Case Update

Front Line welcomes the release of Osman Hummaida from detention in the office of the National Security Service (NSS) in Northern Khartoum on 28 November 2008 at around 12.30 am. Abdelmonim Aljak and Amir Mohamed Suliman, who were arrested with Osman Hummaida and redetained several times, have not been rearrested. Despite the release of the human rights defenders from detention, Front Line condemns the torture and ill-treatment that Osman Hummaida and Abdelmonim Aljak were subjected to in the course of interrogation.

Further Information

Osman Hummaida, Amir Mohamed Suliman and Abdelmonim Aljak were arrested in Khartoum on 24 November 2008. Osman Hummaida was kept in detention until his release on 28 November 2008, during which time, reports received indicate that he was tortured by the NSS. Amir Mohamed Suliman and Abdelmonim Aljak were released on the 24 November 2008, but were called back to the NSS offices on three occasions for further interrogation during which time Abdelmonim Aljak was also subjected to severe torture. Osman Hummaida is a human rights researcher and member of OMCT Assembly of Delegates; Amir Mohamed Suliman is the Chairperson of the Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development (KCHRED); and Abedlmonim Aljak is a human rights defender.

On 27 November 2008, Osman Hummaida reported that he was tortured while in detention and had been hospitalised during the night of 26 November for high blood pressure before being sent back to the NSS offices. The British Embassy was not allowed to visit him, talk to him or provide him with medical or legal assistance.

On 26 November Amir Mohamed Suliman and Abdelmonim Aljak were summoned to the NSS offices for further questioning. The NSS put Abdelmonim Aljak in a room in view of Osman Hummaida and tortured him, allegedly using water-boarding, severe beatings with a stick on his feet, back, bottom, arms as well as kicks to his face. This was in an attempt to try and make Osman Hummaida agree to give up some documents and a lap-top. Following the torture of Abdelmonim Aljak, Amir Mohamed Suliman was placed in the same position in front of Osman Hummaida but before any physical attack Osman Hummaida agreed to provide what was requested.

Abdelmonim Aljak and Amir Mohamed Suliman were subsequently released. Amir Mohamed Suliman was taken to the hospital for treatment and is reportedly suffering quite serious damage to his head and face. After the release, they were summoned a third time to appear at the NSS offices at 11:00 am on 27 November 2008. Abdelmonim Aljak was too weak to attend the questioning. Amir Mohamed Suliman went alone to the questioning and was released by the NSS at 1:00 pm that day.