SPLM'S ARMAN DESCRIBES POLICE ABUSE; ARRESTED DEMONSTRATORS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001370 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREF SU SUBJECT: SPLM'S ARMAN DESCRIBES POLICE ABUSE; ARRESTED DEMONSTRATORS RELEASED REF: A) KHARTOUM 1359 B) KHARTOUM 1363 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On December 8, Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Head of Northern Sector Yasir Arman described how several Government of Sudan (GOS) junior police officers "beat him with their boots" and a police baton while he was in police custody on December 7. Arman stated he received injuries to his head, legs and chest for which he sought medical treatment. Arman stated that others detained in various locations suffered worse injuries, including broken bones. The UN affirmed that 146 people had been arrested in Omdurman on December 7, while an additional 120 had been arrested in the northern Sudan cities of Wad Madani, El Obeid and El Hasahisa. All were released the following morning. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On December 8, a visiting delegation from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) met with SPLM's Head of Northern Sector Yasir Arman following his detention the previous day by GOS security forces (reftels). Accompanying Arman were Government of National Unity (GNU) Members of Parliament (MPs) Salwa Adam and Malone Mayok, who also took part in the December 7 protests. ¶3. (SBU) Arman told the USCIRF delegation and poloff that he and 12 to 15 other MPs arrived at the National Assembly for their planned protest at approximately 8:15 a.m. on December 7. The National Assembly Speaker had agreed to receive them and accept their prepared memorandum, but the heavy GOS security presence prevented them from entering the building. GOS police forces proceeded to take Malone Mayok into a police vehicle, which Arman protested vigorously due to standard GNU immunity granted to all MPs. Arman said it was then that he and SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amun were also taken to the police station. ¶4. (SBU) Arman noted that there was no struggle or scuffling up to that point, but events took a turn for the worse when police attempted to search the MPs at the police station, and the MPs refused. Arman stated he was then taken into the station's bathroom where several junior officers "beat him with their boots" and a "plastic stick" on his legs, head and chest. (Note: Arman is most likely referring to a hard rubber police baton commonly used in Sudan. End note.) He showed USCIRF three bruises on his right leg. Arman stated that his suit was also torn during the beating. ¶5. (SBU) Arman requested that he be taken to a local hospital, which he stated took a full record of his injuries, including photographs. After his examination, Arman returned to the police station and was released in the late afternoon. Salma Adam also told the USCIRF delegation that she was beaten on the arms, and observers noted slight swelling on her right arm. Arman further noted that other people arrested in various locations suffered more severe injuries from beatings, including broken bones. Arman stated he would hold a press conference later in the day on December 8 for "the public record." (Note: In speaking with the press on December 8, SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amun did not say that he had been beaten, but did say that Arman had been. End note.) -------------- UNMIS CONFIRMS ARRESTS, ALL RELEASED -------------- ¶6. (SBU) UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Human Rights Officer-in-Charge Jose Maria Aranaz confirmed press reports that over 200 demonstrators were arrested in northern Sudan on December 7. According to the latest figures gathered by the UN, Sudanese authorities arrested 146 people in Omdurman, and all of them were released by the morning of December 8. Sudanese authorities arrested an additional 120 individuals in protests in Wad Medani, El Obeid and El Hasahisa, but the UN confirmed that all were released by the morning of December 8 as well. UN representatives noted numerous bandaged demonstrators at the opposition parties' press conference in Omdurman on December 7, and said that three protesters were injured seriously during the protests in El Obeid and Wad Medani. UNMIS Human Rights intends to follow up on the issue with the GOS Advisory Council on Human Rights this week. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: While it is common for GOS security services to react in a heavy-handed fashion, this outlash against demonstrators engaged in a peaceful protest is significant. In a moment of unusual candor, the MFA's acting Americas' Department Director told the DCM on December 8 that the "roughness by police" in response to the demonstrators had been "regrettable" and would "complicate the political situation." The abuse of SPLM heavyweight Arman, apparently by junior police officers, may not have been particularly severe, but it is troublesome in that Arman is the SPLM's caucus KHARTOUM 00001370 002 OF 002 leader in the National Assembly with guaranteed legal immunity as such, and a senior official in the junior partner in the GNU. This incident will create a chill in the political climate as Sudan tries to move forward in the electoral cycle. End comment. WHITEHEAD