Subject: UA 20/99 EAST TIMOR Arbitrary arrest/ fear
of torture
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PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/05/99 2 February 1999
UA 20/99 Arbitrary arrest/fear of torture
EAST TIMOR
Custodio da Silva Nunes
Custodio da Silva Nunes, an East Timorese member of the East Timor regional parliament,
was reportedly detained and beaten on 2 February 1999. He was arrested by members of
Ratih, a civilian militia trained and armed by the Indonesian armed forces (ABRI). Under
Indonesia's Code of Criminal Procedure (Kuhap) only the police have the power of arrest.
He is now apparently in police custody in Maubara, Liquica District. The reason for his
detention is not known.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Custodio da Silva Nunes's detention comes at a time of rising tension in East Timor.
Although there is now a more open political atmosphere, and the Indonesian authorities
appear more willing to work towards a solution to the problem of East Timor, recently
expressing a willingness to consider independence, these positive developments have been
undermined by continuing human rights violations. There is particular concern that
civilian militias and paramilitary groups armed and trained by ABRI are being used to
harass and intimidate supporters of East Timorese independence.
In the past week Ratih, together with ABRI, has been responsible for the killing of at
least four people in the sub-district of Zumalai in the west of East Timor. Another three
people from this area are currently being detained by Ratih and there are reports that at
least one of them has been beaten (see UA 18/99, 28 January 1999, and follow up, 2
February 1999).
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in Bahasa
Indonesian, English or your own language:
- urging the authorities to clarify the reasons for the detention of Custodio da Silva
Nunes and, if he is not to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence, to release
him;
- urging the authorities to guarantee that he will not be subjected to further
ill-treatment or torture, that reports that he has been beaten are immediately and
independently investigated, and those responsible are brought to justice;
- urging the authorities to immediately regularise or disband all civilian militia and
paramilitary groups in East Timor;
- reminding the government of Indonesia of its commitment to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, in particular Article 9: "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary
arrest, detention or exile".
APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs)
Commander Resort Military Command (KOREM) 164/Wiradharma (covers East Timor)
Colonel Tono Suratman [Salutation:Dear Colonel Suratman] Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma
Dili, East Timor, Indonesia Telegrams: Colonel Suratman, East Timor, Indonesia Faxes: + 62
390 321 624 (if voice, please request fax tone)
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/Commander of the Armed Forces
General Wiranto Menteri Pertahan dan Keamanan Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No 13-14 Jakarta
10110, Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 381 4535
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ali Alatas SH 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 16 March 1999.
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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