Subject: UA 6/99 Killings/Disapperances in Atara
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 16:25:45 -1000
From: ethrc <ethrc@minihub.org>Precedence: bulk
EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE 124 Napier St Fitzroy 3065 Australia PO BOX 1413
Collingwood 3066 Australia Tel: +61 3 9415 8225 Fax: +61 3 9415 8218 E-mail:
ethrc@minihub.org Interim Director: Ms Kathleen Maltzahn Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin
URGENT ACTION May 28 1999
NAMES: 16 confirmed as killed Jose Lisu Joao Sarmento Abel de Jesus Sidoni Leo (30)
Urbano Pereira Paulo dos Reis Rogerio Talo Aci (25) Agostinho de Jesus (34) Armando (no
surname) (26) Jose Justiano (30) Romeo (no surname) 25 Tomas (no surname) 21 Urbano
Gonsalves (35) Abel Gonsalves (25) Paulo de Jesus (20) Joao Loe Mali (40)
AND: 21 confirmed as disappeared, believed to be killed: Manuel Oliveria (50) Joao
Ati-Lelo (35) Geraldo dos Reis (26) Raimondo Leo (25) Alberto de Araujo (21) Miguel de
Jesus (24) Clementino (no surname) (18) Afonso Guterres (28) Laurenco do Rego (25) Valenti
(no surname) (23) Carlos (no surname) (28) Helder Sanches (24) Rogerio de Araujo (18)
Calisto dos Reis (24) Joao Leto-Bere (23) Joao Reis (34) Luis Gonsalves (21) Jose
Gonsalves (27) Jakarias (no surname) (24) Joaquin (no surname) (24) Moniz da Silva (28)
VIOLATIONS: Unlawful killings / Disappearances
LOCATIONS: Atara village, Atsabe sub-district, Ermera district, East Timor
Ref: UA 6/99
The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) has received reliable information that
sixteen East Timorese males have been confirmed as killed on May 16 in the village of
Atara, located 100 kms south of Dili. These men were shot dead after an early morning raid
on the village. An ETHRC source has alleged that the pro-integration militia group, Team
Pancasila, was responsible for the Atara killings. It is also alleged that members of the
local ABRI forces supported Team Pancasila in the raid. It is also reported that another
21 people have disappeared, possibly killed, in the same attack and the ETHRC is making
every attempt to confirm the whereabouts of these people.
Newspapers report the raid and subsequent killings in Atara took place as the people of
the village were getting ready to celebrate the morning Mass. Some villagers ran from
their houses towards the coffee plantation where some people were shot. Also seven houses
were burned and destroyed. The following five people have been confirmed as having their
houses burned; they are Joao Atilelo, Antonio Bertana, Fernando do Rego, Sisto Monis and
Manuel Oliveria.
An ETHRC source has confirmed that access to the area of Atara has been made difficult
because the military commander, from neighbouring Ermera district, ordered the members of
the militia and military to destroy two bridges. With the destruction of these bridges,
United Nations personnel have not been able to inquire about the case.
Background Information These killings are part of the carefully orchestrated, on-going
campaign of terror and intimidation perpetrated by the pro-integration militia in the lead
up to the August ballot. Since the beginning of April 1999, there have been similar
campaigns resulting in many deaths, severe injuries and destruction of property in other
parts of East Timor, most notably, Liquica, Dili and Suai. The ETHRC has reported
approximately 36 disappearances, 97 killings and 31 severe injuries since April. It is
believed these are conservative figures and that the figures will rise with further
investigation.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes/telegrams/express/airmail letters in English,
Bahasa Indonesia or your own language:
· Seeking clarification of the whereabouts of the above-mentioned 21 East Timorese
people reported as missing; · Expressing particular concern at the recent human rights
violations perpetrated by members of the Indonesian military and the para-military group,
Team Pancasila, in the village of Atara; · Calling for immediate and unrestricted access
to be allowed to all areas of East Timor for UN human rights monitors, international and
local human rights organisations, in order to provide ongoing human rights monitoring, ·
Calling on the government of Indonesia to conduct a full and impartial investigation of
the recent violations committed by military backed armed militia and to prosecute those
responsible for human rights violations to the fullest extent of the law, and · Calling
on 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 Telegrams: President
Habibie, Jakarta, Indonesia E-mail: habibie@ristek.go.id
2. 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
3. MINISTER FOR DEFENCE FORCES General Wiranto Menteri Pertahanan Keamanan RI Jl. Medan
Merdeka Barat No 13-14 Jakarta 10110 INDONESIA Telephone: +62 21 366 184 Fax: +62 21 3845
178
4. RESORT MILITARY COMMAND (KOREM) Colonel Tono Suratman Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma
Dili East Timor Faxes: +62 390 21 624 Telegrams: Colonel Suratman, East Timor (Indonesia)
5. MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor) Major General Adam Damiri
Pangdam IX/Udayana Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana Denpasar, Bali INDONESIA Telephone: +62
361 228 095 Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
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 July 9,1999
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