Subject: ANFREL Expresses Grave Concern On the East
Timor Situation
Date: Sun, 01 Aug 1999 11:32:52 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>ANFREL Expresses Grave Concern
On the East Timor Situation Prior to the August Popular Consultation
A five-member team of observers organized by the Asian Network for Free Elections
(ANFREL), a Bangkok-based network of human rights and electioning monitoring groups in
Asia conducted a pre-consultation observation mission in East Timor and Indonesia last
July 10 to 20, 1999 to assess the situation prior to the scheduled August 21 popular
consultation and to observe the on-going voter registration in East Timor and in Jakarta,
respectively.
The team, composed of monitors from Thailand, Philippines, Japan and Indonesia visited
offices of United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), the agency in-charge of
supervising the popular consultation, Peace and Stability Commission (KPS), met with
representatives of pro-integration and pro-independence groups, local organizations
working on human rights, local and international election monitoring organizations,
religious congregations and organizations working with internally displaced persons and
students. Besides Dili, the team also visited Los Pallos and Bacau in the eastern part of
the island. The team also spent a few days in Jakarta to observe voter registration and
meet with some East Timorese in the capital.
Based on the meetings and consultations held and actual observation conducted, the team
expresses the following concerns which need to be addressed immediately by authorities
concerned:
On the security situation
The reported incidents of militia attacks on the UN offices and personnel in Liquicia
and Mallana happened a few days before the team arrived in Dili. People interviewed said
that although the situation is a little bit better compared to the past months, still
nobody dare to stay late at night outside their homes because of fear. The team was
informed that a number of big businessmen had already left East Timor. A number of
districts besides Liquica and Mallana, remain sensitive areas as militia forces continue
to threaten the local population, creating fear among the people.
Along the border of East and West Timor, more troops were deployed in the area,
creating fear among the people living in the vicinity areas. Just before the group left,
the Suai incident happened, causing the death of one and serious injuries to four local
residents. The team was informed of the past cases of killings, torture, disappearances
and harassment of people identified with pro-independence movement by the groups and
individuals they interviewed.
Generally, the security situation is tense and uncertain. Although in some areas, it is
generally peaceful but it is obvious that people have deep fear of the government military
and police. This kind of atmosphere is obviously not conducive to holding a free and fair
polling, rather this would affect the willingness of people to come out to register and
vote. If even the security of the UNAMET personnel and international observers could not
be guaranteed, the ordinary people have reason to be afraid of their own security
especially after the polling when reprisal is most likely to take place against those who
voted in favor of independence. People expressed fear especially after the polling when
the UNAMET and international observers are no longer around and they have to bear the acts
of reprisal of the losing side. There is a need to address urgently the security situation
as this would undermine the people's right to exercise their free choice.
On the situation of internally displaced persons
The team was informed of the increasing number of internally displaced persons ranging
from 80,000 to 100,000 in different parts of East Timor both in the urban centers and
rural areas due to militarization. In Atambuan alone, an estimated 6,000 have fled to the
site and yet there is no registration of voters in the area. Aside from their miserable
situation of not having enough food and proper housing and sanitation, their rights to
register and vote would be deprived because they don't have or they lack the legal
documents to prove their real identity. The idea of returning to their villages where they
are supposed to register is most unlikely as they consider it a threat to their security
and lives.
On the rights of political prisoners
Hundreds of political prisoners languish in various detention centers in East Timor,
Bali, Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia. The team was informed that the detainees are
not informed of the requirements for registration and the procedures for both registration
and voting.
On East Timorese living outside East Timor
There is also quite a big number of East Timorese living outside East Timor. Most of
them went on exile after the Indonesian troops' occupation in 1975. Concentration of East
Timorese are found in Jakarta, Yogjakarta, Sumatra, Ujung Pandang in Indonesia; Darwin,
and Melbourne in Australia, Macau and Portugal. The team was informed that most people are
not well aware of the requirements and process related to the registration and voting.
Based on the Agreements of parties involved in the popular consultation, a 'secure
environment devoid of violence or other forms of intimidation is a pre-requisite for the
holding of a free and fair ballot in East Timor'. To the team's assessment, this
environment is not present in East Timor and therefore undermines the people's confidence
in exercising their free choice during the actual popular consultation.
ANFREL calls on the Indonesian Government to fulfill its resposibility under the May 5
Agreements to ensure the security of East Timorese people. The team believes that unless
the troops are withdrawn and the local militia are disarmed, there is no guarantee that
human rights violations, threats and intimidations will come to a halt. While there are
other requirements to achieve a conducive atmosphere for the holding of the polling, this
is a very important first step to ensure a less threatening atmosphere for the holding of
the popular consultation.
ANFREL believes that the Indonesian Government's responsibility can be best fulfilled
and its goodwill demonstrated by pulling out its troops from the territory and disarming
and disbanding the local militia.
Action on the numerous human rights violations need to be done to restore the people's
confidence and to lessen their fear and anxiety.
ANFREL calls for immediate action on the situation of internally displaced persons and
requests the authorities to allow them to register wherever they are.
Political prisoners should have access to information and be allowed to exercise their
right to register and vote.
East Timorese citizens living outside East Timor should also be informed of the
requirements, the place for registartion and voting and the procedures.
ANFREL appeals to the international community and to the media to keep their vigilance
in the monitoring of the situation in East Timor and in supporting the people of East
Timor in their exercise of their freedom to choose and determine their own fate and their
long search for justice and peace.
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