From: jisrawi@PHYSICS.RUTGERS.EDU
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish
Subject: Algeria: letter from detention
Date: 27 Jul 92 02:41:48 GMT



The following is the English translation of a 2-page letter sent
from the Transition Detention Center of Sidi Abdelkader, in Blida
west of Algiers. The center is the transition and selection point
from which detainees are shipped to their final destination: the 
desert concentration camps in the Algerian Sahara. The letter is dated
14 Muharram 1413--July 15, 1992.
 
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Allah Almighty has said: "Do not despair, nor do you grieve. You are
the highest, if you are indeed believers".
 
At a time in which our country is witnessing dangerous slipping
towards the spilling of blood, and the fighting amongst the sons of one
same people, which is the result of the policy of exclusion, and 
concentration camps adopted by the ruling junta;
at a time in which many are talking about dialogue, and national 
reconciliation; the hand of the ruling junta continues in its
policy of oppression, detentions, nightly intrusions against the sons
of the courageous Algerian people. Under
these circumstances, we sons of the Algerian people, who have incarcerated
victims of transgression in the Transition Detention Center of 
Sidi-Abdelkader, Blida, Want to bring to light to the local, and international
public opinions what follow:
 
1. We have been arrested in the period between late May and the beginning
   of July 92.
 
2. Arrests were conducted from the homes, the streets, and at the doors
   of Mosques.
 
3. All the detainees have been kept for several days, ranging from a week
   to two months in cells. They were subject to hunger, physical abuse 
   (hitting) verbal abuse (cursing), various intimidation, and forced
   prevention from sleep.
 
4. Some of those present here, are being arrested for the second time, for
   they have been released from the desert concentration camps, only few
   days before being arrested anew.
 
5. Many of the detainees' families have no knowledge of theirs being arrested, 
   nor of the location where they are being held. 
 
In the face of this grave situation, we call for the immediate release of
all the detainees. We call for an end to all arrests and abuses, after its
becoming clear to all that the policy of concentration camps, and organized
repression has failed. It is incumbent upon the national and international
public opinions to shoulder their respective responsibilities regarding
the usurpation of the dignity, and the rights of the Algerian people, and
this before the conditions slip into a turn which is not to be liked.
 
Allah has said: "O you who believe, be patient, be perseverent, and be 
watchful, and fear Allah so that you may prosper".
 
        *** SOME FACTS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS IN THE CENTER ***
 
- Amongst the detainees, are youngsters whose age does not exceed 18 yrs.
- The number of detainees is 160, all of them from Algiers and Larbaa.
 
* Severe hitting
* Subjection to forced hunger. Some detainees were kept without food for
  three days.
* The cells were flooded with water to prevent detainees from sleeping.
* sleeping accommodations (bedding/covers) non-existant.
* Some detainees were kept for sixty (60) days in their cells.
* The detainees are forbidden from reading the Qur'an or getting in touch 
  with their families.
* Some detainees were prevented from leaving their cells for the single 
  purpose of relieving themselves (going to restrooms). They were forced
  to do it in the cells.
* Some of the detainees have spent the entire period in the cells while being
  chained.
 
                *** THE ACCUSATIONS ***
 
* The majority of the detainees are not accused of anything.
* Some of detainees are being accused with "pronouncing God is Great"
  when they hear of the death of Boudiaf.
* One detainee is accused of "drinking soda" on the occasion of the death
  of Boudiaf.
* One of the detainees is accused of "refusing the removal of his wife's
  head cover" when stopped at a security checkpoint.
* One of the detainees was arrested when he was found listening in his car 
  to a tape recording of Ali-Belhadj. At night the security personnel used
  his car for "work purposes".
* Some of the detainees were taken from their homes, while others from the
  market.
 
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