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Urgent action progress report

Source
East Timor Human Rights Centre - 29 October, 1997

The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is concerned for the safety of up to eight East Timorese men still in detention in Semarang and Dili, for their alleged involvement in the manufacture and possession of home-made bombs (see UA 23/97 and UA 23/97PR).

In Semarang, Joaquim Santana, Ivo Miranda, Fernao Malta Lebre and Domingos Natalino Coelho da Silva are still in detention at POLDA (the local police station). Indonesian authorities have denied lawyers, appointed by the detainees' families, access to the detainees. It is not known whether charges have been brought against them under Indonesian law and the ETHRC is therefore concerned they may have been arbitrarily detained. Grave fears are held for their safety as reliable sources have reported that all four detainees in Semarang have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including electric shock.

In Dili, it is believed up to four East Timorese men remain in custody at POLRES (Regional Police Headquarters). Two of the detainees, Constancio Chantal dos Santos and Paulo Jorge Pereira are being held for subversion and armed rebellion against the state and if convicted, could face the death penalty. The date for their trials has not been set. Earlier reports said Constancio Chantal dos Santos' fingers had been severed, however, it now appears this is not in fact correct. Constancio Chantal dos Santos and Paulo Jorge Pereira have had access to their legal representatives but it is not known whether ongoing access during interrogation has been allowed. Concerns are therefore held that they may be at risk of torture and ill-treatement.

It is believed another two East Timorese men may still be in detention in Dili in relation to the home-made bombs, although this remains unconfirmed. One of the men has been identified by ETHRC sources as Jose Ximenes (UA 23/97), while Amnesty International previously reported that the fourth man was Eduardo (AI Index 21/77/97). The ETHRC is still trying to confirm these names and whether they are still in detention.

It is now believed that Joao Bosco Carceres, Acelino (no surname), Nuno dos Santos, Soares (no first name), Fernando Lere and Francisco Caldeira, previously reported as detained in Semarang and Dili, are not in detention although this is still unconfirmed.

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