check with your Urgent Action team if sending appeals after the above date.

FIVE SUDANESE ACTIVISTS DETAINED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Protests in Sudan that started at the end of January have carried on through February, March and into April. The wave of protests that started off in Tunisia and Egypt appear to have inspired people in Sudan to voice their discontent at their government, as well as on issues such as unemployment and increases in food prices. The protests were often student led. The practice of arbitrary arrest and detention of Darfuris by law enforcement agencies such as the National Intelligence and Security Service has been rife in Darfur. Amnesty International has documented cases of prolonged detention without trial of Darfuris. Detainees have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and unfair trials. According to UN estimates, around 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.7 million displaced since 2003 as a result of the Darfur conflict. The conflict has been marked by large-scale violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Wellington Annual Meeting

The Annual AIANZ Meeting is on Saturday 28th May at Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington.


All AIANZ members are invited to join us to celebrate our 50th anniversary, as well as hear about our past year’s performance, our plans and budget underway in the current year, and vote for members of the Governance Team (GT) and on any resolutions received.