From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Date: 01 Oct 92 10:24 PDT
Subject: URGENT: Hounding and arrests
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476700571:000:3285
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Oct  1 10:24:00 1992


From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: URGENT: Hounding and arrests

/* Written  6:12 pm  Sep 30, 1992 by gn:tapol in cdp:reg.easttimor */
URGENT ACTION REQUIRED:  
Source: Protected (Indonesia)                                    
30 September 1992

ARRESTS AND HOUNDING OF EAST TIMORESE CITIZENS
  Sources in indonesia tell that eight East Timorese eye-witnesses
to the Santa Cruz massacre in November last year, who have been in
hiding in Jakarta since late August, are being hunted down by
Indonesian security forces. The names known are Filipe R Pereira,
Jose Manuel de Sousa, Clementino F Oliveira, Nelson A Baptista,
Ventura V Conceicao, Mateus Brito Ximenez, Profirio da C Oliveira. 
The eighth may be Laurindo Albino Lourdes.
  These eight are in extreme danger, confirmed by the fact that
members of their families, living and working in East Timor, have
been arrested. It is thought that they are being interrogated as to
the whereabouts of their relatives. One of the parents is Ms Maria
Branca (mother of Laurindo Albino Lourdes above and wife of Albino
Lourdes a political prisoner in Cipinang prison since 1984). Others
who have been arrested in this connection are Mr Gaspar and
Agostinho Pereira. Agostinho Pereira, brother of Felipe, was
arrested at Dili airport in early September and beaten by
Indonesian security forces so badly that blood was pouring from his
ears. The arrest and beating was in order to discover the
whereabouts of Filipe and the other friends.
  These eight people in Jakarta and their families in East Timor
people are in imminent and exteme danger. From the past behaviour
of Indonesian troops and the beatings and arrests suffered by
members of the eight's families, if the eight are detained by the
Indonesian troops, they are at risk of ill-treatment and even
torture.
  We are asking everyone to lobby their Government to take action
to end the continuous hounding and intimidation of the East
Timorese people by Indonesian army and security forces. In
particular, we urge you ask your government to urge their country
embassy in Jakarta to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of the
eight who are being hunted down as witnesses of the Santa Cruz
Massacre. The eight must be given sanctuary against the threats of
ill-treatment and wrongful imprisonment by the Indonesian security
forces. 
  You could also urge your Government to intervene on behalf of the
mother and relatives of the eight who are being interrogated as
hostages.  The detention of members of the families of the eight is
wholly unjustified and contrary to recognised universal human
rights.  Actions of this sort are intended to intimidate and
frighten the eight as well as people in East Timor.  The holding of
innocent people as "hostages" must be condemned and the release of
these three demanded immediately, with a guarantee that they will
not be intimidated in the future.
  On 22 September, Douglas Hurd (UK Secretary of State) made a
statement to the United Nations General Assembly in New York
representing the UK presidency of the EC.  In his long statement
which covered many issues, he condemned the actions of Indonesia in
East Timor.  More information on this statement will follow, but
the position of the EEC could be mentioned in letters.