Subject: Yayasan HAK: Violence in Maliana and Los
Palos
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 21:52:13 +0800
From: evokata <evokata@cbn.net.id>Yayasan HAK (Legal Aid, Human Rights and
Justice Foundation) Jalan Gov. Serpa Rosa T-095 Farol, Dili Barat Timor Lorosae Telp. 0390
- 313323 Fax. 0390 - 313324
PRESS RELEASE
Forum for Unity, Democracy and Justice (FPDK) through its spokesperson, Florencio Mario
Vieira, released a press statement on Saturday, August 28, 1999. The two-page statement
was a response to the violence in Maliana and Lospalos on August 27, 1999.
FPDK described the violence in Memo area, Maliana district as an attack by a
pro-independence group on a pro-autonomy convoy: "The pro-independence group blocked
the convoy while carrying stones, arrows and firearms." According to the FPDK, the
leaders of the pro-independence group that blocked the road were Paulo Maia (Executive of
CNRT Bobonaro branch), Aniceto Guterres (Director of Yayasan HAK) and Francisco Martins
(Lecturer at the University of Timor Timur). Because of the incidents in Maliana and
Bobonaro that caused the loss of property and life, the FPDK stated that it "strongly
condemns the involvement of Yayasan HAK, as an official monitoring body, and demands
UNAMET to reconsider the accreditation granted to Yayasan HAK as a ballot observer in East
Timor."
Considering that the allegation made by the FPDK has no factual basis, Yayasan HAK
perceives the need to clarify some issues with regard to the FPDK's press statement:
1. Aniceto Guterres Lopes (Director of Yayasan HAK) on Friday, August 27, 1999 was at
the office of Yayasan HAK, Jln. Gov. Serpa Rosa T-095, Dili from morning until the end of
the day. 2. On that particular day, Aniceto Guterres Lopes received guests from several
institutions: (a) Raymond Folco, Member of Parliament from Ottawa, Canada (b) Rene
Cremonese, Consul General for Political Affairs from the Canadian Embassy in Indonesia and
Djasnur Sirait, a staff of Canadian Embassy in Indonesia (c) Two observers from Portugal:
Catarina Albuquerque and Patricia Galvão
Considering that FPDK's press statement was released to the mass media and might
mislead public opinion, Yayasan HAK would like to state that:
1. FPDK's press statement is a slander against Aniceto Guterres Lopes, SH as an
individual, and Yayasan HAK as a human rights organization; 2. UNAMET granted
accreditation to Yayasan HAK as a ballot observer, because the institution is regarded as
credible and reliable in carrying out its tasks of observation.
For the serious mistake committed by FPDK in its press statement, Yayasan HAK demands
that FPDK apologize to Aniceto Guteres Lopes and Yayasan HAK, and release the apology
through the mass media for three days in a row.
If FPDK does not fulfill this demand, Yayasan HAK will bring Florencio Mario Vieira and
FPDK to court for a case of slander.
Released in Dili August 28, 1999
Joaquim Fonseca Spokesperson
Back to August Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu |
