June 27
SUDAN:
Darfur - Final Appeals against Death Sentence - Altayib Ali Ahmed
SOAT
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
Human Rights Alert: 27 June 2005
SOAT has been informed of the imminent execution of Altayib Ali Ahmed, (32
yrs) from the Fur tribe. According to reliable information inside Kober
Prison, Khartoum Mr. Altayib, police officer is scheduled to be executed
today (27 July 2005) at 14.30hrs. Mr. Altayib was arrested on suspicion of
joining and working with the rebel opposition in the commission of the
rebel attack on Al Fashir airport in Darfur in April 2003. Mr. Altayib was
sentenced to death on 26 January 2004 and transferred from Darfur to Kober
prison in Khartoum on 28-29 January 2004 to await execution.
Mr. Altayib was initially charged under articles 168 (armed robbery), 50
(Undermining the Constitutional System), 51(Waging War against the State),
182 (Manufacturing an Instrument for a Criminal Purpose), 65(Criminal and
Terrorist Organisations), and 62 (Inciting Feelings of Unrest among
Regular Forces and Abetment of Disturbing Order) of the 1991 Criminal Act.
In May 2004, following the proclamation of Amnesty by President Omer al
Bashir, SOAT lawyers in Al Fashir submitted an application to the General
Prosecutor requesting an amnesty for Mr. Altayib. The application led to
the charge under article 168 being dropped from the list of charges.
SOAT is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty and strongly condemns
its use by the Government of Sudan. SOAT is gravely concerned by the
imminent execution of Altayib Ali Ahmed and by the procedures of the
Special Courts, before which he was convicted. These courts fall far short
of international standards of fair trials and do not provide for due
process.
SOAT strongly urges the Government of Sudan to:
i) Abolish the death penalty in Sudan
ii) Ensure Mr. Altayib and all detainees in Sudan have access to legal
appeal in accordance with international human rights standards
iii) Guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
throughout Sudan in accordance with national laws and international human
rights standards
SOAT is an 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:
Argo House
Kilburn Park Road
London NW6 5LF, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7625 8055
Fax: +44 (0)20 7372 2656
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.soatsudan.org
