Kampala, Uganda, March 20, 2007 – The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders’ Network (EHAHRD-Net) is dismayed by the conviction of Mr. Jean-Paul Noel Abdi, President of the Djibouti League for Human Rights ( Ligue Djiboutienne des Droits Humains, LDDH ). Noel Abdi was on 18th March 2007 sentenced to six (6) months in prison, and fined 100.000 Djiboutian francs, accused of “libelous statements”, and “slandering”, in connection with a communication released by his organization on February 14th 2007, concerning the discovery of a mass grave in the village of Day, Tadjourah district. The mass grave reportedly was of seven civilians allegedly killed by government forces in 1994.

Information received from Network contacts indicates that Noel Abdi’s lawyer Zakaria Abdillahi was denied access to any vital information on his charge file before hand, disabling him to defend his client. This constitutes denial of a fair trial of Mr. Noel Abdi as provided for in the Djiboutian Constitution and in other international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Earlier, on the 9 th of March 2007, Noel Abdi had been arbitrarily arrested by the Djiboutian police and his passport was withheld without court decision.

The Network notes with concern the continued harassment of Mr. Noel Abdi by the Djiboutian government, related to his work as a human rights defender. In November 2006, Mr. Noel Abdi was hindered from traveling to Entebbe, Uganda for the sub-regional Journalists’ Conference organized by the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project. His passport was captured by the Djiboutian authorities at the time, though no clear case had been brought against him at the time. LDDH is the only human rights organization operating in Djibouti, and is affiliated to the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

“We are deeply saddened by the continued infringement on the rights of human rights defenders in Djibouti. The government of President Ismail Omar Guelleh must strictly observe the rights of human rights defenders as stipulated in the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, the Chairperson of EHAHRDP/Net.

APPEAL

The Network appeals to the Djiboutian government to re-investigate into Mr. Noel Abdi’s case and accord him a fair trial and to respect the rights of human rights defenders as contained in regional and international human rights instruments.

The Network also calls on the UN, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Special Rapporteurs, to appeal to the Djiboutian government on this case.

We further appeal to all Network members to add their voices in order to make this appeal a reality.

Send appeals to;

H.E President Ismail Omar Guelleh,

Thru; the Prime Minister, H.E Dileita Mohamed Dileita

Fax: +253-351132

H.E the President of the National Assembly, Idriss Arnaoud Ali,

Fax: +253-355503

H.E Minister of Justice, Mohamed Barkat Abdillahi

Fax: +253-355420

For further information,

Please contact Tumusiime Kabwende Deo

Press Officer, on +256-712-075721

Regional Coordination Office
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT (EHAHRDP)
Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. Box 11027 Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256-41-510263(general)/ext.112  
            +256-41-267118(direct)
Fax: +256-41-267117
E-mail: ehahrdp@yahoo.ca, hshire@yorku.ca
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/index.html