Hotline Asia Urgent Appeals -- UA981203(9)

Action Requested || Sample Letter || Background

Summary

From 10 to 16 November 1998, 50 East Timorese were alleged to have been extra-judicially killed by members of the Indonesian military (ABRI). The executions took place during a military operation in the sub-district of Alas in the south of East Timor. The military operation has also resulted in up to 30 East Timorese people who have disappeared or have been arrested. The current whereabouts of most of the detainees is unknown. It is believed that the ABRI forces responsible for the military operation included personnel from battalions 315, 744, 745, marine forces, Gaurda Penculik, Black Horse Mobile Brigade and Hansip (East Timorese recruited into the Indonesian military).

Please send polite letters to Indonesian Government and expressing:

1. your concern about the gross Human Rights violations in the Alas sub-district in mid November which resulted in:
* the extrajudicial execution of 50 people;
* the disappearance, arrest and incommunicado detention of 30 people;
* burning of 30 homes;
2. that the detainees:
* should not be subjected to any form of torture or ill-treatment;
* should be allowed to access legal representation, family members and humanitarian assistance;
3. that the authorities:
* should conduct a full and impartial investigation into the incidents; and
* should bring those responsible to justice.

SEND LETTERS TO:

PRESIDENT YUSUF HABIBIE
Istana Negara, Gedung Binagraha, Jl. Veteran, Jakarta Pusat, INDONESIA; Faxes: 62-21-345 7782

c.c. copies to:

1. MILITARY COMMANDER RESORT MILITARY COMMAND
Colonel Tono Suratman, Markas KOREM 164/ Wiradharma, Dili, East Timor (Indonesia)
2. SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa
Jl Latuharhary No 4 B, Menteng Jakarta Pusat, INDONESIA; Fax: 62-21-392 5227
3. Diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country

Sample Letter

Background

It is believed ABRI forces launched the operation in Alas in retaliation for an attack on 9 November by Falintil on members of the military. During that attack, three Indonesian soldiers were killed and 13 taken captive, 11 of whom have since been released.

Human rights violations often occur in East Timor when the military forces carry out operations. Concerns have already been raised internationally. President Habibie announced that troop numbers in the territory have been reduced but the total number of Indonesian security personnel, including paramilitary units, is approximately 21,600.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS
On 13 November ABRI forces attacked the village of Taitudak, arresting Vicente Xavier, the village chief, and four other unidentified young people. They were taken to the village of Barike where they were shot dead. The bodies were loaded onto trucks and taken away to be buried by the military. In a report from the Dili-based newspaper Suara Timor Timur, the Indonesian military chief of East Timor, Colonel Tono Suratman, confirmed the death of Vicente Xavier, claiming that the village chief had been one of the masterminds behind the Falintil (the military wing of the East Timor independence movement, Fretilin) attacks on the military that happened on 9 November.

To date, only fourteen of the 50 East Timorese people killed during the military operations from 10 to 16 November, have been identified.

DISAPPEARANCES / POSSIBLE ARBITRARY DETENTIONS
On 15 November, ABRI forces attacked the village of Taitudak again and the village of Betanu. In total, 30 villagers were arrested or disappeared. Some of the arrested were held incommunicado. Their current whereabouts is unknown and they are at serious risk of ill-treatment. There are many reports of Timorese detainees being routinely subjected to severe torture by the Indonesian military, especially if they were denied access to independent legal representation and humanitarian assistance.

(A) Two young nieces of Vicente Xavier (the executed village chief of Taitudak), were taken to KODIM 1634 (District Military Headquarters) in Same. Their names are:
1. Etelvina
2. Atina.

(B) Five were believed to be arrested by the military, under suspicion of links with Falintil attacks which happened on 9 November. They are:
1. Eduardo Magalhaes
2. Selcio Magalhaes
3. Victor da Costa
4. Miguel da Costa
5. Jaime da Costa

(C) Eleven were arrested in their homes in the villages of Taitudak and Betanu on 16 November by military personnel. They are:
1. Cursius da Costa, 23yrs, farmer, Taitudak village
2. Bensiol da Costa, 16yrs, student, Taitudak village
3. Januario da Costa Franco, 14yrs, Taitudak village
4. Duarte da Costa Fernandes, 23yrs, farmer, Taitudak village
5. Egidio da Costa, 23yrs, student, Taitudak village
6. Tobias (married), 28yrs, primary school teacher, Taitudak village
7. Jako'o (married), 35yrs, primary school teacher, Taitudak village
8. Alvitu (married), 29yrs, primary school teacher, Taitudak village
9. Acacio Conceicao, 27yrs, park ranger, Betanu village
10.Hermenegildo, teacher, Betanu village
11.S. Alves, 40yrs, Betanu village

(D) Another twelve people were reported as either arrested or persecuted. It is not clear whether these people are in detention or whether they have gone into hiding for fear of persecution:

1. Adroaldo Marques
2. Albino Fernandes
3. Antonio Xavier 23yrs
4. Augusto Fernandes
5. Joao Corte-Real
6. Joao Pachero
7. Luis Corte-Real 19yrs
8. Mateus Tilman
9. Sancha Maria 19yrs (female)
10. Tobias Amaral
11. Vicente (no surname)
12. Vicente (no surname)

According to media reports, soldiers also burnt 30 homes during the military operation. As a result of the military operation in Alas sub-district, many villagers were frightened of further possible extra-judicial execution, arrest and detention and have fled to the surrounding forests or taken refuge at their local Catholic parishes.

Please remember to send copies of your letters to Hotline Asia for monitoring purpose.
Thank you for Your Continued Support!!