UA 332/92 - Tunisia: incommunicado detention / fear of torture: Abderrazak Hamzaoui
AI is concerned about a Tunisian student who has been in incommunicado detention since his arrest on 19 October 1992. Abderrazak Hamzaoui, a student in computer programming at the University of Tunis, was arrested in the Ben Arous district of Tunis, near the hostel where he was staying. His brother had been arrested on 16 September, charged with supporting the illegal Islamic party Hizb al-Nahda. The arrest of Abderrazak Hamzaoui is thought to be related to the repression of suspected supporters of al- Nahda. AI is concerned about his health, as he reportedly suffered osteomyeletis as a child, leaving him with weakened bones in his left leg.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: MDE 30/25/92
Distr: UA/SC
UA 332/92 Incommunicado Detention/Fear of Torture 23 October 1992
TUNISIA: Abderrazak HAMZAOUI, student
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of a Tunisian student who
is being held in incommunicado detention. Abderrazak Hamzaoui has not been
seen since his arrest on 19 September 1992 and the organization fears he is
at risk of torture.
Abderrazak Hamzaoui is a second year student in computer programming at the
University of Tunis. He was arrested on 19 September 1992 in the Ben Arous
district of Tunis near the hostel where he was staying. His brother, Mongi
Hamzaoui, a milk salesman, who was arrested on 16 September 1992, has been
charged with supporting the illegal Islamic party Hizb al-Nahda. The arrest
of Abderrazak Hamzaoui is also thought to be related to government repression
of suspected supporters of al-Nahda. According to reports, Abderrazak Hamzaoui
was taken to the police station in Kasserine near his home but later transferred
to the Ministry of the Interior where he is still apparently held. There are
also reports that he has suffered ill-treatment in detention.
Members of the family went to the Kasserine Police Station and the Ministry
of the Interior on many occasions; on one occasion an official informed them
that Abderrazak Hamzaoui's file was at the Ministry but no information was
given as to his whereabouts. Amnesty International is concerned that
Abderrazak Hamzaoui has had no access to his family or legal counsel since
his arrest on 19 September 1992 and may be at risk of torture. Amnesty
International is also concerned for his health as Abderrazak Hamzaoui is said
to have suffered osteomyelitis as a child, leaving him with weakened bones
in his left leg.
Amnesty International raised the case of Abderrazak Hamzaoui with the Tunisian
Ministry of the Interior on 9 October 1992, but no information on his whereabouts
has yet been received.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Over 9,000 supporters of Hizb al-Nahda have been arrested and detained over
the last two years. Many of these have been held in prolonged incommunicado
detention. Arrest dates have been systematically falsified in order to make
it appear that the 10-day maximum limit of garde à vue detention laid down
by Tunisian law is being adhered to. Hundreds have been tortured, many
reportedly while being held in incommunicado detention within the Ministry
of the Interior on Habib Bourguiba Avenue.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters either in Arabic, French, English or in your own language:
- expressing concern that Abderrazak Hamzaoui is being held in incommunicado
detention for longer than the 10-day maximum limit;
- urging that his family be allowed immediate access to him and that he receives
all necessary medical care;
- urging that Abderrazak Hamzaoui be immediately released unless he is charged
with a recognizable offence;
page 2 of UA 332/92...
- urging the Tunisian authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure
that no-one is detained in prolonged garde à vue detention, as this is the
time when detainees are more at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
APPEALS TO:
1. Ministre de l'Intérieur
M. Abdallah Kallel
Ministère de l'Intérieur
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
Tunis, Tunisie
Telegrams: Ministre Interieur, Tunis, Tunisia
Telexes: 13662 sdap tn
Salutation: Excellence
2. Ministre de la Justice
M. Sadok Chaabane
Ministère de la Justice
Boulevard Bab Benat
Tunis, Tunisie
Telegrams: Ministre Justice, Tunis, Tunisia
Faxes: 216 1 568 106
Salutation: Excellence
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
M. Iadh Ouederni
Conseiller Présidentiel chargé des droits de l'homme
Palais Présidentiel
Carthage/Tunis
Tunisie
Fax: 216 1 731 009
PLEASE ALSO SEND COPIES OF SOME OF YOUR APPEALS, FOR INFORMATION, TO:
Human Rights Organization
Comité supérieur pour les droits
de l'homme et les libertés fondamentales
44 rue de Pologne
Bab Saadoun
Tunis
Tunisie
Fax: 216 1 574638
and to diplomatic representatives of Tunisia accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section Office, if sending appeals after 4 December 1992.