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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