Subject: OMCT Case Idn/Tmp 230798 and Case Idn/Tmp 230798.CC
Child Concern
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 09:32:17 +0200
From: omct@omct.org Case IDN / TMP 230798 and Child
Concern Case IDN / TMP 230798.CC
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention regarding the
following situation in East Timor.
Brief description of the situation :
The International Secretariat has been informed by the East Timor Human Rights Centre
(ETHRC), member of the OMCT network, of the alleged arbitrary detention of three East
Timorese men, Mr. Januario Freitas, Mr. Abilio Vecente and Mr. Olandino Oliveira, on or
about July 11th, 1998. It is believed that the three men are being detained at the
Wirahusada military hospital in Dili and that they are injured. However, it has not been
possible to obtain any further information regarding their injuries or the circumstances
in which the injuries were sustained. Nonetheless, it is feared that they may have been
subjected to torture and ill treatment.
The whereabouts of the three men was unknown at first until they were located at the
hospital. It appears that their disappearance and detention may be related to the
interrogation and alleged torture of seven other East Timorese youths, one of whom is
16-years old, Esaias, that took place on the same day, at the Beto hamlet, in Comoro,
Dili. They were reportedly beaten by armed members of ABRI, "ninjas", hired by
the Indonesian militaries. Five of them were not arrested whereas Mr. Carlito Guterres
(29) and Mr. Fernando Pereira (25) were arrested and detained for 24 hours at the West
Dili Koramil. The two men were then transferred to POLRES Headquarters in Dili where they
were allegedly interrogated and subjected to torture. Mr. Carlito Guterres (29) and Mr.
Fernando Pereira were released on July 12th, 1998.
According to the ETHRC, Mr. Januario Freitas, Mr. Abilio Vecente and Mr. Olandino
Oliveira have been denied access to legal counsel and to family visits. The International
Secretariat is therefore concerned for their physical and psychological integrity.
Child Concern Case IDN / TMP 230798.CC
The International Secretariat of OMCT would like to express its concern for the alleged
torture and ill treatment, perpetrated against an East Timorese minor, Esaias, a 16-year
old.
Brief description of the situation:
The Secretariat recalls that Esaias was reportedly beaten, on July 11th, 1998, along
with a six other East Timorese youths in Comoro, Dili, by a group of 20 armed members of
ABRI, while they were standing guard in the Beto hamlet. They were reportedly kicked and
beaten with gun butts in order to extract information.
Actions requested : Please write to the Indonesian authorities urging them to :
i.- ensure the physical and psychological integrity, at all times, of Mr. Januario
Freitas, Mr. Abilio Vecente and Mr. Olandino Oliveira as well as the seven youths
aforementioned, including Esaias;
ii.-order their immediate release if they are being held without any valid charges, or
should they have been charged, ensure their right to a fair and impartial trial at all
times as well as their procedural rights;
iii.-ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged arbitrary detention
and into the allegations of torture and ill treatment of all those aforementioned, in
order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or
administrative sanctions as provided by law;
iv.-in general, ensure all human rights and fundamental liberties, in accordance with
national laws and international covenants.
Addresses:
PRESIDENT YUSUF HABIBIE, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Istana Negara, Gedung
Binagraha Jl. Veteran, Jakarta Pusat, INDONESIA, Fax: +62 21 345 7782.
MINISTER OF JUSTICE Prof. Dr. Muladi, S.H. Menteri Kehakiman, JI. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav.
6-7, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia. Fax : + 62 21 525 3095
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Ali Alatas S.H. Menteri Luar Negeri, Jl Medan Taman
Pejambon No. 6 Jakarta, Imdonesia, Fax +62 21 380 5511/360 517/345 7782/360 541
CHIEF OF NATIONAL POLICE Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Banurusman Atmosumitro, Kapolri, Markas Besar
Kepolisian RI, JI. Trunojoyo 13, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia. Telegrams :
National Police Chief, Jakarta, Indonesia
Military Commander region IX/udayana(includes East Timor) General.Adam Damiri, Pangdam
IX/Udayana, Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. Telegram : Pangdam
IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.
SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa,
Sekretaris Jenderal, Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia (Komnas HAM), JI Latuharhary
No.4B,Menteng Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia. Phone/Fax: +62 21 392 5227-Email: info@kommas.go.id
July 23rd, 1998
Kindly inform us of any information undertaken by quoting the code of this appeal in
your reply.
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