UA 202/91 - Seychelles: legal concern: Frank Kilindo, dockworker
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 50/01/91
Distr: UA/SC
PLEASE ORGANIZE UP TO 20 APPEALS PER SECTION
UA 202/91 Legal Concern 12 June 1991
SEYCHELLES: Frank KILINDO, dockworker
Frank Kilindo, a 28-year-old dockworker, was arrested on 17 May 1991 in Victoria,
the Seychelles capital on Mahé island. It is reported that he was arrested
on account of being found in possession of leaflets of a newly formed opposition
party, Parti Seselwa (Seychellois Party). Amnesty International is concerned
he may be a prisoner of conscience, detained for the non-violent expression
of his political views.
Frank Kilindo has been detained on an administrative detention order
under the Public Security (Detention) Regulations 1981. This provides for
detention without charge or trial for an indefinite period of anyone thought
by the authorities to be endangering public safety. He is being held at the
Grand Police Military Camp, which is a maximum security prison in Mahé. He
is being held incommunicado and has been denied access to his lawyer.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Opposition to the ruling party and calls for the establishment of multi-party
democracy have been intensifying in the Seychelles where the ruling party of
President France-Albert René, the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF),
has been the sole political party since 1978. Amnesty International has received
other reports over the past few months of people being briefly held and
questioned for distributing opposition leaflets but it appears that Frank
Kilindo is the first person to be formally detained.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes and airmail letters:
- expressing concern at the incommunicado detention of Frank Kilindo, whom
Amnesty International believes may be a prisoner of conscience detained for
the non-violent expression of his political beliefs;
- requesting the precise reasons for his arrest and information about any charges
being prepared against him;
- appealing for him to be humanely treated while in detention, and given
immediate and regular access to his legal representative and family;
- urging that he be released without delay if he is not to be charged with
a recognizably criminal offence and brought promptly to trial in accordance
with international standards of fair trial.
2
APPEALS TO: (UP TO 20 PER SECTION)
His Excellency Mr France-Albert René
President of the Republic of the Seychelles
State House
PO Box 655
Victoria
Seychelles
Telegrams: President Rene, Victoria, Seychelles
Telexes: 2217 STATE SZ
Faxes: + 248 24200
Mr James Michel
Minister of Finance and Armed Forces Chief of Staff
Ministry of Finance
State House
PO Box 313
Victoria
Seychelles
Telegrams: Minister of Finance Michel
Victoria, Seychelles
Telexes: 2363 STATE SZ
Faxes: + 248 25265
COPIES TO:
Mr Padiwalla
Attorney-General
Attorney-General's Chambers
PO Box 58
National House
24041 Seychelles
Ms Danielle de St Jorre
Minister of Planning and External Affairs
PO Box 656
Victoria
Seychelles
and to diplomatic representatives of the Seychelles in your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 24 July 1991.