Hotline Asia Urgent Appeals -- UA990708(10)

Action Requested || Sample Letter || Background

Summary

Following the Indonesia government's January offer of independence for East Timor if the people of East Timor vote against autonomy, foreign ministers from both Indonesia and Portugal met in New York on May 5, 1999 to initial an agreement that provided for a referendum on the autonomy issue to be held on August 8, 1999. International monitors under the auspices of the United Nations will be sent to East Timor to supervise the referendum.

In the lead up to the ballot, the human rights situation remains precarious as tensions between pro-independence supporters and pro-integrationist paramilitaries increase. Observers believe that the upsurge in paramilitary activity, with the open support of the Indonesi a n Armed Forces (ABRI), is deliberate and is aimed at destablizing conditions in East Timor. As a result, innocent and defenseless East Timorese civilians have been intimidated, killed extra-judicially or abducted throughout East Timor during the last few months. In this connection, the UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan announced on 22 June that the referendum will be postponed for at least 2 weeks.

To ensure August's ballot takes place in a free and open atmosphere and the security of East Timorese be protected after the ballot, international pressure is required to help ensure that an already bad situation does not deteriorate further. Calls for the protection of East Timorese is urgently required.

Please write to the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations expressing your concern about the escalating violence against the East Timorese and call for:

• an immediate disarming and disbanding of the paramilitary groups in East Timor;

• the Indonesian Government to comply with the obligations under the agreement to ensure proper security required for the August's ballot to be held in a free and fair atmosphere;

• United Nations human rights monitoring to stop further abuses.

Sample Letter

Background

Since Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975, an estimated 200,000 East Timorese have died. Recent violent campaigns by pro-integrationist forces allegedly led or backed by Indonesian forces have already created about 20,000 refugees.

There are officially 13 militia groups in East Timor, one for each of the territory's 13 districts. But Western military analysts said the actual number could be as high as 20, many of them loosely organized and with some claiming as many as 5,000 members. Observers allege that paramilitary groups in East Timor have been created and armed by the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) who give both active and passive support. In some instances ABRI has joined in the attacks or has brought paramilitary groups into villages to search houses and harass villagers in an attempt to undermine support for independence. There have been reports as well that ABRI has provided pro-integrationist forces with transport and weapons and have allowed them to interrogate, arrest, torture and, in some cases extrajudicially execute people suspected of or were known to, support independence. ABRI has long been accused of actively supporting pro-integrationist forces against opponents of integration. New paramilitary groups were formed throughout East Timor in late 1998 and given much greater freedom of action. Prominent among new groups is Besi Merah Putih (BMP - the iron red and white, referring to the colors of the Indonesian flag) militia which is backed by the ABRI.

While both President Habibie and ABRI chief General Wiranto have claimed that they are committed to reform and support the right of the East Timorese to determine their political future, intimidation, violence and terror are on the rise. Since the start of April, various campaigns have been launched that have resulted in many deaths, severe injuries and destruction of property in different parts of East Timor - notably in Liquica, Ermera, Dili and Suai. At least 36 disappearances, 97 killings and 31 severe injuries since April have been reported as part of the campaign by the pro-integration para-military groups and the Indonesian military in the lead up to the August's ballot.

For example, around 25 to 45 civilians were killed on April 6 in a church of Liquica where as many as 2,000 civilians were seeking refugee from intimidation and violence caused by the para-military groups in neighbouring districts. On May 17 -18, twelve women were arrested in Ulmera village, Bazartete sub-district of Liquica because their husbands were accused of joining the East Timorese resistance movement. They have been arbitrarily detained, and subjected to continued forced labor and allegedly sexually abused. All were believed to be carried out by the pro-integration BMP militia.

In Atara village, Atsabe sub-district of Ermera, 100 kms south of Dili, 16 East Timorese males were shot dead before the Sunday Mass on the morning of 16 May. It was also reported that 21 villagers disappeared, their whereabouts unknown. Team Pancasila, the pro-integration militia was allegedly responsible.

UNCERTAIN SECURITY
Under the agreement between Indonesia, Portugal and the United Nations, Indonesia is solely responsible for security in the period leading to the UN-sponsored ballot. While the UN started deploying in May to prepare for the August ballot, the security situation remains unclear with the recent stoning by the pro-Indonesia militiamen of the UN office in Maliana on June 29. Furthermore, what happens after the August ballot is also not clear as there is the absence of a reassuring UN presence after August 31. By then the UN mandate in East Timor will have expired unless the UN Security Council decrees otherwise. It is believe that the continuous international pressure can end further violence before and after the ballot.

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