BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific

March 23, 2010

Almost 400 East Timorese Refugees In Indonesian To Seek Asylum In Portugal

Text of report by Indonesian newspaper Media Indonesia website on 17 March

[Unattributed article: 'Ratusan Eks Pengungsi Timtim Minta Suaka ke Portugal']

A group of 396 refugees from East Timor who are still living at the Tuapukan Village refugee camp in Kupang Timor Sub-district, Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, are planning to submit applications for asylum to Portugal.

According to the refugees, they have not been provided with housing or financial assistance by the Indonesian Government.

"We are international refugees. Because the Indonesian Government is not able to handle the refugees who remain at the camp, it would be better to hand the issue to a third country," said the group's representative Antonio Fretes on 17 March 2010.

Source: Media Indonesia, Jakarta, in Indonesian 17 Mar 10

Back March 2010 Menu        
World Leaders Contact List
Main Postings Menu