News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *

18 July 2001
AFR 19/005/2001
124/01

"Hundreds of unarmed civilians and Yakoma member of the
security forces involved or suspected of involvement in the coup
attempt have been killed or subjected to other serious human
rights violations by the state security forces. New cases of
summary executions continue to be reported," the human rights
organization said.

"Since the failed coup, many people have been killed or
arrested while returning to their place of work," the
organization said. Amnesty International has made appeals to the
authorities to ensure the safety of all those who have been
detained and at risk of ill-treatment, torture and extrajudicial
execution.

The coup attempt was allegedly led by former President,
General André Kolingba, head of state from 1981 to 1993. He is a
member of the Yakoma ethnic group and most of the victims of
human rights violations are also from the Yakoma community, which
is suspected of being involved in the coup attempt or supportive
of General Kolingba. Amnesty International is extremely concerned
by the lack of protection and security for, and the threat of
violence against, the Yakoma community.

The body of one Yakoma victim, Theophile Touba, a former
Member of Parliament and university professor, was found on 1
June 2001 in front of President Patassé's official residence. He
was arrested by members of the Presidential Guard and accused of
involvement in planning the coup attempt. His nine-year-old son
and two other relatives were murdered the previous day.

A Yakoma teacher at the University of Bangui,
Wanguia-Bickot Evrard, his 18-year-old son, Wangui-Bickot
Romaric, and his 30-year-old cousin, Kongbeya Olivier, were shot
dead by presidential guards on 6 June as they returned to
Bangui.

On 12 June, a gendarmerie captain who was director of the
Gendarmerie Training School in Kolongo and two other gendarmes,
Patrice Igawe and Zoe- Virginie Yendimon -- the latter said to
have been pregnant, were killed by presidential guards when they
returned to work. All belonged to the Yakoma ethnic group.

Sergeant Emery Konguende, a young Yakoma armed forces
officer, was on leave when the attempted coup began. He was
tortured and killed on 29 May by presidential guards, as he
returned to his unit.

Caporal Chef Alfred Kokassa, member of the Yakoma ethnic
group, was reportedly executed on 9 July, after being interogated
by the presidential guard of the government.

Eight weeks after coup attempt, the situation in Bangui
remains tense, especially in the southern Yakoma neighbourhoods
of the city and more than 90 people, mostly Yakomas, are
reportedly held in custody.

Tens of thousands of mostly Yakoma civilians fled the
city as violence escalated during and after the failed coup,
fearing reprisals from forces loyal to the government. Some
crossed the Oubangui River into the neighbouring Democratic
Republic of Congo and others remain outside Bangui. On 17 July,
the government has closed its border with the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, without giving any official reason for this
decision. Hundreds civilians, mostly from the Yakoma ethnic
group, have fled to the north of the Republic of the Congo,
(Congo Brazzaville). Most of the refugees are without basic
humanitarian assistance and are at risk of malnutrition and
exposure.

The Government has acknowledged that human rights
violations have taken place but has said that they have been
carried out by uncontrollable members of the security forces.

"The Government should issue strict orders prohibiting
further human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions.
It should ensure a strict chain of command among its forces and
immediately disband all unofficial armed groups. It should also
ensure that an independent inquiry promptly and impartially
investigate all reports of unlawful killings and other human
rights violations. Those responsible for human rights violations,
as well as those charged with involvement in the alleged coup
attempt, should be brought to justice according to international
standards for fair trial and without recourse to the death
penalty," Amnesty International added.

Amnesty International also advocates that those detained
solely on account of their ethnic identity should be immediately
released, and others detained on suspicion of using or advocating
violence should be released if they are not to be promptly
charged and fairly tried. The government should also take
immediate steps to guarantee their safety.

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