EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE 124 Napier St Fitzroy 3065 Australia PO BOX 1413 Collingwood 3066 Australia Tel: +61 3 9415 8225 Fax: +61 3 9415 8218 E-mail: ethrc@minihub.org Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin Director: Ana Noronha

URGENT ACTION 12 September 1999

NAMES: One unidentified East Timorese refugee (female) - killed One unidentified East Timorese refugee (male)

AND: Up to 100,000 East Timorese refugees in Dare

VIOLATIONS: Extrajudicial Execution / Possible disappearance / "Shooting Attack" / Intimidation / Persecution / Fear of Safety

LOCATION: Dare, East Timor

Ref: UA13/99

The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is gravely concerned for the safety of up to 100,000 East Timorese refugees who have taken refuge in the town of Dare, 9km south of the capital city Dili. There are conflicting reports that the town of Dare is currently under attack by Kopassus members (Special Forces Command) of the Indonesian military. The ETHRC is currently endeavouring to confirm reports on the situation in Dare.

ETHRC sources have confirmed that there was a shooting attack in Dare on Saturday 11 September by about 50 Kopassus soldiers in which one unidentified East Timorese female refugee was killed during the shooting attack. An unidentified East Timorese man was wounded during the attack and was taken away by Kopassus soldiers. Despite internal steps taken to locate him, his whereabouts is unknown. Sources have also confirmed that a German priest, Fr. Albert Garim, was killed on Saturday night in Dare by Kopassus. It is believed the Indonesian soldiers made intimidating threats to return to Dare. The Indonesian soldiers are believed to be stationed only fifteen minutes away from Dare.

The refugees who fled the UNAMET compound two days ago are believed to have sought refuge in Dare. A majority of the refugees are women, children and elderly people. The situation of the refugees in Dare is extremely grave. There is no food available for the refugees and they have been forced to resort to eating roots, which have caused them to experience diarrhoea. There are also no sanitation facilities available and the threat of disease is imminent.

The ETHRC will be issuing press releases on the unfolding developments in Dare.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes/telegrams/express/airmail letters in English, Bahasa Indonesia or your own language:

* expressing concern for the safety of up to100,000 refugees in Dare, especially the unidentified male refugee who was taken away and is reported missing;
* expressing outrage at the killing of the female refugee and the ongoing intimidation of the refugee population in Dare;
* calling for humanitarian aid agencies to be guaranteed unrestricted access to the refugees in East Timor and in West Timor;
* calling for immediate evacuation under the protection of the United Nations of any East Timorese wanting to leave East Timor or Indonesia, and the provision of temporary refuge in Australia or other safe countries;
* calling for the United Nations to immediately take up its responsibility for East Timor and send forces to protect the East Timorese people, as Indonesia has forfeited the right to further involvement in East Timor;
* calling on the Australian, New Zealand, United States and other governments to immediately send an armed force to East Timor to protect the East Timorese people, with or without UN participation; and
* calling for immediate and unrestricted access to be allowed to all areas of East Timor for UN human rights monitors, international and local human rights organisations, in order to provide ongoing human rights monitoring, and in particular to conduct a full and impartial investigation of the recent violations committed by military backed militia; and
* calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for human rights violations against East Timorese civilians in East and West Timor.

SEND APPEALS TO:

1. 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

2. 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

3. MINISTER FOR DEFENCE FORCES General Wiranto Menteri Pertahanan Keamanan RI Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No 13-14 Jakarta 10110 INDONESIA Telephone: +62 21 366 184 Fax: +62 21 3845 178

4. RESORT MILITARY COMMAND (KOREM) Colonel Mohamed Noer Muis Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma Dili East Timor Faxes: +62 390 21 624 Telegrams: Colonel Muis, East Timor (Indonesia)

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

6. United Nations Secretary-General Secretary General Kofi Anan New York, NY 10017 USA Fax: +1 212 963 2155 E-mail: ecu@un.org Or: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch

Please also send appeals to:

* Diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country * Parliamentarians and the Foreign Ministry in your country

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY Check with the East Timor Human Rights Centre if sending appeals after October 27, 1999.

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