Subject: AI UA092/99 EAST TIMOR Fear for safety
Date: 28 Apr 99 19:10:07 -0400
From: UA E-Mail Incoming <UA%AI-UK@amnesty.org.uk>Paper reprints authorised.
Electronic redistributors + + must request permission from Amnesty International. + +
Contact: ua@amnesty.org.uk
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/37/99
UA 92/99 Fear for safety 28 April 1999
EAST TIMOR Several human rights organizations, including Yayasan HAK, Fokupers, Kontras
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of human rights defenders
in East Timor, who are being intimidated, apparently by paramilitary and military units.
On 28 April 1999 several non-governmental human rights organizations held a meeting
with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Derek Fatchett, in the offices
of Yayasan HAK, Human Rights Foundation. They urged the British government to pressure
Indonesia to end human rights violations and to allow international human rights
monitoring in East Timor. The groups then issued a joint public statement reiterating
these demands. Groups at the meeting included Yayasan HAK,; Fokupers, the Communication
Forum for Timorese Women; Kontras, the Committee for the "Disappeared" and
Victims of Violence; Gertak, East Timorese Women's Movement Against Violence; Dewan
Solidaritas Mahasiswa Timor Timur (DSMTT), East Timorese Students Solidarity Council;
Grupo Feto Foin Sae Timor Lorosae (GFFT), Timorese Female Youth Group; and Posko Bantuan
Darurat untuk Pengungsi Internal, Command Post for Emergency Relief for Internal Refugees.
At around 7 pm a group of five or six men - some in military uniform - came to the
Yayasan HAK office. They left shortly afterwards, but another group - not in uniform -
arrived at 9.30 pm and stayed for around 20 minutes. The identity of both groups is not
clear but they are either from the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) or paramilitary units
operating with ABRI support. It seems they intended to intimidate Yayasan HAK and the
other organizations who had been at the meeting.
Several human rights organizations, and people working with them, including Yayasan HAK
director Aniceto Guterres and deputy director Ze Luis de Oliveira, are believed to be on
lists of people and organizations compiled by paramilitary units as possible targets.
Concerns for human rights monitors and supporters of independence are also raised by
brochures circulated in Dili by a paramilitary group called Darah Merah, Red Blood. These
say that the group will begin an operation in Dili on 1 May to "destroy"
pro-independence groups in East Timor. Similar threats have in the past been followed by
serious human rights violations. Amnesty International believes that this threat should be
taken seriously, and that the Indonesian Government should take steps to prevent
paramilitary attacks on supporters of independence and human rights defenders.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 5 April, paramilitary groups, supported by ABRI, have carried out arbitrary
detentions, torture and unlawful killings during violent attacks in several towns across
East Timor, in an attempt to seek out supporters of independence. At least 18, and
possibly many more, people were killed in Liquisa on 6 April when paramilitary units -
backed up by ABRI - attacked a church where around 2000 local residents had sought refuge
from earlier paramilitary assaults.
Since 17 April at least 14 people and possibly many more are believed to have been
killed in Dili by paramilitary units. Similar operations are taking place in other towns,
including Suai, Liquisa and Ermera. There are continuing reports of arbitrary detentions,
unlawful killings and "disappearances", including the killing of seven men in
Liquisa since 21 April. Paramilitary road-blocks and threats are preventing confirmation
of these reports.
Despite the signing of a peace agreement on 21 April between ABRI, the National Council
of Timorese Resistance (CNRT), the paramilitaries and the political groups that support
integration, the situation in Dili remains tense. Paramilitary units are still visible on
the streets. There are new reports that they will launch another operation to seek out
supporters of independence from 28 April through to the beginning of May. Supporters of
independence and human rights monitors, many of whom remain in hiding, are still at risk
of arrest or violent attacks.
The Indonesian authorities say they have arrested 15 members of paramilitary units for
their involvement in attacks since 17 April.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in
Bahasa Indonesia or English or your own language:
- urging the authorities to take immediate steps to protect human rights workers from
threats, intimidation or violent attacks by paramilitary or military units;
- urging the authorities to investigate any threats against human rights organization
and to bring those responsible to justice;
- in view of the threat issued by Darah Merah, urging the authorities to take steps to
prevent paramilitary attacks on supporters of independence;
- urging the authorities to disarm and disband all paramilitary groups in East Timor.
APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs)
MINISTER OF DEFENSE AND SECURITY:
Gen. Wiranto [Salutation: Dear Minister] Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan Jl. Medan
Merdeka Barat No.13-14 Jakarta 10110 Indonesia Fax: + 62 21 381 4535/ 384 5178
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: Embassy of Indonesia, 38 Grosvenor Square,
London W1X 9AD. Fax: 0171 491 4993
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
PRESIDENT:
President Jusuf Habibie Presiden RI Istana Negara Jl. Veteran Jakarta Pusat Indonesia
Fax: + 62 21 526 8726 / +62 21 380 5511/+62 21 345 7782 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 9 June 1999.
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
Back to April Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
