| Subject: UN
Commission on Timor Atrocities Recommends Continued Inquiry
RIGHTS-EAST TIMOR: UN Commission
Recommends Continued Inquiry
By Gustavo Capdevila
GENEVA, Dec 14 (IPS) - The United Nations
commission sent to investigate reported human rights abuses in East Timor
reached the conclusion that the process should continue, and that those
charged with the alleged atrocities should be brought to justice.
The five-member commission sent the
initial results of its inquiry Tuesday to UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Mary Robinson.
A press release distributed by the United
Nations Tuesday stated that during its two-week stay in East Timor, the
commission collected testimony from witnesses who provided evidence of the
systematic use of intimidation and terror, which resulted in a large
number of killings and injuries.
The testimony gathered also gave evidence
of attacks on women, including rape. And the UN Transitional
Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) reported abuses committed against
its staff.
''The commmission saw for itself the
extent of destruction of property and interviewed many returnees who were
displaced. They spoke of the terror that had forced them to flee,'' stated
the press release.
Other witnesses told of the destruction
of evidence, including the removal of corpses from the sites of massacres.
The commission was set up by the High
Commissioner for Human Rights at the request of UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, in response to an original request by the UN Human Rights
Commission.
In a resolution adopted on Sep 27, the
Human Rights Commission denounced serious rights abuses in East Timor,
especially in the wake of the Aug 30 referendum in which an overwhelming
majority of Timorese voted for total independence of the territory, which
was occupied by Indonesia in 1975.
The Human Rights Commission stated in its
resolution that there was collusion between the pro-Indonesia militias and
members of the Indonesian armed forces and police in the repression
committed against the people of East Timor, and particularly against
independence activists.
The investigatory commission also heard
testimony pointing to the participation by the militias and Indonesian
army troops in the intimidation and terror, according to the document
released by the United Nations Tuesday.
''The members of the commission feel that
the individual's right to know the truth and to have an effective remedy
for violations of human rights must be given priority. The commission
further emphasizes the need to act against impunity,'' stated the press
release, which also stressed the need to act against impunity.
The five commission members unanimously
declared that ''the investigatory process into the allegations of
atrocities should be continued with a view to bringing those responsible
to justice.''
The commission members, Chairwoman Sonia
Picado Sotela of Costa Rica, Judith Sefi Attah of Nigeria, Justice A.M.
Ahmadi of India, Sir Mari Kapi of Papua New Guinea, and Sabine
Leutheusser- Schnarrenberger of Germany were in East Timor from Nov 25 to
Dec 8, when they returned to Geneva to draft the report to be submitted to
Annan. (END/IPS/tra-so/pc/ag/sw/99)
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