The situation of internally displaced people (IDP's) in East Timor is worsening by the day. They must face intimidation, terror; their houses are burned; health conditions are very poor with a high mortality rate due to disease and lack of adequate food.

Since the announcement of the two options by President Habibie many militia groups have been formed in East Timor. This has led to intimidation by militia in order to force a certain political outcome, causing tens of thousands of displaced. These IDP's can be found in Raimate, Sare, Kecamatan Hatolia, Kabupaten Ermera; in Kampung Faulara Desa Leotola, Kec. Liquica, Kecamatan Maubara; in Kecamatan Atabae and in Suai. These IDP's face systematic terror, intimidation, rape, which is aimed to force them to follow a certain political interest.

Responding to this situation, a number of NGOs in Dili made the initiative to conduct a joint delivery of humanitarian aid to overcome the problem of access due to security threats which have been experienced up to this point. On July 2, this joint mission was carried out, bringing with us 25 tons of rice, cooking utensils, medicines, salt, sugar, to be distributed to IDP's in Sare, and in Faulara, respectively 3800 and 3000 IDP's in the two locations.

UNAMET and UNHCR came with the NGO mission to conduct their own independent assessment and observe the distribution. UNHCR and UNAMET also assisted in the coordination with local authorities. Before the departure of the Humanitarian Mission coordination with the local government was conducted (see chronology). However, in our journey home, the Humanitarian Mission was attacked by Besi Merah Putih militia, causing a number of NGO workers to be hurt.

Until now, an IDP who came with us, Jose Manus Marcal, 70 years, for medical treatment in Dili is still unknown. After the attack of the Humanitarian Mission, there are now allegations by Police and others that firearms were seen in a UNAMET vehicle. This is part of the manipulation of facts which is conducted to discredit our Humanitarian Mission.

Since the Humanitarian mission has left Sare and Faulara, we have had no access to the IDP's. We are concerned that their situation will worsen due to food shortages, lack of medical care and lack of security. The IDP's are concerned for their safety as they have received threats of an attack if they accept aid.

Looking at the situation of IDP's and the violent acts conducted by Besi Merah Putuh militia, the Humanitarian Mission states the following:

• We condemn the violence and intimidation by militia who have burned houses, raped, and terrorised the population;
• We condemn the government for not taking action to alleviate the suffering of the IDP's;
• We condemn the brutal militia attack on the Humanitarian Mission in Liquisa on July 4 1999;
• We condemn the Indonesian police officials in Liquisa who allowed this to take place, without taking steps to prevent this incident;
• We condemn the discriminative actions by the police who handled this case, allowing the perpetrators to roam around town, instead interrogating a few members of the Humanitarian Mission;
• We condemn the attempts to engineer the attack by security forces, and the manipulation of facts and a disinformation campaign through media.

The Humanitarian Mission thus demands:

• Polri [National Police], being responsible for security, to disarm and disband all militia who are a threat to the East Timorese population. This is in accordance to the Peace Agreement of 21 April in Dili and the Peace Agreement of 18 June in Jakarta;
• Polri to conduct legal process that is transparent and objective to the perpetrators of the attack on the Humanitarian Mission;
• Polri to return vehicles of the Humanitarian Mission which is now being held at the Kapolres Liquisa.

To ensure the success of the popular ballot and for the safety of the IDPs, the Humanitarian Mission:

• Urges all parties to respect all humanitarian mission which is directed to all those who are suffering;
• Urges UNAMET to pressure the Indonesian government to punish those who attacked this mission and to withdraw TNI as agreed in the May 5 agreement;
• Urges all parties to respect the right of IDP's and those who are suffering to receive aid and have protection.

This is our position and statement which we are making with deep concern towards the situation of the internally displaced and towards the attack on the Humanitarian Mission.

Dili, July 6 - Yayasan HAK, Yayasan ETADeP, Caritas Dili, Yayasan Kasimo, Posko for Emergency Aid for IDP's, Timor Aid. Edited slightly for readability - James Balowski.