E/CN.4/1991/17 page 33 105. Another four members of the Kuwaiti Shi'a community who were transferred to Kuwait Central Prison together with Mr. Abbas al-Musawi, were among a group of approximately 20 Shi'a arrested in Kuwait in the second half of November 1989. All were reportedly beaten and subjected to electric shock treatment during interrogation while in detention at Amn al-Dawla prison. Their names were reported as follows: Faisal Abd al-Hadi al-Mahmid, who was allegedly kicked and beaten to the point of losing consciousness; Abd al-Hamid al Saffar; Sayyid Walid al-Mazidi, student at Kuwait university, and his father-in-law Abd al-Rida Karoun, a Government employee. Malaysia Urgent appeals 106. On 19 June 1990, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Malaysia concerning Benedict Topin and Albinus Yudah who were arrested on 25 and 26 May 1990 in the State of Sabah and have since been held incommunicado at Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Both were reportedly arrested under the internal security act which allows for indefinite detention without trial, and it was alleged that persons detained in the past under that act had been subjected to severe ill-treatment while held for interrogation. It was further reported that Benedict Topin had recently undergone surgery for a back injury and Abbinus Yudah was on his way to hospital to seek orthopaedic treatment when he was arrested. Mauritania Urgent appeals and Government replies 107. On 6 July 1990, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Mauritania transmitting information concerning Dieng Ibra Yero, Samba Papa Sy and his wife, Aissata Sy, Lo Boubacar Amath and Niang Samba Dienga. According to the information received, these five persons, who are all members of the Hal-Pulaar ethnic group, were arrested in April 1990 and are allegedly still being held incommunicado together with some 350 other persons in the Azlat Military Camp between Boghe and Aleg in the southern part of the country. The five persons were reportedly tortured in detention and fears have been expressed that they might be tortured again. The Special Rapporteur's attention was also drawn to the case of Mr. Cire Djekou Sow, aged 66, and Mr. Kegaido Coulibaly, aged 38. Mr. Djekou Sow was arrested on an unspecified date between 20 and 23 May 1990 and was reportedly taken unconscious to the National Guard Headquarters at Kaedi. Three days later, he was transferred to the Kaedi Police Station, where he was interrogated under torture. Mr. Coulibaly was also reportedly being held at Kaedi and fears were expressed that he might also be tortured. 108. On 21 October 1990, the Mauritanian Government sent the Special Rapporteur the following information: "Mauritanian legislation prohibits torture and any other corporal punishment. The relevant texts are a major component of the instruction given to law enforcement officials at all levels. The judiciary applies the full force of the law to any Government agent who is guilty of the use of torture and the political authorities ensure scrupulous respect for the protection of all human rights, including the right not to be subjected to torture or any other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Any person living