Mahmoud Abu Rideh, 34 anos de idade May 9, '05 9:07 AM ET for everyone
UNITED KINGDOM Mahmoud Abu Rideh (m), aged 34, Palestinian refugee
Amnesty International is concerned for the mental health of Palestinian refugee Mahmoud Abu Rideh, after the UK authorities refused to grant him bail in order that he receive appropriate treatment at a hospital in central London. He is at serious risk of taking his own life.
Mahmoud Abu Rideh, a torture victim who suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, is charged with breaching a 'control order' under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 (PTA). Under this legislation, he has been obliged, among other things, to wear an electronic tag since March 2005. In April, the UK authorities agreed to allow him to remove the electronic tag while he received treatment at a hospital in London for his deteriorating mental health. After two weeks of hospital treatment Mahmoud Abu Rideh's health had improved, but he apparently feared that he would not be able to cope with the replacement of the electronic tag. He voluntarily went to a police station in London and announced that he would refuse to have the tag put back on. Shortly afterwards, he was arrested and charged with breaching the conditions of his control order, and remanded into custody to Brixton Prison in south London, where he has since been held in the hospital wing.
Mahmoud Abu Rideh appeared in court to face the charge against him on 4 May. The court heard that doctors who have been treating him recommended he should be released on bail, on condition that he be subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7am, during which time he should reside at the hospital, and that he attend a programme of therapeutic activities at the hospital between 9am and 5pm every day. Mahmoud Abu Rideh’s lawyer pleaded that her client should not be sent back to prison as she feared that he may attempt to take his life. He has made at least four attempts on his life recently; the last one, a very serious attempt, on 29 April. However, the authorities have refused to grant bail to Mahmoud Abu Rideh, and he was ordered to remain in Brixton Prison pending a further hearing in two weeks' time.
Mahmoud Abu Rideh was granted refugee status in the UK in 1997. He was originally arrested in December 2001 under Part 4 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA) and held without charge or trial until March 2005. In June and July 2002, Amnesty International expressed concern that Mahmoud Abu Rideh’s detention conditions amounted to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, which were causing a marked deterioration in his mental and physical health, and that he was at serious risk of taking his own life (see UA 198/02, EUR 45/010/2002, 28 June 2002, and follow-ups). He was released when Part 4 of the ATCSA expired in March 2005, and immediately was made the subject of a control order under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language: -expressing concern for Mahmoud Abu Rideh, who is at risk of taking his own life if he continues to be held in custody at Brixton Prison; - noting his history of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder; - noting that at a hearing on 4 May, doctors treating him recommended that he be permitted to receive residential treatment at a hospital; - urging the authorities to grant Mahmoud Abu Rideh’s lawyer’s request that he be given bail immediately in order that he receive appropriate medical treatment.
APPEALS TO: Home Secretary The Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP Secretary of State for the Home Department Home Office 50 Queen Anne's Gate London SW1H 9AT, UK. Fax: + 44 20 7035 4745 Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Salutation: Dear Home Secretary
COPIES TO: Prison Governor John Podmore Governor, Brixton HMP Jebb Avenue Brixton London SW2 5XF, UK. Fax: + 44 20 8588 6283 Salutation: Dear Governor
and to diplomatic representatives of United Kingdom accredited to your country.
