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Case IDN/ TMP 061098

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention regarding the following situation in East Timor.

Brief description of the situation:

The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC), a member of the OMCT network, has expressed its grave concern over the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Marcos Belo, an East Timorese youth.

According to information received, Mr. Marcos Belo was arrested on 30 September, 1998, together with three other East Timorese youths, Agapito Belo, Carlos Pinto Belo and Ernesto Amaral Belo, during an Indonesian military operation in the hamlet of Kaisida (10 kilometers from the city of Baucau). They were accused of stealing an electric cable. However, it is believed the real reason for their arrest is their suspected involvement in the clandestine resistance and their participation in public forums to discuss East Timor's future.

The four detainees were taken to the Air Force headquarters at Lanud Baucau where they were interrogated and, it is believed, subjected to torture.

Agapito Belo, Carlos Pinto Belo and Ernesto Amaral Belo were released after 12 hours but Marcos Belo is still believed to be detained at Lanud Baucau. It is further alleged that he has been denied access to legal representation. Given the circumstances of their arrests and the numerous allegations of torture and other gross violations of human rights in East Timor, OMCT expresses its grave concern for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Marcos Belo.

Actions requested:

Please write to the Indonesian authorities urging them to:

i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Marcos Belo at all times;

ii. order his immediate release if he is being held without any valid charges or, in the event that he has been charged, ensure his right to a fair and impartial trial as well as his procedural rights at all times;

iii.bring an immediate end to the use of torture by the Indonesian authorities;

iv. in general, ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards.

Addresses:

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, E-mail: habibie@ristek.go.id

MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor), General Syahrir MS Pangdam IX/Udayana, Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, INDONESIA Telephone: +62 361 228 095, Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

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

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

Please also send appeals to: Diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country

Geneva, 6 October 1998

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.

OMCT - The World Organisation Against Torture is the Worlds largest network of human rights organisations fighting against all forms of torture, cruel inhuman or degrading treatment, forced disappearances summary execution or other more subtle forms of violent repression.

OMCT has consultative status with the UN, The ILO and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.

OMCT stands for: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture OMCT-SOS-Torture Fax 4122 733 1051 Ph 4122 733 3140 omct@omct.org http://www.omct.org/

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