From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: AI: EAST TIMOR Arrests
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 05:05:02 GMT

/** reg.easttimor: 322.3 **/
** Written  9:25 pm  Dec 10, 1992 by gn:rmitchellai in cdp:reg.easttimor **
Subject: AI FI366/92 EAST TIMOR Arrests

/* Written  5:26 pm  Dec 10, 1992 by rmitchellai in gn:ai.uan */
/* ---------- "AI FI366/92 EAST TIMOR Arrests" ---------- */
EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: ASA 21/24/92
                                   Distr: UA/SC       
 
                                    10 December 1992      
 
Further information on UA 366/92 (ASA 21/17/92, 23 November
1992) - and follow-ups: ASA 21/19/92 of 24 November 1992, ASA
21/20/92 of 26 November 1992, ASA 21/21/92 of 30 November 1992
and ASA 21/23/92 of 4 December 1992 - Legal concern/fear of
torture/fear of "disappearance"
 
INDONESIA/EAST TIMOR:  Xanana Gusmao, 45 
                       Rufina Conceicao Araujo (female), 74 
                       Augusto Pereira, 43           ) husband and 
                       Alianca de Araujo (female), 40) wife 
                       Ligia de Araujo (female), 22 
                       Jorge Manuel Araujo Serrano, 21 
                       Regina Conceicao Araujo Serrano, (female), 18 
                       Francisco Almeida Araujo, 17 
                       Armandina Gusmao dos Santos ) relatives of
                       Gilman A. Exposto dos Santos) Xanana Gusmao 
                       
                      Olandina Caeiro Alves (female) 
                       Oscar Lima 
                       Americo
 
                       Joachim Gusmao Reis, 23 ) relatives of 
                       Sandra Gusmao Reis, 21  ) Xanana Gusmao 
                       Victor 
                       Macario 
                       and at least three others     
 
 The Indonesian Government permitted representatives of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit Xanana
Gusmao at an unspecified location in Jakarta on 7 December 1992. He
had been held incommunicado for 17 days before the visit, and there
were fears for his safety. At least 39 others, and possibly many more,
detained in East Timor since early November, have yet to be visited
by the ICRC. They are being held in incommunicado custody and
some are reported to have been subjected to severe forms of torture.
 
ICRC officials confirmed on 8 December that they had visited Xanana
Gusmao in Jakarta. A report of the visit will be submitted to the
Government of Indonesia but, in accordance with ICRC policy, it will
not be published. The authorities have reportedly promised further
ICRC visits to Xanana Gusmao but the timing of the visits has yet to
be negotiated. 
 
Amnesty International welcomes the ICRC visit, but notes with serious
concern that it occurred 17 days after Xanana Gusmao's arrest, during
which time he may have been subjected to physical and mental torture
and ill- treatment. Amnesty International believes that it is essential
for ICRC representatives, independent lawyers and relatives to be
granted frequent, regular access to Xanana Gusmao, if his safety is to
be effectively guaranteed while he is in custody.
 
Those still held incommunicado in East Timor include at least 19 close
associates or relatives of Xanana Gusmao, arrested after his capture on
20 November; and at least 20 others, arrested prior to and during the
anniversary of the November 1991 Santa Cruz massacre (see UA
367/92, ASA 21/18/92, of 23 November 1992 and follow ups). All are
at risk of torture and ill-treatment and there is urgent concern for
their safety. The ICRC is seeking to be permitted to visit the Dili
detainees in the near future, but it is not known when the visits will
take place. 
 
One of the detainees, Jorge Manuel Araujo Serrano, is reported to
have died under torture and two of the women have reportedly been
raped by Indonesian soldiers (see ASA 21/23/92 of 4 December 1992).
Others are feared to have "disappeared". Amnesty International calls
upon the Indonesian authorities to act immediately to clarify the fate
and whereabouts of these detainees and to allow ICRC officials,
independent lawyers and relatives immediate access to their place of
detention.        
 
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters in English or your
own language:
 
- welcoming the fact that the ICRC has been permitted to visit
Xanana Gusmao in detention, but noting with concern that the visit
occurred after 17 days of incommunicado detention;
 
- urging the government to allow the ICRC, independent lawyers,
doctors and relatives frequent, regular access to Xanana Gusmao in
detention;
 
- seeking clarification of the precise whereabouts of Xanana Gusmao;
 
- expressing urgent concern for the safety of the 39 others arrested
since early November, and of all political detainees in East Timor;
calling on the government to permit ICRC representatives, independent
lawyers, doctors and relatives immediate access to their place of
detention;
 
- calling on the government to release all those detained solely for
peaceful political views, or for association with Xanana Gusmao's
family.
 
APPEALS TO:
 
Brig Gen Theo Syafei              [Salutation: Dear Brig Gen Syafei]
PANGKOLAKOPS
Markas Besar KOLAKOPS/KOREM 164
Dili, East Timor
Indonesia
Telegrams Brig Gen Syafei, Dili, East Timor
 
Maj Gen Suwardi            [Salutation: Dear Maj Gen Suwardi]
Markas Besar, KODAM IX/Udayana 
Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Telegrams: Maj Gen Suwardi, Kodam IX, Denpasar, Bali,
 
General Try Sutrisno       [Salutation: Dear General Sutrisno]
Commander of the Armed Forces
Markas Besar ABRI
Cilangkap, East Jakarta
Indonesia
Telegrams:  Gen Try Sutrisno, Markas Besar ABRI, Jakarta, Indonesia
Faxes:      + 62 21 36 1471 (Armed Forces HQ); 
            + 62 21 37 8144 (Army HQ); 
            + 62 21 35 6404
 
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
 
Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (LBH)
Jl. Diponegoro 74
Jakarta 10320
Indonesia
 
and to the diplomatic representative in your country - please see the
responses to this topic for details.
 
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.  Please do not send
appeals after 21 January 1993.
** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **