Seychelles: (a) Whether young men are particularly targeted by police if suspected of government opposition; (b) how they are generally treated by police if suspected; (c) what recourses are available to such suspects; and (d) whether it is normal to impose a six o'clock curfew on these suspects

(a) None of the sources currently available to the IRBDC are able to positively confirm or deny that young men in the Seychelles are particularly targeted by police if suspected of government opposition. The U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990 indicates that "human rights continued to be circumscribed in 1990" (1991, 327) in a variety of ways, and that opposition to the government in particular is not tolerated. But there is no indication from the report that young men as a group are targeted especially by police if suspected of dissent.

 Likewise, the survey of articles in The Indian Ocean Newsletter between September 1990 and March 1991, found in the attachments to Reply to Information Request SYC8757, indicates that while there have been several recent incidents of government intolerance toward criticism or opposition, there are no indications of any special treatment or suspicion of young men as a group.

 Amnesty International (5 June 1991) knows of no cases in which young men were or are particularly at risk; the targeted groups in the Seychelles are rather former politicians and their families, and those still involved with old political families such as the Ferarris and the Manchams. Church members also have been detained or censored for opposing the government (Ibid.).

 Further information on the subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.

(b) and (c) Regarding the treatment of those suspected of opposing the government and their legal recourses, the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990 (1991, 328) notes:

Under the authority of the Penal Code, police sometimes hold persons for 24 hours for 'questioning' regarding alleged anti-government activities. In particular, persons who seek to mobilize public opinion against the Government run a serious risk of being held for such interrogation. In late 1989, the Attorney General determined that the period of initial detention could be extended to 48 or even 72 hours, provided that an active investigation was being conducted 'with reasonable dispatch.' Defense attorneys have excellent access to detainees and to the police and can readily ascertain whether there is an active investigation.

 The Indian Ocean Newsletter (25 May 1991, 6) reports that "a young docker" was arrested on 17 May 1991 on suspicion of distributing anti-government documents, and was,

transferred on May 21 to a military camp at Grand Police where he was asked to sign a declaration confessing that the Seselwa Party documents had been given to him by Reverend Wavel Ramkalawan, an Anglican priest and opponent of the regime.

The story goes on to note that "the most famous lawyer on Mahé, Bernard Georges, will defend the case" (Ibid., 6).

 The Reverend Ramkalawan has charged that prisoners at the Grand Police prison have been tortured (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 3 Nov. 1990, 4). Another anti-government figure, Jean-François Ferrari, was reportedly arrested three times and interrogated by police in November 1990, after having his home searched and his personal notes, documents and typewriter confiscated (Ibid. 10 Nov. 1990, 4). Ferrari was not, however, detained, and was able to meet with the President, France Albert René later on in the month (Ibid. 24 Nov. 1990, 4). On March 16, 1991, Ferrari, present in the public gallery of the National Assembly during the passage of a new law on the issue of passports, threw his passport into the chamber in protest. Although the passport was immediately picked up by police, there is no mention that Ferrari was arrested or detained (Ibid. 16 Mar. 1991, 5).

 Further information on the treatment and legal recourse of young men suspected of anti-government activities is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.

(d) No information could be found confirming or denying the regular imposition of a six o'clock curfew for young men in the Seychelles suspected of opposing the government. A number of sources mention the imposition of both land and sea curfews in 1982 after a coup attempt (The Christian Science Monitor 20 Aug. 1982, 2; The Washington Post 17 Jan. 1982, A17).

Further information on the subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.

 For more information on the general human rights situation please consult the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990 available at regional IRB resource centres.

 Bibliography:

Amnesty International, London. 5 June 1991. Telephone interview with representative.

The Christian Science Monitor. 20 August 1982, Midwestern Edition. "Seychelles Forces Hunt Rebels." P. 2 (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 3 November 1990. "Seychelles: Sermon and Open Letters for Democracy."

. 10 November 1990. "Seychelles: Limits of Freedom of Expression."

. 24 November 1990. "Seychelles: President Albert René Receives Dissident."

. 16 March 1991. "Seychelles: Passport Issue Law Finally Passed."

. 25 May 1991. "Seychelles: 'Emergence' of New Clandestine Opposition Party."

The Washington Post. 17 January 1982, Final Edition. Murphy, Caryle. "Seychelles Remains Edgy Despite Routing Long - Planned Coup Try." (NEXIS)

U.S. Department of State. 1991. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.