Subject: UA/1499 Pro-independence leaders persecuted
etc
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 14:45:59 -1000
From: ethrc <ethrc@minihub.org>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 Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin Director: Ana
Noronha
URGENT ACTION
10 September 1999
NAMES: Jose da Costa (also known as Mau Hudo) ) Disappeared 4-5 unidentified CNRT
leaders )
1 unidentified East Timorese refugee ) Death confirmed
27,000-45,000 East Timorese refugees ) Intimidation
VIOLATIONS: Disappearances/ Extra-judicial execution/ Intimidation
LOCATION: Atambua, Kupang, West Timor
Ref: UA14/99
The East Timor Human Rights Centre has received confirmation from reliable sources that
Jose da Costa (Mau Hudo), a CNRT leader, has been arrested by Indonesian police in Kupang
and his whereabouts is unknown. The ETHRC has also received unconfirmed reports that
another 4-5 unidentified CNRT leaders have also been arrested and is seriously concerned
for Jose da Costa (Mau Hudo) and the other leaders' safety. This represents a systematic
persecution of pro-independence leaders.
Also ETHRC has confirmed that an East Timorese refugee was shot dead yesterday,
Thursday, September 9, by combined militia and TNI forces in Atambua, West Timor. Sources
stated that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between militia and Indonesian
military. The militia and Indonesian military are roaming the streets of Atambua.
Today, militia and military shot in the market place in the centre of Atambua where
large numbers of refugees are congregated.
Refugees are suffering from widespread diarrhoea, malnutrition and disease, and food
and water are inadequate. Aid organisations do not have enough supplies. They are
currently able to visit refugee sites because they are under the protection of the church,
but are uncertain how long they can continue. The military and militia surround the
refugees.
Conservative estimates put the East Timorese refugees at 27,000, but sources believe
that there are up to 45,000 in the small town of Atambua, and a further 20,000-25,000 in
Kupang.
The East Timor Human Rights Centre can be cited about this information, but is
currently unable to give interviews as we are urgently trying to confirm other violations.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes/telegrams/express/airmail letters in English,
Bahasa Indonesia or your own language:
* expressing concern for the safety of Jose da Costa (also known as Mau Hudo) and the
other unconfirmed CNRT leaders;
* seeking assurances that Jose and the other leaders will not be tortured or killed;
* expressing outrage at the killing of an East Timorese refugee, and ongoing intimidation
of the refugee population in Atambua;
* calling for aid agencies to be guaranteed unfettered access to the refugees;
* calling for immediate evacuation of any East Timorese wanting to leave East Timor or
Indonesia, and the provision of temporary refuge in Australia or other safe countries;
* calling for the United Nations to immediately take up its responsibility for East Timor
and send forces to protect the East Timorese people, as Indonesia has forfeited the right
to further involvement in East Timor;
* calling on the Australian, New Zealand, United States and other governments to
immediately send an armed force to East Timor to protect the East Timorese people, with or
without UN participation; and
* 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, and in particular to conduct a full and
impartial investigation of the recent violations committed by military backed militia
* calling for the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the
deaths and intimidation of refugees in West 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 Mohamed Noer Muis Markas KOREM
164/Wiradharma Dili East Timor Faxes: +62 390 21 624 Telegrams: Colonel Muis, 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
6. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Anan New York, NY 10017 USA Fax: 1 212 963
2155 E-mail: ecu@un.org Or: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
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 October 22, 1999.
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