Subject: AI UA 299/98 EAST TIMOR Fear for safety/
arbitrary arrests
Date: 03 Dec 98 18:25:05 -0500
From: UA E-Mail Incoming <UA%AI-UK@amnesty.org.uk>Paper reprints authorised.
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Contact: ua@amnesty.org.uk
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/106/98 3 December 1998
Further information on UA 299/98 (ASA 21/102/98, 20 November 1998) and follow-up (ASA
21/103/98, 23 November 1998) - Fear for safety / Arbitrary arrests / Unlawful killings
EAST TIMOR Now known to be in police custody in Dili: Etelvina Maria Diaz, 20, [f]
Vicentinha Fernandez, 22, [f] (previously referred to as Atina)
Believed killed: Vicente de Andrade, head of Taitudak village
Marcal, Taitudak village ] Alexio, Taitudak village ] Deulindo, Taitudak village ]
Domingos Pereira, Mahakuidan Village ] Berikiak, Lurin sub-village ] all arrested Adriano,
Lurin sub-village ] but some Duarte, Lurin sub-village ] now known Manuel Dias, Lurin
sub-village ] to have Jose da Silva, Lurin sub-village ] been Alexandriano, Lurin
sub-village ] released Florindo de Andrade, Lurin sub-village ] Patricio, teacher at
Aituha village ] Filipe, Lurin sub-village ]
New names: Marcal Abel, 23 ] Marcelino Alves, 20 ]in police Alexio Diaz, 25 ]custody
Longuinhos Xavier, 18 ]in Dili Filipe Fernandes, 29 ] Four others whose names are not
known ]
Samuel da Costa, 18, student ]in unknown Otavio da Costa, 29 ]place of Salvador da
Costa, 17, student ]detention
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has now been allowed into the area
of Alas to investigate a number of reported extra-judicial executions and arrests alleged
to have been carried out by the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) last month.
The ICRC has confirmed that four people were killed in the area of Alas, Manufahi
District (previously listed as Same District), south of Dili, the capital of East Timor.
The ICRC statement also noted that "houses and personal property had been
destroyed" but did not confirm that a massacre had taken place.
Access to the area by other organizations still appears to be restricted however. On 3
December 1998, a group of East Timorese students and members of the National Council of
Timorese Resistance (CNRT), Conselho Nacional da Resistencia Timorense, who had been given
permission by the government to go to Alas to investigate the events, were reportedly
forced to turn back after ABRI fired shots into the air on their arrival in Same. ABRI is
reported to have stated that they thought the group was armed.
The number and identity of those still in detention are not known. The ICRC have
visited 13 people in police custody in Dili and Same. Indonesia's Foreign Minister last
week said that only eight people were being held in police custody. Human rights lawyers
have confirmed that there are 11 people in police custody in Dili (see names above),
including the two women named above (all 11 are now believed to have had access to
independent legal counsel).
Twelve other people taken into custody, eight of whom were reportedly ill-treated,
including being beaten, have now been released.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Serious human rights violations, including unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and
ill-treatment are believed to be being carried out in East Timor by ABRI in the context of
an intensive military operation to find those responsible for recent attacks by the armed
resistance, the East Timorese National Liberation Army (Falintil). On 31 October, three
Indonesian soldiers and an Indonesian civilian were detained and tied up by participants
at a political meeting in Weberek, Manufahi District, at which Falintil members were
present. While one soldier managed to escape (although he later died), the others were
killed. During a Falintil attack on a military command in Alas on 9 November three members
of ABRI were killed and 13 soldiers taken captive. A large number of weapons were also
stolen. Eleven of these have since been released but two remain in Falintil custody.
Reports of up to 50 people having been killed by ABRI cannot be confirmed but at least
two men are known to have been killed by the military.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in
Bahasa Indonesia or English or in your own language:
- welcoming the access granted to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
to enter the area of Alas to investigate recent events;
- expressing concern, however, at reports of intimidation of the group of students and
representatives of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) who had gained
permission to enter the area;
- urging that restrictions on access to Manufahi District for human rights monitors be
lifted;
- asking the East Timorese authorities to carry out without delay a full and impartial
investigation into the events in the District of Manufahi;
APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs) (note, fax tones can
difficult to obtain)
Commander Resort Military Command (KOREM) 164/Wiradharma (covers East Timor)
[Salutation: Dear Colonel Suratman] Colonel Tono Suratman Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma Dili
East Timor Indonesia Telegrams: Colonel Suratman, East Timor, Indonesia Faxes: + 62 390 21
624
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency Mr Rahardjo Jamtomo, Embassy of
Indonesia, 38 Grosvenor Square, London W1X 9AD. Fax: 0171 491 4993
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
Minister Of Defence And Security Gen. Wiranto Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan Jl. Medan
Merdeka Barat No.13-14 Jakarta 10110 Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 381 4535.
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas S.H. Menteri Luar Negeri Jl. Medan Taman
Pejambon No.6 Jakarta Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 380 5511/ 345 7782/ 360 541/ 724 5354
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 14 January 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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