Stop mistreatment of Caprivi trialists -- Open letter to President Dr Sam Nujoma
MAY I introduce myself as a member of Amnesty International. Amnesty International, an independent human rights organisation, works for the worldwide release of Prisoners of Conscience and for the prompt and fair trials of political prisoners.
That includes persons who were arrested only because of their
political or religious convictions or on account of their ethnic
origin or sex on condition that these persons did not resort to
violence or advocate the use of force.
Amnesty is also opposed to torture, disappearances and
extra-judicial executions and seeks to have the death penalty
abolished.
The reason why I write, is to express concern at the forced
return of eight Namibian men (Manepelo Manuel Makendano, Progress
Dikava Munuma, Alex Sinjabata Mushakwa, Samulandela Shine
Samulandela, Diamond Salufu Samunzala, Vincent Liswaniso Siliye,
Vincent Salishando Sinasi and Mosweu Mathew Tembwe) from Botswana
in violation of Botswana's policy as well as international refugee
law that prohibits the forced return of asylum seekers to a country
where they may be at risk of human rights violations.
Seven of the men have now been charged with treason and join the
121 defendants (12 other defendants have died while in custody) in
the Caprivi treason trial.
I would like to state that Amnesty International's research
indicates that, in the case of the Caprivi defendants, there were
concerns regarding the;
1. violation of their pre-trial rights that include:
2. incommunicado detention
3. their alleged torture and ill-treatment
4. denial of access to lawyers, their families and medical care as
well as
5. being forced to sign confessions under torture.
Amnesty International is therefore concerned that the
defendant's rights to a fair hearing may be seriously
undermined.
Furthermore, I would like to point out that the Namibian
authorities have a responsibility to ensure respect for
international standards of fairness and independence in the
administration of justice and to end torture in Namibia.
I would like to refer to the ICCPR, CAT and the ACHPR, which
Namibia has ratified and has an obligation to respect.
Amnesty International believes that many of the defendants who
remain in custody are prisoners of conscience and calls for their
immediate and unconditional release and [for the Government] to
ensure that the remaining defendants are brought to trial promptly
and fairly.
Finally, I would like to urge the Namibian authorities to
establish an independent and impartial inquiry into the treatment
of prisoners in custody with a view to recommending improvements to
prison conditions, compatible with international standards.
Daniela Baek
Wolkersdorf, Austria
Amnesty is also opposed to torture, disappearances and
extra-judicial executions and seeks to have the death penalty
abolished. The reason why I write, is to express concern at the
forced return of eight Namibian men (Manepelo Manuel Makendano,
Progress Dikava Munuma, Alex Sinjabata Mushakwa, Samulandela Shine
Samulandela, Diamond Salufu Samunzala, Vincent Liswaniso Siliye,
Vincent Salishando Sinasi and Mosweu Mathew Tembwe) from Botswana
in violation of Botswana's policy as well as international refugee
law that prohibits the forced return of asylum seekers to a country
where they may be at risk of human rights violations. Seven of the
men have now been charged with treason and join the 121 defendants
(12 other defendants have died while in custody) in the Caprivi
treason trial. I would like to state that Amnesty International's
research indicates that, in the case of the Caprivi defendants,
there were concerns regarding the;1. violation of their pre-trial
rights that include:
2. incommunicado detention
3. their alleged torture and ill-treatment
4. denial of access to lawyers, their families and medical care as
well as
5. being forced to sign confessions under torture. Amnesty
International is therefore concerned that the defendant's rights to
a fair hearing may be seriously undermined. Furthermore, I would
like to point out that the Namibian authorities have a
responsibility to ensure respect for international standards of
fairness and independence in the administration of justice and to
end torture in Namibia. I would like to refer to the ICCPR, CAT and
the ACHPR, which Namibia has ratified and has an obligation to
respect. Amnesty International believes that many of the defendants
who remain in custody are prisoners of conscience and calls for
their immediate and unconditional release and [for the Government]
to ensure that the remaining defendants are brought to trial
promptly and fairly. Finally, I would like to urge the Namibian
authorities to establish an independent and impartial inquiry into
the treatment of prisoners in custody with a view to recommending
improvements to prison conditions, compatible with international
standards. Daniela Baek
Wolkersdorf, Austria