The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is seriously concerned about the further acts of violence and the deaths of civilians in Dili, the capital city of East Timor, on Saturday, April 17. This most recent spate of acts of violence and killings occurred after a rally for pro-autonomy sympathisers had been organised by the Dili based Aitarak, led by Eurico Guterres. This incident follows in the wake of the Liquica massacre two weeks previously when a large number of East Timorese (exact numbers still to be confirmed) were killed and many wounded at the hands of the Besi Merah Putih para-military group.
At the finish of the ceremonial part of the rally the militias moved off in different directions, some towards Kolmera and others on to the East Timor University campus (UNTIM). One group passed by the CNRT office where shots were fired into the air. Vehicles belonging to the militia stopped outside the house of Hemenegildo das Dores (killed by the military in Manatuto in 1998) and set about to burn the house down. Two cars belonging to his family were also burned.
An ETHRC source has reported further details of the brutal shootings and attacks at the home of Manuel Carrascalao, a leading figure in GRPRTT (reconciliation movement) and CNRT. Manuel (Manuelito) Carrascalao, 18 years, was brutally killed by militia. He was shot in the left temple and the bullet went through to the back of his head. Twice two militiamen stabbed Manuel in the stomach. One used a samurai sword and the other a smaller sword. Each time, the swords penetrated through to Manuel's back. He was stabbed another time from the back, which followed through to his left shoulder. It was reported that he died instantly. The dead body was not able to be located at first but after requests were made by Bishop Belo and Manuel's family members to Colonel Tono Suratman, Manuel's body was returned by the police. He was buried in the garden of his brother, Jose Manuel in Comoro. The police prevented the family from burying him at the public cemetery of Santa Cruz because the militia was in control of the cemetery.
Carmelinda Guterres aged 89, the great aunty of Manuel, is believed to have been killed during the attack on the house. His cousin, Marcelina Carrascalao, is also believed to have been killed. Neither of the bodies have been seen and therefore confirmation is still being sought.
Three youths have been identified as sustaining serious injuries at Manuel's house. Marito (Micky), 18 years, was stabbed twice in the right hand and twice in his side. Joao Junior Cairo Alves, 18 years, was struck in the head with a sword and fell to floor. Victor dos Santos Lay, 19 years is the other youth identified.
The attack on Manuel Carrascalao's house was brutal and unexpected. It is reported that 143 refugees from neighbouring districts of Alas, Liquica, Maubara, Turiscai and Suai were in the house at the time of the attack. More than 50 of them were forced to go to the police headquarters. The refugees were not able to escape because the militia had blocked off all of the streets. It is believed, but still to be confirmed, that the number of those killed will exceed more than the 12 "official" reported deaths. An ETHRC source has reported that after the rampage and killings at Manuel Carrascalao's house, the militia celebrated into the night with a party.
Outside the Hotel New Ressende Inn, Dili, Afonso Mendonca Araujo, 18 years, was struck in the head with a sword and fell to the ground. He was returning home from work but was forced to take the route past the hotel when the attack occurred.
A militia group that had moved on to Becora after the rally passed by the Taibesi military company (745). At Becora civilians were brutally shot at and houses burned. Manuel Pinto, 45 years, from the village of Bahu was shot by bullets when he stepped off the bus from Baccau at the Becora bus station. He was taken to the Policlinic Motael in Dili but later died at 6.15pm after losing a lot of blood. Manuel Pinto's body was returned to his family for burial in April 19. Sebastiao Martins, 21 years, was also shot and sustained severe injuries to both legs. He later received medical treatment. Also at the bus station, 16 kiosks were burned, 2 motor bikes stolen, a mini-bus burned, 2 karoke machines and a video player were taken away. Goods that were being sold there were taken away by the militia. It was also reported that approximately $6,300 (Aus), belonging to Mateus (no surname) was stolen.
Metiaut village was another area where the militia ran rampant. Civilians were victimisd, shot at and injured. Four youths, who were on the beach talking, were approached by militia members and took their guns and pointed them at the youths. They were told not to run away but they defied these orders and dispersed into different directions. It was at this point the militia started shooting. Joao Baptista, 18 years and a student at SMU Negeri lll in Dili, was shot in the leg and fell to the ground. Manuel Gama, 18 years, student at SMU Catholic School (Dharma Bhakti) was shot in both arms and the bullets went through his stomach. Agapito Ximenes, 23 years, was shot in the calf of the left leg then the bullet went through to his right calf. Carlos da Silva, 20 years, was shot in the stomach and another bullet hit and broke his hand. All four youths received medical treatment.
On Sunday, 18 April, the shootings by the militia were continuing and an ETHRC source has confirmed that the bus station at Becora was the scene of another attack. Augusto da Silva, 45 years, was shot in both hands while he was watching this incident.
The military, BTT143, (Territorial Batallion) together with troops from Company C 745, Becora, were reported as continuing the shootings on Monday, 19 April. Further details regarding the above two incidents are being gathered.
Background to Killings
The 17 April pro-autonomy rally began at 10 am outside the front of the East Timor Governor's office where ceremonies were staged for a number of militia groups which had come to Dili from different areas. These groups included Halintar (Atabe), Dadurus (Maliana), AHI (Aileu), Ablai (Same), Mahidi (Ainaro), Laksaur Merah Putih (Suai), Besi Merah Putih (Maubara), Makikit (Viqueque), Saka (Bacau), Jati Merah Putih (Lospalos). Also in attendance were the military and military commander, police representatives, the Governor and pro-autonomy civilians. In the morning Members of ABRI (Indonesian Armed Forces) forcibly woke local civilians, including old people and transmigrants, in order for them to attend the ceremonial part of the rally.
Joao da Silva Tavares (Pro-Integration War Commander) delivered the first speech. Eurico Guterres, in his emotional speech to the militia, called ..."from today, 17 April 1999, I order all militias of pro-integration to clean up the traitors of integration, arrest and kill them", Eurico Guterres will be responsible.
The ETHRC is continuing to make inquiries about the killings and will issue progress reports when claims can been confirmed. This is difficult at present as many of our sources are afraid to attend work because their organisations are targets for attack by para-military groups.