Subject: AI UA215/98 EAST TIMOR Fear for safety
Date: 03 Aug 98 17:16:39 -0400
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PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/79/98
UA 215/98 Fear for safety 3 August 1998
EAST TIMOR Francisco (no surname)
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Francisco, an East Timorese man
from Dili, the capital of East Timor, who is believed to have been tortured, and who is
now in incommunicado military detention following his arrest on 14 July 1998.
Francisco was arrested during a military search of a public bus from Suai to Dili, by
soldiers from KODIM (District Military Command) Liquica and Koramil (Sub-District Military
Command) Maubara 03. He was reportedly then detained at KODIM Liquica. The East Timor
Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) has stated that Francisco was subjected to torture at KODIM
Liquica, and that witnesses who saw him in military custody at KODIM Liquica claimed that
his face was severely disfigured.
According to the ETHRC, on 18 July, Francisco was taken out of KODIM and driven to the
town of Maubara. On arrival in Maubara, while still in military custody, Francisco managed
to attract the attention of passers-by. As a result of this, it is reported that the
military are believed to have returned him to KODIM Liquica.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Arbitrary arrests of individuals suspected of opposing Indonesia's occupation of East
Timor continue to be reported. East Timorese taken into both military and police custody
face the risk of being tortured and ill-treated, particularly in the early stages of
detention when they are interrogated. Safeguards against torture and ill-treatment of
detainees, such as the right to independent legal counsel at all stages of an
investigation, provided for under Indonesia's Code of Criminal Procedures, are frequently
ignored by the military and the police. Detainees are routinely denied access to legal
counsel and to their families, thereby increasing the risk of ill-treatment and torture.
Around 20 East Timorese are believed to remain in incommunicado military detention.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail
letters in Bahasa Indonesia or in your own language:
- urging the authorities to clarify the whereabouts of Francisco and the charges under
which he is being held and to release him if he is not being held for a recognisable
criminal offence;
- urging the authorities to allow him on-going and regular access to human rights
lawyers, medical professionals and to his family;
- urging the authorities to ensure that he is not at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
APPEALS TO:
MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA: (covers Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara and East
Timor)
Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri Pangdam IX/Udayana Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana Denpasar Bali
Indonesia
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: Embassy of Indonesia, 38 Grosvenor Square,
London W1X 9AD. Fax: 0171 491 4993
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
Ali Alatas S.H. Menteri Luar Negeri Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No.6 Jakarta Indonesia
Faxes:+ 62 21 360 517 /21 380 5511 /21 345 7782 /21 360 541 /21 724 5354
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 14 September 1998.
If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about the UA scheme in general,
please contact: Ray Mitchell / Becky Hess Amnesty International UK Section
99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue London EC1R 4RE email: ua@amnesty.org.uk
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