Arbitrary Detention, E.Timor id MAA16676; Wed, 24 Sep 1997 12:35:00 -0400 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ 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 9416 2746 E-mail: etchrmel@peg.apc.org Director: Ms Maria Brett Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin ______________________________________________________________________ URGENT ACTION 19 September 1997 NAMES: Joaquim Santana Constancio Chantal dos Santos, 21 Fernao Malta Lebre Jojo dos Santos Ivo Miranda Francisco Caldeira Julio Santana Jose Ximenes Domingos Natalino Soares (no first name) Laurindo Alkino Da Costa Fernando Lere Nuno dos Santos VIOLATION: Arbitrary Detention LOCATION: Semarang, Indonesia and Dili, East Timor Ref: UA 23/97 ____________________________________________________________________________ The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) holds grave fears for the safety of up to thirteen East Timorese men who were arrested in Semarang, Indonesia and Dili in East Timor. ETHRC sources have reported that Joaquim Santana, Domingos Natalino, Fernao Malta Lebre, Ivo Miranda and Julio Santana are currently detained at POLDA (local police station) in Semarang following their arrest on 14 September, 1997. According to the Indonesian daily newspaper, "Republika", three other East Timorese students, Nano, Soares (no first name) and Laurindo Alkino Da Costa were arrested on the same day and are also believed to be in detention at POLDA. According to the Indonesian report, the three youths were arrested in relation to an alleged bomb explosion at a house in Demak, east Semarang, that took place on Saturday 13 September. The Indonesian report states that another five unidentified East Timorese students are being held in detention at POLDA in relation to the alleged bomb explosion. It is not clear whether the unidentified five are the same as Joaquim Santana, Domingos Natalino, Fernao Malta Lebre, Ivo Miranda and Julio Santana, however it is believed they are the same people. Other sources have reported that two other East Timorese men, Fernando Lere and Nuno dos Santos, are also being held at POLDA in relation to the incident. ETHRC sources have confirmed that Constancio Chantal dos Santos, Jojo dos Santos, Francisco Caldeira and Jose Ximenes are currently in police custody at POLRES (Regional Police Headquarters) in Dili. The men were arrested at 8am on 16 September after disembarking in Dili. According to Amnesty International, the arrests are believed to be related to bombs found on the men by the Indonesian authorities. It is believed Constancio Chantal dos Santos and Jojo dos Santos have been accused of breaching Articles 106, 108 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP). These articles relate to rebellion against the state. The two men have also been accused of violating another law in relation to the use of weapons. The ETHRC believes the incidents in Semarang and Dili are related. The East Timor Human Rights Centre holds grave fears for the safety of the thirteen East Timorese men as East Timorese detainees are routinely subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in military or police custody, especially if they are denied access to their families and independent legal council. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes/telegrams/express/airmail letters in English, Bahasa Indonesia or your own language: * seeking clarification of the identities of the East Timorese detained at POLDA in Semarang and POLRES in Dili; * seeking details of the charges (if any) against Jaoquim Santana, Domingos Natalino, Fernao Malta Lebre, Ivo Miranda, Julio Santana, Soares, Laurindo Alkino Da Costa, Nuno dos Santos, Fernando Lere, Francisco Caldeira and Jose Ximenes and calling for their immediate and unconditional release if they have not been charged with a recognisable offence under existing laws; * seeking assurances that none of the detainees will face torture or ill-treatment in detention and that they will be treated humanely and in accordance with international standards; and * seeking assurances that they will have access to their families and independent legal representation. SEND APPEALS TO: 1. MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor) General Syahrir MS Pangdam IX/Udayana Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana Denpasar, Bali INDONESIA Telephone: +62 361 228 095 Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia 2. CHIEF OF POLICE FOR EAST TIMOR Colonel Atok Rismanto Kapolda Timor Timur Dili, East Timor INDONESIA Telegrams: Kapolda, Dili, East Timor ALSO SEND COPIES TO: 3. MINISTER OF 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 4. SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa Sekretaris Jenderal, Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) Jl Latuharhary No 4 B, Menteng Jakarta Pusat INDONESIA Phone/Fax : +62 21 392 5227 Email: info@komnas.go.id and to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY Check with the East Timor Human Rights Centre if sending appeals after 31 October 1997 ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytpac-09.24.97-12:35:06-26186