Subject: ETHRC UA 11/98: East Timor killings
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 17:46:10 -1000
From: ethrc <ethrc@minihub.org>EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE 124 Napier St
Fitzroy 3065 Australia PO BOX 1413 Collingwood 3066 Australia Tel: +61 3 9415 8225 Fax:
+61 3 9415 8218 E-mail: ethrc@minihub.org Director: Ms Maria Brett Chair: Bishop Hilton
Deakin
URGENT ACTION 1 July 1998
NAMES: Manuel Marques Soares, 21 Orlando Marcelino da Costa, 35 Antonio Soares, 15 Luis
Joaquim, 52
AND: up to 5 other unidentified East Timorese people injured
VIOLATIONS: Extra-judicial Executions / "Shootings" / Ill-treatment
LOCATION: Manatuto and Baucau districts, East Timor
Ref: UA 11/98
The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is concerned about rising tension in East
Timor, after another two East Timorese civilians were killed by Indonesian security forces
personnel. The killings took place during the recent visit to East Timor by a delegation
of Ambassadors from the European Union.
On 27 June 1998, it is believed 21-year-old Manuel Marques Soares was shot dead as he
sat in front of his house in the village of Aitais, Manatuto, by members of the Indonesian
military who opened fire into a nearby crowd in order to quell a clash between
pro-integration and pro-independence protesters. ETHRC sources have confirmed that two
others were injured in the incident: Antonio Soares, 15, and Luis Joaquim, 52, both of
whom sustained gunshot wounds. The two men were taken to Toko Baru hospital in Dili, the
capital of East Timor, and are believed to be in a serious condition in intensive care.
One ETHRC source reported that Antonio Soares is still in a coma.
On 29 June, Olandino Marcelino da Costa, 35, was shot and killed by Indonesian security
force personnel in Baucau, during a visit to the town by the European Union delegation.
Pro-independence protesters had gathered outsidet he cathedral in Dili to welcome the
European visitors. According to one witness, the crowd cheered when they saw two vans
carrying the European delegation but when a car appeared carrying several security
officers armed with automatic weapons, the crowd began to beat and kick on the car. It is
believed security officers inside the car fired shots into the crowd of people surrounding
the car, killing Olandino Marcelino da Costa. One witness said: "The people got angry
because the security agents came here with guns". At least five other civilians were
injured in the incident.
The ETHRC does not condone any acts of violence on the part of protesters, however,
concerns are held that security force personnel used unwarranted force in dealing with the
incidents in Manatuto and Baucau, resulting in the deaths of Manuel Marques Soares and
Olandino Marcelino da Costa, and causing serious injuries to other East Timorese people.
To date, no investigations have been undertaken into the killings and the ETHRC
therefore makes the following recommendations:
1. The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) should immediately
conduct a full and impartial investigation into the extra-judicial executions of Manuel
Marques Soares and Orlando Marcelino da Costa. 2. The soldiers responsible for the
extra-judicial executions should be charged under the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) and
should face criminal trials for their actions. If they are found guilty, the court should
hand down sentences which reflect the seriousness of the crimes.
Background Information
The ETHRC is concerned about the continuing high level of extra-judicial executions in
East Timor. The ETHRC has now reported seven extra-judicial executions by Indonesian
security force personnel in East Timor this year. In 1997, the ETHRC received reports of
52 East Timorese civilians who were believed killed by Indonesian security force
personnel. Details of the 1997 executions are contained in the East Timor Human Rights
Centre's Annual Report of Human Rights Violations dated 17 February 1998.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send faxes/telegrams/express or airmail letters in English, Bahasa Indonesia or
your own language:
* calling for the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to
conduct a full and impartial investigation into the extra-judicial executions of Manuel
Marques Soares and Orlando Marcelino da Costa; and * calling on the Indonesian government
to ensure that the soldiers responsible for the killings are charged under the Indonesian
Criminal Code (KUHP) and face criminal trials for their actions. If found guilty, the
court should hand down sentences which reflect the seriousness of the crimes.
SEND APPEALS TO:
1. PRESIDENT YUSUF HABIBIE President of the Republic of Indonesia Istana Negara Gedung
Binagraha Jl. Veteran Jakarta Pusat INDONESIA Faxes: +62 21 345 7782 Telegrams: President
Habibie, Jakarta, Indonesia Email: habibie@ristek.go.id
2. MINISTER OF JUSTICE Minister Prof. Dr. Muladi, SH Menteri Kehakiman Jl H.R. Rasuna
Said Blok X VI Kav. 4-5 Kuningan Jakarta Selatan INDONESIA Faxes: +62 21 525 3095
Telegrams: Justice Minister Muladi, Jakarta, Indonesia
ALSO SEND COPIES TO:
3. SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa
Sekretaris Jenderal, Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) Jl Latuharhary No 4 B,
Menteng Jakarta Pusat INDONESIA Phone/Fax: +62 21 392 5227 Email: info@komnas.go.id
4. MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Ali Alatas S.H Menteri Luar Negeri Jl. Medan Taman
Pejambon No. 6 Jakarta INDONESIA Faxes: +62 21 360 541 / 360 517 / 380 5511 / 345 7782 /
724 5354
PLEASE ALSO SEND APPEALS TO:
* Diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country * Parliamentarians and the
Foreign Ministry in your country
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY Check with the East Timor Human Rights Centre if
sending appeals after 15 August 1998
Back to July Menu
Back to Main Postings Menu |
