Lawyer and human rights defender, Fabián Nsue Nguema has been suspended for a year from the Equatorial Guinea Bar Association for alleged but unspecified misconduct. It is believed that his suspension is politically motivated.

Fabián Nsue Nguema only learnt of his suspension on 24 June although the letter of notification, which is signed by the Dean of the Bar, was dated 3 June.   The letter refers to complaints about his "undesirable and irregular conduct" but gives no specific instances.

The proper procedure when there are allegations of misconduct  against a lawyer in Equatorial Guinea is for the lawyer in question to be notified in writing and given a chance to respond to the accusation. If necessary an investigation is instituted and again, the lawyer in question is informed and given an opportunity to defend him or herself.  This has not happened in this case.

Fabián Nsue Nguema is internationally known for his courageous defence work in politically sensitive cases and as the Secretary General of the political party Unión Popular.  It is because of these activities that it is believed he has been suspended from practising law.

Fabián Nsué Nguema Obono was arrested in April 2002 for criticizing government policy. He was accused of defamation and slandering the Head of State.

He is a lawyer and member of the Popular Union (UP) opposition party. His arrest, in the capital Malabo, followed the publication of a communique on the internet signed by him and published by Laurentino Nsué Mibuy, another UP member in exile in Spain. The communique criticized the government for cancelling a salary increase for civil servants which had been announced at the beginning of the year.

Following his imprisonment he was reportedly severely tortured on several occasions, sustaining broken wrists, for which he received no treatment.

After a reportedly unfair trial in July he was sentenced to one year in prison. The same trial convicted Laurentino Nsué Mibuy, in his absence, of defamation and slander, and sentenced him to two years and four months in prison and to pay a hefty fine.

Fabián Nsué Nguema Obono was released from prison on 16 October 2002 under the terms of an amnesty to commemorate Equatorial Guinea’s independence. The conditions of the amnesty mean that for one year he has to report to the authorities monthly and needs permission to leave the country. At the time of his release he had served five and a half months of his one-year sentence. The conditions of his release mean that he will still have to report to the authorities beyond the date when his In view of the above, I respectfully urge you to ensure that Fabián Nsue Nguema's suspension from the Equatorial Guinea Bar Association is rescinded without delay and that he is allowed to practise law without harassment or interference.

Read more :

http://www.asodegue.org/junio28052.htm