The Human Rights Actions Network http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/action.html SOS-Torture CHILD CONCERN Case IDN/TMP 260896.CC and Case IDN/TMP 260896 The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests your immediate intervention in the following situation in East Timor, Indonesia. Case IDN/TMP 260896.CC Brief description of the situation : Following information received from reliable sources, the International Secretariat is gravely concerned over the security and physical and psychological integrity of four children : Elda Pinto, 15, Rita, 13, Bicau, 12, and Bi-Soi, 3 years, and for their mother Teresa de FATIMA, 39. They were allegedly arrested on 2nd August 1996, in Nunuhou in the village of Hatuquessi in the Liquica district. They were reportedly arrested by Jacinto Hameno, the leader of the town of Liquica, and Arnoldus, a member of the security forces (BABINSA). It is believed that Teresa de Fatima and her children are all still in an undisclosed place of detention and we fear that they are victims of ill- treatment or torture. Teresa de Fatima is the wife of Julio "Maureha", a commander of the Timorese Resistance guerrilla forces (FALINTIL) who is alleged to have been involved in the killing of an Indonesian army captain on 27 July 1996 in the village of Acumano. It is believed she was arrested in Nunuhou after fleeing to the mountains for safety following the military crack-down in the area. Case IDN/TMP 260896 According to the information, as well as Mrs. Teresa de FATIMA, two other persons, Benjamin de Nery, 30, and Joao Alves Ribeiro, 23, also were arrested on 2 August 1996. Mr. de Nery was supposedly arrested in Tibar. It is believed that both men are still detained at Liquica District Military Headquarters (KODIM). The arrests apparently occurred following the murder of an Indonesian army captain after a conflict broke out at a party held in Acumano on the evening of 27 July 1996. On 28 July 1996, members of the District Military Headquarters (KODIM), the Mobile Police Brigade (BRIMOB) and the Special Intelligence Unit (SGI) were mobilised, and by 29 July, the entire village was blockaded. By 30 July 1996, Acumano was completely empty as those residents who were not arrested had fled to the mountains. It is believed that some residents have begun to return to Acumano while others remain in hiding. Some of those arrested have been released but many are still in detention. Reportedly many of the prisoners are being held at Liquica District Military Headquarters (KODIM, others may be held at unidentified locations. All detainees are believed to be at risk of torture and ill-treatment. Action requested : Please contact the Indonesian authorities urging them to: i. immediately disclose the whereabouts of all the people arrested and immediately and unconditionally release the four children, Elda Pinto, Rita, Bicau, and Bi-Soi, and take the appropriate measures to guarantee their physical and psychological integrity; ii. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Teresa de FATIMA, Benjamin de NERY, and Joao ALVES, and immediately release them if they are being held without valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before a competent and impartial civilian tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times; iii. open an exhaustive and impartial enquiry into the alleged illegal detentions and all other violations carried out against all the persons, including the children, identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the civil, penal and/or administrative sanctions provided by the law; iv. ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards; Addresses : 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 Secretary General, National Commission on Human Rights, Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa Sekretaris Jenderal, Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) Jl Pemuda No.104,Rawamangun, Jakarta Timur, INDONESIA,Faxes: +62 21 470 0775 Military Commander Region Ix/Udayana (includes East Timor),Maj Gen H.A.Rivai,Pangdam IX/Udayana,Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana,Denpasar, Bali,INDONESIA,Telephone: +62 361 228 095, Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia Chief of Police for East Timor,Lt. Col. S.Y.Wenas, Kapolda Timor Timur, Dili, East Timor, INDONESIA, Telegrams: Kapolda, Dili, East Timor Geneva, 26 august 1996 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the exact case number of this appeal in your reply. Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT - SOS Torture Tel: +41-22-733 31 40 Case Postale 119 Fax: +41 22-733 31 40 CH 1211 Geneva 20 Conf: omctsostorture@conf.igc.apc.org Switzerland =====================================================