UA 216/94 - Niger: torture / fear of torture / deaths in custody: Aghali Awaiss, Moussa Oubba, Halid Daoul, two other men (names unknown) and other members of the Tuareg Community
On 17 or 18 May 1994 the five men referred to above, members of the Tuareg ethnic group, were arrested in the area north of Agadez. They are believed to have been tortured, resulting in the deaths of the two unidentified men. Other members of the Tuareg community are believed to have been arrested since then and may also be at risk of torture. These arrests appear to be linked to a resurgence since May 1994 of violent attacks by armed Tuareg groups and subsequent government retaliation.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 43/02/94
Distr: UA/SC
UA 216/94 Torture / Fear of torture / Deaths in custody 7 June 1994
NIGER Aghali Awaiss
Moussa Oubba
Halid Daoul
two other men (names unknown)
and other members of the Tuareg community
On 17 or 18 May 1994 five civilian men of the Tuareg ethnic group were arrested
in the area north of Agadez. Aghali Awaiss, Moussa Oubba, Halid Daoul and
two others, whose names are not known, are believed to have been tortured,
resulting in the deaths of the two unidentified men. Other members of the
Tuareg community are believed to have been arrested since then and may also
be at risk of torture.
These arrests and others reported in recent days seem to be connected to a
resurgence since May 1994 in violent attacks by members of armed Tuareg groups
and subsequent government retaliation. According to official sources, the
violence has led to the killing of at least 20 Tuareg. The armed Tuareg groups
claim an even greater number of deaths amongst the military.
Amnesty International respects a government's right to arrest people suspected
of acts of violence. However, in addition to its concern that those arrested
by the army or gendarmerie (para-military police force) may be tortured or
ill-treated, Amnesty International fears that some of the detainees may have
been civilians arrested because of their ethnic origin rather than because
of any evidence of their involvement in the violence.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Confrontation between armed Tuareg groups and the government has continued
over several years, most notably from May 1990 until a truce was agreed in
June 1993. There were few incidents between Tuareg rebels groups and government
forces in late 1993. However, in February 1994, the Coordination de la
résistance armée (CRA), Coordination of the Armed Resistance, the coordinating
body of several armed Tuareg movements, issued a public demand for autonomy.
This demand was not been met in the government's subsequent proposal for
increased decentralisation within a unified state. Peace talks are set for
15 June, when these conflicting positions will be discussed.
Reluctance of the government to bring to justice those responsible for the
extrajudicial execution, torture and arbitrary arrest of Tuareg remains a cause
for concern.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams, telexes and airmail letters either
in French or in your own language:
- expressing concern that two men arrested around 17 May 1994 with Aghali Awaiss,
Moussa Oubba and Halid Daoul are reported to have died under torture and that
the three men currently held at the prison in Agadez may also have been subjected
to torture;
- urging the authorities to investigate these allegations of torture and deaths
in custody and to bring to justice anyone suspected of responsibility for acts
of torture;
- seeking assurances that Aghali Awaiss, Moussa Oubba and Halid Daoul and any
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other detainees are protected from torture, and given immediate access to
lawyers, families and appropriate medical treatment;
- while recognising the government's responsibility to identify and bring to
justice those responsible for criminal acts, urging them to ensure that any
people arrested purely on account of their ethnic origin are released
immediately and unconditionally.
APPEALS TO
1) President
Son Excellence
Monsieur Mahamane Ousmane
Président de la République
La Présidence
NIAMEY, Niger
Telegrams: Président de la République, Niamey, Niger
Salutation: Monsieur le Président / Dear President
2) Minister of Justice
Monsieur Kandine Mallam Adam
Ministre de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux
Ministère de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux
Niamey, Niger
Telegrams: Ministre de la Justice, Niamey, Niger
Telexes: 5214
Salutation: Dear Minister / Monsieur le Ministre
3) Minister of the Interior
Monsieur Oumarou Ousmane
Ministre de l'Intérieur
Ministère de l'Intérieur
NIAMEY, Niger
Telegrams: Ministre de l'intérieur / Minister of the Interior
Telexes: 5214
Salutation: Dear Minister / Monsieur le Ministre
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Monsieur Abdourahmane Hama
Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et
de la Coopération
Ministère des Affaires Etrangères et
de la Coopération
BP 396 NIAMEY - Niger
and to diplomatic representatives of Niger accredited to your country
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 July 1994.