AFR 54/016/2012

SUDAN

On 21 April, Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida, a 58-year old activist from the opposition party Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N), was arrested in her home by plainclothes agents of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). She is being held incommunicado and is at risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

Plainclothes agents entered the home of Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida on 21 April at around 4pm while members of her family were present. They took her away to an undisclosed location and did not provide the family with any reason for the arrest. On 24 April, her husband went to offices of the NISS, where he received confirmation that Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida was being held in their custody. However the NISS refused to disclose her location and continue to deny her access to a lawyer or her family. She is at risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida is a prominent activist from the SPLM-N. She is the former Health Minister of Sennar state and currently acts as the Secretary for Social Affairs within the SPLM-N. She is originally from Omdurman, and joined the party in 2002. Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida’s arrest took place on the same day as that of other SPLM-N activists.

Please write immediately in Arabic, English or your own language:

* Calling on the Sudanese authorities to release Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida or charge her with a recognizable criminal offence;

* Calling on the government to ensure that she is not subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment;

* Urging the authorities to grant Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida access to her family, a lawyer, and any form of medical treatment she may require.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 14 JUNE 2012 TO:

President

HE Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir

Office of the President

People’s Palace

PO Box 281

Khartoum

Sudan

Fax: +249 183 782 541

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Justice

Mohammed Bushara Dousa

Ministry of Justice,

PO Box 302

Al Nil Avenue,

Khartoum,

Sudan

Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

Minister of Interior

Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed

Ministry of Interior

PO Box 873

Khartoum,

Sudan

Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. 

SUDANS AMBASSAD

STOCKHOLMSVÄGEN 33

181 33 LIDINGÖ

FAX 08-611 77 82

E-post: sudanembassy@telia.comdor@telia.com

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) was formerly part of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement which is now in power in South Sudan. As South Sudan’s secession approached in 2011, SPLM members originating from northern Sudan split to become the SPLM-N, a Sudanese opposition party. Following the outbreak of conflict between government forces and fighters affiliated to the SPLM-N in the states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile in June and September 2011, the Sudanese government banned the SPLM-N. Activists and cadres from the party have been repeatedly detained in recent months. Some have been tortured or subjected to other forms of ill-treatment while in detention.

Name: Alawiya Osman Ismail Kubaida

Gender m/f: F