S V T G
Sudanese Victims of Torture Group

PRESS RELEASE: Thursday 8 November 2001

COMMUNITY SECURITY’S POLICE BEAT
CHILD TRADER TO DEATH

On Wednesday 7/11 the Community Security’s Police beat a 15 year old child to death. Alnour Ali Abd Allah who worked as street trader: The Community Police (formerly known as the Public Order Police) attacked petty traders, including Mr Abd Allah, between 5 and 6 pm in Alkalakla Al-lafa Local market. 9-mile southwest centre of Khartoum.
The police kicked AlNour with their boots and gun buts in the head and chest until he fell unconscious He was taken to the hospital but died before arrival.

Alkalakla Al-lafa market is a local market where hundreds of displaced women and children and other extremely limited income people come and trade to earn their living. Police frequently attacks these women and children. Their products, together with what money they may have earned, is generally confiscated by the police and the individuals are usually subsequently taken to the “Instant Courts” (formerly known as the public order courts) where they are denied legal representation, flogged and fined by the courts. Right to appeal is also denied.

SVTG would like to confirm that the police Authority have said they will investigate the incident. However our experience has shown that such investigations are rarely pursued. Over last year at least 8 students have been killed, and many more injured and some have been tortured. On no occasion was investigation completed nor any perpetrators brought to justice. Instead the lawyers and families of the victims have been subject to systematic harassment to force them to drop the cases

SVTG calls upon the Sudanese government to:

I. Carry out a full and impartial investigation into the death of Alnour Ali Abd Allah and that those responsible for death be brought to justice;
ii. Put an end to the harassment of market traders by Community Security Police;
iii. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

Addresses
His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, People’s Palace, PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan, Telex: 22385 PEPLC SD or 22411 KAID SD- Fax: +249 11 771 7 24

Mr Ali Osman Yasin, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Khartoum, Sudan. Telex:22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – Fax: +249 11 7740 63

Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PO Box 873, Khartoum, Sudan, Telex: 22459 KHRJA SD or 22461 KHRJA SD – Fax: 249 11 7740 63

SVTG is an independent non-governmental human rights organisation, for further details on this press release or any other information please contact;
The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group
Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Rd
London NW6 5LF
UK
Tel: +44 20 76258055
Email: [email protected]