Alkarama recently submitted communications to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), regarding the implementation of its Opinion No. 65/2018. These communications were also sent to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health and the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.
The communications concerned the situation of Mr Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, former President of the Union of the Comoros. Having been detained for more than eight years, Mr Sambi is now entering his ninth year of deprivation of liberty. Despite Opinion No. 65/2018 of the WGAD concluding that his detention was arbitrary and calling on the Comorian authorities to take the necessary measures to end it, Mr Sambi remains imprisoned.
According to information received by Alkarama, the former president's health is deteriorating and he requires access to specialised, independent and appropriate medical care. Six former Comorian prime ministers from different political backgrounds have also raised these concerns, calling on President Azali Assoumani to allow Mr Sambi to receive appropriate medical treatment without delay. In light of this situation, Alkarama has called upon the relevant United Nations mechanisms to intervene with the Comorian authorities to ensure the immediate implementation of Opinion No. 65/2018 and the release of Mr Sambi, as well as to ensure full respect for his fundamental rights, including his right to health and to a fair trial.
A detention found to be arbitrary
Since 2018, Alkarama has been monitoring Mr Sambi's situation before the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, on the basis that his deprivation of liberty contravenes the fundamental guarantees enshrined in international human rights instruments.
Following a submission by Alkarama, the Working Group adopted Opinion No. 65/2018. This concluded that the former president’s detention was arbitrary, and called on the Comorian authorities to take appropriate measures to restore his rights.
Since then, Alkarama has engaged continuously with the relevant United Nations mechanisms on this case, advocating for the implementation of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's recommendations.
Alkarama is committed to its mission of defending human rights and will continue its efforts to promote the implementation of this opinion, thereby contributing to the respect of fundamental rights under international law.