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PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/106/98 3 December 1998

Further information on UA 299/98 (ASA 21/102/98, 20 November 1998) and follow-up (ASA 21/103/98, 23 November 1998) - Fear for safety / Arbitrary arrests / Unlawful killings

EAST TIMOR Now known to be in police custody in Dili: Etelvina Maria Diaz, 20, [f] Vicentinha Fernandez, 22, [f] (previously referred to as Atina)

Believed killed: Vicente de Andrade, head of Taitudak village

Marcal, Taitudak village ] Alexio, Taitudak village ] Deulindo, Taitudak village ] Domingos Pereira, Mahakuidan Village ] Berikiak, Lurin sub-village ] all arrested Adriano, Lurin sub-village ] but some Duarte, Lurin sub-village ] now known Manuel Dias, Lurin sub-village ] to have Jose da Silva, Lurin sub-village ] been Alexandriano, Lurin sub-village ] released Florindo de Andrade, Lurin sub-village ] Patricio, teacher at Aituha village ] Filipe, Lurin sub-village ]

New names: Marcal Abel, 23 ] Marcelino Alves, 20 ]in police Alexio Diaz, 25 ]custody Longuinhos Xavier, 18 ]in Dili Filipe Fernandes, 29 ] Four others whose names are not known ]

Samuel da Costa, 18, student ]in unknown Otavio da Costa, 29 ]place of Salvador da Costa, 17, student ]detention

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has now been allowed into the area of Alas to investigate a number of reported extra-judicial executions and arrests alleged to have been carried out by the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) last month.

The ICRC has confirmed that four people were killed in the area of Alas, Manufahi District (previously listed as Same District), south of Dili, the capital of East Timor. The ICRC statement also noted that "houses and personal property had been destroyed" but did not confirm that a massacre had taken place.

Access to the area by other organizations still appears to be restricted however. On 3 December 1998, a group of East Timorese students and members of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT), Conselho Nacional da Resistencia Timorense, who had been given permission by the government to go to Alas to investigate the events, were reportedly forced to turn back after ABRI fired shots into the air on their arrival in Same. ABRI is reported to have stated that they thought the group was armed.

The number and identity of those still in detention are not known. The ICRC have visited 13 people in police custody in Dili and Same. Indonesia's Foreign Minister last week said that only eight people were being held in police custody. Human rights lawyers have confirmed that there are 11 people in police custody in Dili (see names above), including the two women named above (all 11 are now believed to have had access to independent legal counsel).

Twelve other people taken into custody, eight of whom were reportedly ill-treated, including being beaten, have now been released.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Serious human rights violations, including unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment are believed to be being carried out in East Timor by ABRI in the context of an intensive military operation to find those responsible for recent attacks by the armed resistance, the East Timorese National Liberation Army (Falintil). On 31 October, three Indonesian soldiers and an Indonesian civilian were detained and tied up by participants at a political meeting in Weberek, Manufahi District, at which Falintil members were present. While one soldier managed to escape (although he later died), the others were killed. During a Falintil attack on a military command in Alas on 9 November three members of ABRI were killed and 13 soldiers taken captive. A large number of weapons were also stolen. Eleven of these have since been released but two remain in Falintil custody.

Reports of up to 50 people having been killed by ABRI cannot be confirmed but at least two men are known to have been killed by the military.

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

- welcoming the access granted to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to enter the area of Alas to investigate recent events;

- expressing concern, however, at reports of intimidation of the group of students and representatives of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) who had gained permission to enter the area;

- urging that restrictions on access to Manufahi District for human rights monitors be lifted;

- asking the East Timorese authorities to carry out without delay a full and impartial investigation into the events in the District of Manufahi;

APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs) (note, fax tones can difficult to obtain)

Commander Resort Military Command (KOREM) 164/Wiradharma (covers East Timor) [Salutation: Dear Colonel Suratman] Colonel Tono Suratman Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma Dili East Timor Indonesia Telegrams: Colonel Suratman, East Timor, Indonesia Faxes: + 62 390 21 624

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 Gen. Wiranto Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.13-14 Jakarta 10110 Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 381 4535.

Minister Of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas S.H. 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 14 January 1998.

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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