Subject: 25 to 45 East Timorese people unlawfully
killed
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 06:01:06 +0000 ( )
From: ethrc@minihub.org Precedence: bulk
URGENT ACTION April 12 1999
NAMES: Between 25 to 45 East Timorese people unlawfully killed, 13 of
whom have been identified.=20 Remaining victims are yet to be confirmed. 2 East Timorese
people injured in the same incident have been identified.
AND: The following have been identified as being injured in an earlier incident:
1. Manuel Flores, 23, fisherman
2. Tomas de Jesus, 26, farmer
3. Francisco Xavier, 26, farmer
4. Jaimito dos Santos, 26, farmer
5. Jose Cerilio dos Santos, 17, student
6. Manuel Caldeira, 27, farmer
7. Joao da Silva Aleixo, farmer
8. Paulina de Jesus, 21 housewife
9. Crisanto Oliveira, 23=20
VIOLATIONS: Unlawful killings/ "Shootings"/ Ill-treatment /Torture
LOCATIONS: Hamlet of Fatubelete, the village of Vatubou, sub-district of Maurara and
Mauboke border between Maubara and Liquica, East Timor
Ref: UA 2/99 The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is seriously concerned about
the deteriorating situation in East Timor which has resulted in further unlawful killings
and serious injuries, this time in the district of Liquica.
Reliable sources in East Timor have reported that on April 6, members of the Besi Merah
Putih (para-military group) and Indonesian troops killed between 25 to 45 civilians with
guns and hand grenades. Bishop Belo has confirmed that 25 dead bodies have been found. The
killings took place in the church of Liquica where as many as 2000 civilians were seeking
refuge from intimidation and violence at the hands of para-military groups in neighbouring
districts. A further 5 civilians were killed at a priest's residence in the town.
The following are the names of those killed:
Felisberto dos Santos
Jacinto da Costa,=20
Agostinho dos Santos
Ilidio dos Santos,=20
Laurindo da Costa Goncalves
Gil Tiago,=20
Herminio (no surname), aged 34,
Victor (no surname)
Francisco, aged 25, (no surname)
Augusto Mouzinho
Julio, (no surname) aged 25
Manuel Lisboa=20
Joanico de Sa Freitas
Raimiro dos Santos Ximenes, and Lucas Soares have been identified as two of those
injured in the same incident.
The ETHRC believes incidents leading up to the killings began on 4 April at 7.00am with
provocation and a shooting attack on civilians from the militia group, Besi Merah Putiih
and supported by the military, in the Hamlet of Fatubelete, the village of Vatubou,
sub-district of Maurara and Mauboke border between Maubara and Liquica.
This attack left eight people with severe injuries and unconfirmed reports of deaths.
Manuel Flores has sustained injuries to both knees and the possibility of severed nerves
in the knee. Tomas de Jesus was injured in the lower abdomen and has bladder damage.
Francisco Xavier has sustained abdominal and intestinal damage. Jaimito dos Santos has
injuries to his left leg and his right hand has been broken. All four men are seeking
operations in the government hospital in Dili. Jose Cerlio dos Santos has injuries to his
left leg. Manuel Caldiera and Joao da Silva Alexio both have broken left hands. Paulina de
Jesus, carrying a three-month-old baby, was injured due to having her back and eyelids
sliced with a bollo (machete). These five people are receiving treatment at a Catholic
Policlinic in Dili. Crisanto Oliveira was tortured by members of KODIM (District Military
Command)
The ETHRC is continuing to make inquiries about the killings and will issue further
reports when claims have been confirmed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes/telegrams/express/airmail letters in English,
Bahasa Indonesia or your own language:
* Expressing concern at the escalation of violence in East Timor, in particular, the
violations perpetrated by civilian militia groups which have been armed and trained by the
Indonesian military; * Expressing particular concern at the recent violations perpetrated
by members of Indonesian military and the para-military group, Besi Merah Putih, in the
Hamlet of Fatubelete, the village of Vatubou, sub-district of Maurara and Mauboke border
between Maubara and Liquica. * Calling for immediate and continuing access to be allowed
to all areas of East Timor for UN human rights monitors and international and local human
rights organizations, in order to provide ongoing human rights monitoring, and in
particular to conduct a full and impartial investigation of the recent violations in
Liquica and neighbouring districts; * Requesting the government of Indonesia to take steps
to immediately disarm all civilian militia groups in East 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=20 Telegrams:
President Habibie, Jakarta, Indonesia E-mail: habibie@ristek.go.id
2. RESORT MILITARY COMMAND (KOREM) Colonel Tono Suratman Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma
Dili East Timor Faxes: +62 390 21 624=20 Telegrams: Colonel Suratman, East Timor
(Indonesia)
3. MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor) General Syahrir MS
Pangdam IX/Udayana Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana Denpasar, Bali INDONESIA Telephone: +62
361 228 095 Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
ALSO SEND COPIES TO:
4. 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 21 May,1999 ENDS/
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