DjiboutiInhuman Conditions at Gabode Prison

  Case DJI 290499

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT 
intervention in the following situation in Djibouti.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed of the serious 
concerns for the physical and psychological integrity of a number of 
prisoners in the Gabode Prison, Djibouti.

According to the Association pour les Victimes de la Repression en Exil
(AVRE) , a member of the OMCT network, the conditions of Gabode Prison are
such that they present a serious risk to the health of many of the
prisoners.

According to the information food is extremely scarce, water is 
insufficient and there is no electricity. Cells are extremely cramped - 
reportedly 2 metres by 2 metres. Although some inmates have serious 
medical conditions visits are limited to visit from a Doctor twice a month. 
Moreover, it is alleged that they those in need are being denied transfer 
to a hospital.

It is alleged that an inmate, Mr. Abdi Houfanen Liban died on 12 March 
1999 as a result of inadequate medical attention compounded by the 
conditions of the prison.

Among the prisoners with medical conditions the International 
Secretariat has concerns that given the conditions of their detention and 
the absence of proper medical facilities the following persons risk further 
deterioration

MohamedDaoud Chehem risks blindness. 
KamilMohamedAhmed suffers from facialparalysis. 
HaissamaIdriss Hamid has injuries caused by gun wounds. 
Ali Ahaw Houmed has injuries caused by gun wounds and tuberculosis.
FarahAli Rirache has pneumonia. 
RoblehFarah Arreh has malaria. 
AdenHassan Houmed has gun shot wounds and a paralysed right arm. 
DaoudAhmed Ali hasgun shot wounds and partial paralysis. 
AboubakerMohamed Ayoub has gun shot wounds. 
HousseinAli Mohamed Ayoub has gun shot wounds. 
ArabIbrahim Amin and Abdi Moumin Aden have general medical complaints.

In addition to the serious health risks faced by all prisoners, there are 
concerns for two other prisonersMr. Mohamed Kadami and Mr. Saleh 
Mohamed Dini .  Mr. Kadami was arrested on 26th September 1997 in 
Addis Abeba and later transferred to Djibouti.  Mr. Kadami is being held 
apparently without charges.  Mr. Dini, aged 60, tribal headman (Okal 
Général) and the highest authority of all traditional headmen of the tribes 
of the region of Mabla was arrested on 10th  April 1999.  The reasons 
behind his arrest are apparently his refusal to support the then 
presidential candidate (who later won the Presidential elections) Ismael 
Omar Guelleh, as well as his denunciation of  abuses against the civilian 
population of the region of Mabla.  It is believed that his arrest was 
designed to spread fear among the tribal population of the region.  He is 
currently detained in Gabode prison.

Given the circumstances of the detention, there are risks to their health.

It  has been further reported that political and common prisoners have 
started a hunger strike to protest the conditions at the prison.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities of Djibouti urging them to

i.  take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and 
    psychological integrity of Mr. Mohamed Kadami and all the 
    persons held in detention in the Gabode prison, including 
    immediate and free access to appropriate health care, adequate 
    and appropriate food as well as electricity and water;

ii. order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal 
    charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial 
    and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights in 
    all times;

  iii.carry out a full and impartial investigation into the alleged 
    events, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial 
    and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions 
    provided by law;

iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental 
    freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national 
    laws and international human rights standards. 

Addresses

  Son Excellence Monsieur Ismael Omar Guelleh, President de la 
Republique, La Presidence BP 6
Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti, Fax+ 253 350174					

Ministre de la Justice, Ministere de la Justice, BP 12, Djibouti, 
Republique de Djibouti
Fax+ 253 355420

Geneva, April 29 1999

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.