The ETHRC has received an urgent appeal from Baucau, East Timor, where 85 East Timorese people were arrested between 5 June and 16 June 1997. One ETHRC source has reported that the 85 are still in detention at Kodim headquarters in Baucau, however this is still unconfirmed and it is not known how many of the 85 are still detained. However, the ETHRC believes many of those arrested are still in detention and are at grave risk of torture and ill-treatment.

The East Timorese people were arrested during a military operation launched by the Indonesian military in response to the 31 May attack by Resistance guerrillas on an Indonesian Army truck. The military operation was launched by Battalion 312 and "Team Saka", a team of East Timorese people recruited into the Indonesian military. It is believed members of the military intimidated and arrested the 85 people in order to obtain information about members of Falintil (the East Timorese Resistance guerrillas) operating in the area.

An unknown number of the detainees are believed to have been subjected to lengthy interrogation and torture lasting all night. The detainees have also been subjected to ill-treatment as it is believed they were forced to remove their clothes and had the names of Falintil members written all over their bodies. They were forced to remain unclothed all night.

Background information

The situation in Baucau has been very tense since the May 29 Indonesian election, which was accompanied by an increase in fighting between the Indonesian military and the Resistance guerrillas. There is a heavy military presence in the area with three battalions (approximately 3,000 troops) currently stationed in the city of Baucau.

On 31 May, Resistance guerrillas attacked an Indonesian army truck, which was carrying 26 policemen and two soldiers, on the road in Quelicai, Baucau district. The guerrillas threw a grenade into the truck, killing thirteen Indonesians, while another four Indonesians were shot dead trying to escape.

The repercussions, including the arrest of the 85 East Timorese people, which have followed the 31 May attack are believed to be related to the recent arrest of Commander David Alex and three other East Timorese (see Urgent Action UA 16/97 dated 26 June 1997). Alex has been accused by the military of planning the 31 May attack and other recent Falintil attacks in and around Baucau.