Subject: ETHRC UA 5/98PR
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 17:56:40 -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 Progress Report 10 July 1998
NAMES: Antonio da Costa Mauricio da Costa
VIOLATIONS: Arbitrary detention / Torture and Ill-treatment
LOCATION: Baucau district, East Timor
Ref: UA 5/98PR Previous report: UA 5/98
_________________________________________________________________________
The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) has received further information in relation
to two East Timorese men, Antonio da Costa and his brother Mauricio da Costa, who were
reported to be held in incommunicado military custody, following their arrest on 12 May,
1998 in the village of Wainiki, Baucau district. The two brothers were suspected by the
military of supporting the East Timorese Armed Resistance (Falintil). (See UA 5/98 for
details).
ETHRC sources have confirmed that the two men were released on 19 May 1998 after having
been arbitrarily detained for one week at the Kopassus (Special Forces Command)
headquarters in Baucau (known as "Rumah Merah" or "Red House"),
reputed to be a torture centre of the Indonesian military. It is believed that during
detention Antonio and Mauricio da Costa had their hands burned and received electric
shocks to their bodies. As a result of the torture, Antonio da Costa is experiencing
difficulties with movement in his body. Both men continue to suffer from trauma due to
their experience.
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED IN RELATION TO THIS CASE Thank-you to all those who took
action
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