Subject: Yaysan HAK's report on Liquisa, April 7
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 09:41:31 -0400
From: raimata@worldnet.att.netYayasan HAK, the human rights NGO in Dili, has released
the following report on April 7 (East Timor time) regarding the recent attacks by the
paramilitary forces in Liquisa. We will just summarize the basic points and provide a
rough, quick translation.
During the first attack on April 5, four residents of Liquisa were killed by either the
paramilitary gang, Besi Merah Putih, or by Indonesian army soldiers. Ten houses were
burned down or destroyed. Eight of the wounded persons from Liquisa fled to Dili and are
now being treated at the Motael clinic and at the public hospital. The ABRI troops
involved in the attack were drawn from the Kodim 1638 Liquisa, BTT 143 and Koramil Maubara
and Liquisa.
The second attack on April 6 was much more serious. At 4pm the BMP and ABRI troops
surrounded the Liquisa church and threw hand grenades into it, killing 45 of the refugees
huddling inside. Five more persons were shot at the pastor's residence. The names of the
45 victims have been verified directly from the pastor of Liquisa, pastor Rafael Dos
Santos. This morning at 9am HAK tried to contact the pastor again and other reliable
sources but the phone connection was cut.
The thousands of refugees who had been taking refuge in the church since April 5 to
avoid attacks by BMP and ABRI troops are now scattered. As of this time, Liquisa city is
inaccessible. Nevertheless, Yayasan HAK, Kontras and church officials will try to go to
Liquisa to investigate the situation today (April 7).
HAK expresses the hope there will be intervention from solidarity groups in Indonesia
or other countries. They calculate that this attack from BMP which was supported by ABRI
will provoke retalitation from the pro-independence groups and Falintil. If there is such
a reaction, the number of victims will increase.
"TIDAK ADA DEMOKRASI DI INDONESIA TANPA PEMBEBASAN DI TIMOR LESTE"
FORTILOS Forum Solidaritas Untuk Rakyat Timor Timur Jl. Siaga II No.31, Pejaten Barat,
Jakarta 12510 Telp. (021)79192763 Fax. (021)79192519 e-mail: fortilos@indo.net.id
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