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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 Director: Ms Maria Brett Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin

URGENT ACTION Progress Report 24 July 1998

NAMES: Januario Freitas, 22 ) Tortured, hospitalised and detained at POLRES, Dili

Abilio Vicente, 26 ) Tortured, hospitalised and later released Olandino Oliveira, 36 )

Eugenio Sousa, 27 ) Tortured then released Marito (no surname), 26 ) Serafin de Jesus Ribeiro, 23 ) Augusto Pinto, 25 ) Esaias, 16 )

Carlito Guterres, 29 ) Detained, tortured and later released Fernando Pereira, 25 )

VIOLATION: Arbitrary Detention / Torture

LOCATION: Dili, East Timor

Ref: UA 12/98 PR Previous report: UA 12/98

The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) has received additional information in relation to three East Timorese men, Januario Freitas, Abilio Vicente and Olandino Oliveira, who were injured and detained at the Wirahusada military hospital in Dili on 11 July 1998. (See UA 12/98 for details).

Sources have confirmed that the reason the three men were hospitalised was to receive treatment for serious injuries sustained when they were subjected to torture by members of the Indonesian military. Abilio Vicente and Olandino Oliveira were released on 22 July while Januario Freaitas was handed over to police at the Dili POLRES (Police Resort), where he is still in detention. It is not known if charges have been brought against him.

The torture of the three men is believed to be related to the torture on the same day of another seven East Timorese men. Eugenio Sousa, Marito (no surname), Serafin de Jesus Ribeiro, Augusto Pinto and 16 year old Esaias, were tortured by members of the Indonesian military at the Beto hamlet in Comoro, Dili, then allowed to go free. Another two East Timorese youths, Carlito Guterres and Fernando Pereira, were arrested by the military and tortured while in detention at POLRES in Dili. On 12 July, they were released with orders to report daily to the authorities. (See UA 12/98 for full details).

Concerns are still held for the safety of Januario Freitas as he remains at risk of further torture and ill-treatment, especially if he is not allowed access to independent legal counsel, to members of his family and to humanitarian assistance.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send faxes/telegrams/express or airmail letters in English, Bahasa Indonesia or your own language: * Seeking details of the charges (if any) against Januario Freitas and calling for his immediate and unconditional release if he has not been charged with a recognisable offence under existing laws. * Seeking assurances that Januario Freitas will be allowed immediate access to independent legal representation and to members of his family, and that he will not face torture or ill-treatment in detention but will be treated humanely and in accordance with international standards. * Expressing concern that Januario Freitas, Abilio Vicente, Olandino Oliveira, Eugenio Sousa, Marito (no surname), Serafin de Jesus Ribeiro, Augusto Pinto, Esaias, Carlito Guterres and Fernando Pereira were subjected to torture by members of the Indonesian military. * Calling on the Indonesian authorities to conduct a full and proper investigation in to the torture allegations, ensuring that the perpetrators are charged under the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) and face criminal trials and that they receive sentences reflecting the seriousness of the crimes. * Urging the government of Indonesia to ensure that East Timorese civilians will not be targeted for arrest, torture and "disappearance" because of their non-violent political activities.

SEND APPEALS TO:

1. 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

2. CHIEF OF POLICE FOR EAST TIMOR Colonel Atok Rismanto Kapolda Timor Timur Dili, East Timor INDONESIA Telegrams: Kapolda, Dili, East Timor

ALSO SEND COPIES TO:

3. 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

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 4 September 1998

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