Dear Friends,

There was a mistake in the Urgent Action issued yesterday. Please find enclosed an updated version.

Thank you

PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/22/00

EXTRA 33/00 Fear for safety / Fear of torture or ill-treatment 10 April 2000

INDONESIA Christiano Lafu, aged about 26

Amnesty International is very concerned for the safety of Christiano Lafu who it has just learned is reportedly detained by police in Kefamenanu town, West Timor, where he is at risk of torture or ill-treatment.

Christiano Lafu has not been heard from since he was detained by the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Indonesian National Army one month ago (10 March 2000) close to a border crossing checkpoint at Passabe, Oecussi, East Timor. He and two others, who escaped, had just crossed into West Timor.

The Indonesian Police (Polri) have reportedly acknowledged that he is under their investigation. They have reportedly said that he has been charged with carrying a long-bladed weapon and may face trial.

A UN district administrator travelled to Kefamenanu but was unable to meet him. He has had no access to lawyers or to family members.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the aftermath of the violence by pro-Indonesia militias and the TNI following the announcement of the result of the ballot in favour of independence, over a quarter of a million East Timorese fled or were forcibly expelled from East Timor - the majority of them across the border to West Timor.

After the arrival of Interfet (International Force for East Timor) in September 1999, the human rights situation in East Timor has improved. Although the repatriation program, under the auspices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has enabled many of the refugees to return to East Timor some 100,000 remain in camps in West Timor. Amnesty International believes that harassment, intimidation and misinformation by pro-integration militia present in camps has prevented many of the refugees from freely exercising their right to choose whether or not to return.

The Indonesian Government, which had threatened to cut off aid to the refugees on 31 March 2000, has now extended this deadline by a further three months.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in Indonesian, English or your own language: - urging the Indonesian authorities to clarify the whereabouts of Christiano Lafu who was detained by the TNI on 10 March 2000 close to a border crossing checkpoint at Passabe, East Timor, and who is now believed to be in police custody in Kefamenanu town, West Timor; - urging the authorities to guarantee his safety and ensure that he is not tortured or ill-treated; - urging the authorities to ensure that he is given immediate and continuous access to his family, lawyers and any medical treatment he may need.

APPEALS TO: National Police Chief Gen. Rusdihardjo Kapolri Markas Besar Kepolisian RI Jl. Trunojoyo 3 Kebayoran Baru Jakarta Selatan Indonesia Telegrams: Gen. Rusdihardjo, Kapolri, Jakarta, Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 720 7277 Salutation: Dear Chief of Police

Chief of Police for Bali & Nusa Tenggara Maj. Wayan D. Ardjana Kapolda NUSRA Kupang, West Timor Indonesia Telegrams: Major Ardjana, West Timor, Indonesia Salutation: Dear Major

COPIES TO:

President KH Abdurrahman Wahid President RI Istana Merdeka Jakarta 10110 Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 345 2685 / 380 5511 / 526 8726 Telexes: 44283 BIGRA IA / 44469 DEPLU IA E-mails: presiden@ri.go.id

and to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 10 May 2000.

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