Subject: SOLID-NET: Human rights abuses in Timor
have intensified
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 21:06:02 GMT
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
SOLID-NET Diterbitkan oleh SOLIDAMOR Solidaritas untuk Penyelesaian Damai Timor Leste
Solidarity for Peace in East Timor Jl. Pramuka Jaya Sari No. 9 Jakarta Pusat Telp. (62-21)
422 4079, 422 6348. Faks. (021) 422 4079 E-mail: solidmor@centrin.net.id;
solidmor@mega.net.id
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN EAST TIMOR HAVE INTENSIFIED Translated by TAPOL
Jakarta, Solid-Net (18/12)
Human rights abuses in East Timor have intensified during the past two months. They
have taken the form of violence against the civilian population.
This was the conclusion reached by Canadian ambassador Kenneth Songuist, according to
Media Indonesia on 16 December, during a visit to East Timor.
Florentino Sarmento, head of the National Human Rights Commission office in East Timor,
concurred with this conclusion, who added: 'The widespread violence in East Timor has
resulted in much loss of life, particularly among the civilian population.'
During his visit to East Timor, Ambassador Songuist had the chance to speak by phone to
Taur Matan Ruak, commander of Falintil, the armed resistance. Speaking through Manuel
Carrascalao who acted as interpreter, Matan Ruak said that Falintil is continuing to fight
for independence for East Timor and would continue to do so for as long as it takes. Even
so, the Falintil commander. speaking in Tetum, said that the East Timorese fighters were
at present devoting greater attention to the diplomatic struggle.
The Canadian ambassador was also reported as saying that he fully understood the
intention of Matan Ruak to continue to struggle for the aspirations of the people of East
Timor.
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign 111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey
CR7 8HW, UK Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322 email: tapol@gn.apc.org Campaigning to
expose human rights violations in Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
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