Subject: AI UA 163/99 INDONESIA Disappearances
Date: 13 Jul 99 16:25:13 -0400
From: UA E-Mail Incoming <UA%AI-UK@amnesty.org.uk>
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PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/59/99 13 July 1999
UA 163/99 "Disappearances"
INDONESIA
Yacob Hamdan, 30 Zainal Abdullah Abdul Manaf, 18 Ishak, 27 Abdul Mutaleb Tgk M Saleh
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of the six men named above, who have
"disappeared" after they were arrested between 27 June and 8 July 1999,
allegedly by the Indonesian National Army (TNI).
Tgk M Saleh was arrested by around 10 men, one carrying a rifle, at his home in Bukit
Kemuneng Village, Teunom Sub-district, West Aceh at around 11pm on 27 June 1999. The men
were thought to be TNI soldiers, but Amnesty International cannot confirm this.
On 1 July, Yacob Hamdan, from Alue Dua Village, Peureulak Sub-district, East Aceh, and
Zainal Abdullah, from Paya Meuligoe Village, Peureulak Sub-district, were arrested by
members of the TNI within the grounds of the PT Nusantara I company, in Karang Inong, East
Aceh. Neither man has been seen since.
On 2 July, Abdul Mutaleb, from Teumpeun Village, Peureulak Sub-district, was arrested
at his home by the security forces and accused of being a member of the armed opposition
group Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM), the Free Aceh Movement, and of involvement in the
shooting of a military informer on 22 June. Abdul Mutaleb had previously accused a local
government official, who is believed to work as an aide to the security forces, of
corruption. He has not been seen since his arrest.
At around 5 pm on 3 July, Abdul Manaf, from Alue Bu Tuha Village, Peureulak
Sub-district, was arrested by members of the TNI at his place of work in the town of
Langsa. He has not been seen since.
Ishak, from Sungai Raya, Ranto Selamat Sub-district, East Aceh, was arrested on 8 July
by two unknown men believed to be from the TNI. He was arrested as he was drinking coffee
in Kuala Langsa, and taken away in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Serious human rights violations, including "disappearances" and unlawful
killings, have increased since the end of 1998 in the course of TNI counter-insurgency
operations against GAM. People have also been arbitrarily arrested and detained. In
February at least seven people were unlawfully killed when the TNI fired on a procession
in Idi Cut, East Aceh. On 3 May, human rights monitors claimed that at least 40 people
were killed in Krueng Geukueh, Dewantara Sub-District, Aceh Utara District, when the TNI
fired on a demonstration. GAM have also been accused of committing human rights abuses.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in Bahasa
Indonesia, English or your own language:
- urging the authorities to immediately establish and make public the whereabouts of
the six men, and to provide guarantees for their safety;
- urging the authorities to ensure that, if they are found to be in custody, they have
regular access to human rights lawyers, to their families and to medical professionals,
and that they are immediately released if they are not to be charged with recognisably
criminal offences.
APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs)
MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND SECURITY
Gen. Wiranto [Salutation: Dear Minister] Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan Jl. Medan
Merdeka Barat No.13-14 Jakarta 10110 Indonesia Telegrams: General Wiranto, Jakarta,
Indonesia Fax: + 62 21 381 4535/ 384 5178
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: Embassy of Indonesia, 38 Grosvenor Square,
London W1X 9AD. Fax: 0171 491 4993
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
MILITARY COMMANDER REGION I/BUKIT BARISAN (covers North & West Sumatra and Aceh)
Major General Abdul Rahman Gaffar Pangdam I/Bukit Barisan Markas Besar KODAM I Medan
Sumatra Utara Indonesia
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 24 August 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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