[prisoner-rights] Libya: The release of prisoners, a positive step

* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *

3 September 2002
MDE 19/003/2002


Amnesty International today warmly welcomes the announcement of
the release of tens of prisoners, including prisoners of
conscience and possible prisoners of conscience.

       Among the prisoners of conscience were Muhammad 'Ali
al-Akrami, al-'Ajili Muhammad 'Abd al-Rahman al-Azhari, Muhammad
'Ali al-Qajiji, Salih 'Omar al-Qasbi and Muhammad al-Sadiq
al-Tarhuni, who have been imprisoned for almost three decades,
following their arrest in 1973 for their peaceful involvement
with the prohibited Islamic Liberation Party.

       "Their release is a positive development in the human
rights situation in Libya, and we hope that it will soon be
followed by the release of all detainees held solely on account
of their peaceful political views or affiliation", Amnesty
International today.

       The organization remains concerned for the many long-term
political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience and
possible prisoners of conscience, who continue to suffer behind
bars in Libyan prisons. Amnesty International has repeatedly
called on the Libyan authorities to clarify the cases of these
men, some of whom have been deprived of their liberty for more
than a decade without charge or trial. Others have served lengthy
prison terms after grossly unfair trials.

       Amnesty International has been informed that many
families, whose relatives' names did not feature on the list
published by the Gaddafi International Foundation for Charity
Association (GIFCA), have congregated outside Abu Salim prison in
Tripoli, waiting hopefully for the possible release of their
loved ones.

       "The continued detention of these political prisoners is
unjust. They must be released without delay or be tried promptly
before an independent and impartial tribunal, in proceedings
which meet international standards of fairness." Amnesty
International urged.

       Amnesty International further calls on the Libyan
authorities to meet their international obligations to ensure
compensation to all those found by an independent  and impartial
body to have been victims of torture or ill-treatment and
arbitrary detention or imprisonment after a trial which failed to
meet international standards for fairness.

Background
The prisoners' release was announced on 29 August 2002 by the
Gaddafi International Foundation for Charity Association (GIFCA),
headed by Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, a son of Colonel Mu'ammar
al-Gaddafi, to coincide with the 33rd anniversary of Colonel
Mu'ammar al-Gaddafi's coming to power. Last year, the GIFCA
announced the release of scores of prisoners to mark the 32nd
anniversary. On 2 August 2002 the names of 62 people to be
released were published by the GIFCA.

       In his annual address to the nation, Colonel Mu'ammar
al-Gaddafi reiterated his long-standing assertion that there are
no political prisoners in Libya. According to media reports,
Colonel Mu'ammar al-Gaddafi argued that those who remain in
Libyan prisons have links to al-Qa'idah and as such the Libyan
authorities would, "...treat them just like America is treating
the others [in Guantanamo Bay].... America said, 'These people do
not have the right to defend themselves, we will neither provide
them with lawyers, nor will their human rights be respected."

       Amnesty International reminds the Libyan authorities, as
they have reminded the US and other authorities, of their
obligations under international law and standards to respect and
protect all persons deprived of their liberty within Libya. This
includes ensuring respect for their fundamental rights, including
the right of prompt access to and assistance of a lawyer; the
right to be informed immediately upon arrest of the reasons for
their arrest and promptly informed of any charges brought against
them; the right to be brought promptly before a court; and the
right to a fair trial.

       These rights are contained in the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, to which Libya is a State Party;
and the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons
Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, adopted by consensus
by the United Nations General Assembly in 1988.


****************************************************************
You may repost this message onto other sources provided the main
text is not altered in any way and both the header crediting
Amnesty International and this footer remain intact. Only the
list subscription message may be removed.
****************************************************************