- Update info:
- 24 Aug 2012 (Suspended)
- Latest info:
- 13 Jul 2012
- Country:
- REPUBLIC OF SUDAN
- Subject:
- Ussamah Mohammed
Gender m/f: M
- Period:
- 24 Sep 2012
- Distribution date:
- 13 Jul 2012
- UA No:
- 203/2012
Sudanese youth activist Ussamah Mohammed, who criticised the government in a video published on Al Jazeera TV, has been detained incommunicado since 22 June in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, putting him at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
Ussamah Mohammed had gone with a friend on 22 June to the Khartoum neighbourhood of Burri, where protests had recently been taking place. They were carrying smartphones, taking pictures of arrests by National Security Services agents and documenting on Twitter the heavy security presence in the neighbourhood ahead of a day of planned protests. Ussamah Mohammed and his friend were both arrested shortly after 11.30am by plainclothes officers and forced into two different pickup trucks. While his friend was released after seven hours, Ussamah Mohammed is still detained. His family were informed by an NSS agent that he was in Kober prison, at the NSS section for political prisoners. Ussamah Mohammed has not had access to a lawyer and has not been brought to court. He is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Ussamah Mohammed is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Ussamah Mohammed, 32, is a web developer originally from Omdurman. The day he was arrested, he had recorded a YouTube video which was featured on the website of Al Jazeera English, in which he announced that he would take part in the protests planned for 30 June.
Ussamah Mohammed graduated from the University of Khartoum's College of Mathematics, and lives in Khartoum.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Inspired by protests throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Sudan has experienced frequent demonstrations since January 2011, calling for political change and an improvement in socio-economic conditions. In response the Sudanese authorities have frequently harassed, arrested and ill-treated peaceful protestors.
Since the latest demonstrations began, on 16 June 2012, scores of activists, bloggers and journalists have been arrested and detained in an attempt by the authorities to stifle dissent and reporting on the protest movement, in violation of the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The protest movement spread from universities in Khartoum and its neighbouring cities Omdurman and Khartoum North to residential areas of the capital as well as provincial towns, including Atbara, Dongola, El Obeid, and Port Sudan.
Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of torture and other ill-treatment of protesters by the NSS, in particular since the beginning of the recent protest movement in mid-June 2012. NSS agents have beaten detainees with their fists, hoses, plastic pipes, sticks and metal bars. The NSS also insulted detainees, deprived them of sleep and made them stand or sit for many hours in direct sunlight, in high temperatures.
UA: 203/12 Index: AFR 54/032/2012 Issue Date: 11 July 2012
- Update info:
- 24 Aug 2012 (Suspended)
- Latest info:
- 13 Jul 2012
- Country:
- REPUBLIC OF SUDAN
- Subject:
- Ussumah Mohammed
Gender m/f: Male
- Period:
- 24 Sep 2012
- Distribution date:
- 24 Aug 2012
- UA No:
- 203/2012
Sudan’s National Security Services (NSS) released Sudanese youth activist Ussamah Mohammed on 16 August, after eight weeks in detention.
Ussamah Mohammed was arrested by the NSS on 22 June in Khartoum, the capital, hours after he had criticised the government in a video published on Al Jazeera TV. After being held in the custody of the NSS, Ussamah Mohammed was transferred to Kober prison and held in the section for political prisoners. Throughout his detention, he faced no charges and was denied access to a lawyer. Amnesty International considered him a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Amnesty International has reason to believe he was subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in detention, including severe beatings to the wrist, back and face.
Ussamah Mohammed has expressed his gratitude to all the activists who campaigned for him.
Many thanks to all who sent appeals. No further action is required.
This is the first update of UA 203/12. Further information: http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR54/032/2012/en
Name: Ussumah Mohammed
Gender m/f: Male
Further information on UA: 203/12 Index: AFR 54/041/2012 Issue Date: 23 August 2012
