Subject: AI EXTRA 17/99 INDONESIA Possible
disappearance
Date: 11 Mar 99 10:25:33 -0500
From: UA E-Mail Incoming <UA%AI-UK@amnesty.org.uk>Paper reprints authorised.
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Contact: ua@amnesty.org.uk
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/19/99 11 March 1999
Further information on EXTRA 17/99 (ASA 21/07/99, 9 February 1999) - Risk of torture or
ill-treatment/Possible "disappearance"/extrajudicial execution
INDONESIA
Jamaluddin / Nurdin, 18 ] Irwansyahbin Usman, 22 ] Hasbi Saleh, 35 ] Irwanbin Matsyah,
24 ] Killed Jailani Muhammad, 22 ] Karimuddin Ibrahim, 20 ] Syaiful Bahri bin Yusuf, 22 ]
Samsul Qohar, 28 ] Al Gamar, 27 ] M Dahlan, 25 ] Injured M Amin, 30 ] Mustafa, 10 ]
24 others: possibly "disappeared"
The seven men named above are now known to have died when soldiers opened fire on
people making their way home from a meeting outside a military base (Koramil) at Idi Cut
in East Aceh on 3 February 1999. According to a local non-governmental organisation 24
people remain unaccounted for, though Amnesty International has not been able to verify
this.
Walidin Usman, 25, and Zamzami, 23, who were previously feared to have
"disappeared", have now returned home. At least five others were injured during
the incident.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
According to reports, a crowd of people were making their way home from a meeting,
which witnesses say was connected with Aceh Merdeka (Free Aceh), a separatist movement.
They were first pelted with stones from the direction of the military post at Idi Cut. At
around 1.00 am, shots were fired indiscriminately into the crowd, again from the direction
of the military post.
Eyewitnesses have said that those killed or injured were thrown into military trucks
and taken away by members of Linud 100 (an air force unit). An estimated 58 people were
taken to East Aceh police headquarters in Langsa and released on 5 February.
Witnesses apparently later saw military personnel putting the injured into sacks
weighed down with stones and throwing into the river at Arakundo bridge. The bodies of
Irwansyahbin Usman, Hasbi Saleh, Irwanbin Matsyah, Jailani Muhammad, Karimuddin Ibrahim
and Syaiful Bahri bin Yusuf were found in the Arakundo river between 3 and 5 February
1999.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail
letters in English, Indonesian or in your own language:
- urging the authorities to clarify the whereabouts of an estimated 24 people
unaccounted for after the incident outside the military base at Idi Cut on 3 February
1999;
- asking the authorities to undertake an immediate and impartial investigation into the
incident and to ensure that fully qualified investigators, including forensic experts, are
given access to investigate the killings.
APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs)
MILITARY COMMANDER REGION I/BUKIT BARISAN (covers North & West Sumatra and Aceh)
Major General Abdul Rahman Gaffar Pangdam I/Bukit Barisan Markas Besar KODAM I Medan
Sumatra Utara Indonesia
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 Jusuf Habibie Presiden RI Istana Negara Jl. Veteran Jakarta Pusat Indonesia
Fax: + 62 21 526 8726 / 380 5511 / 345 7782 Telex: 44283 BIGRA IA; 44469 DEPLU IA
Telegram: President Habibie, Jakarta, Indonesia
Gen. Wiranto Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.13-14 Jakarta
10110 Indonesia Fax: + 62 21 381 4535
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 22 April 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
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