Dili, 6 February 2001
SECOND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY INDICTMENT FILED

The second indictment containing charges of crimes against humanity committed in East Timor in the wake of last year’s orchestrated campaign of violence was filed today by UNTAET’s Prosecutor General. Five persons, including an officer of the Indonesian Army, have been indicted suspected of murder, rape, torture, unlawful deprivation of liberty, inhumane and degrading treatment and persecution. The crimes were allegedly committed between April and October 1999 in Lolotoe sub-district, Bobonaro district, by members of the Indonesian Army (TNI) and the Kaer Metin Merah Putih militia. The indictment states that members of TNI and the Kaer Metin Merah Putih militia carried out acts of violence against members of the civilian population who were considered to be pro-independence, linked to or sympathetic to the independence cause. Many such attacks were directed in particular against women whose husbands were presumed to be members of Falintil or independence supporters. Two militia members – Jhoni Franca and Jose Cardoso Fereira – and a village chief and collaborator – Sabino Gouvia Leite – are already in detention in East Timor. The TNI Commander of Lolotoe sub-district, 2nd Lt. Bambang Indra, and Francisco Noronha, an Indonesian Civil Servant, are at large and have presumably fled East Timor. The first charges of crimes against humanity in East Timor were filed on 11 December. The indictments accuses eleven persons of committing crimes such as murder, torture, deportation and forcible transfer of civilian population in Los Palos, Lautem District, between 21 April and 25 September 1999.

FIRST SERIOUS CRIMES TRIAL BEGINS

The first trial of a person suspected of committing serious crimes in East Timor after the popular consultation started in the Dili District Court today, 6 February. The case concerns a 30-year old pro-independence activist charged with the murder of a militia member in Gleno village, Ermera district on 26 September 1999. The suspect admitted to the murder of a militia member, but pleaded not guilty, since he felt that he had been forced to commit the crime “by the people” in Gleno. The trial will resume again on 27 February. A former militia member was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in a preliminary hearing by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at the Dili District Court on 25 January. In the hearing, the militia member admitted to a murder in Bobonaro district on 8 September 1999.

RECONCILIATION MEETING IN SUAI

UNTAET Chief of Staff, N. Parameswaran, is hosting a town hall meeting on reconciliation in Suai on Friday, 9 February. The event is part of a series of reconciliation meetings in different districts. More than 150 people have been invited from all sub-districts in Suai. A reconciliation meeting was held in Ainaro last week, which was attended by 150 people.

INDONESIAN JOURNALISTS ARRIVE IN EAST TIMOR

A group of 21 Indonesian journalists arrived in East Timor today for a weeklong visit, organized by the Indonesia-based refugee organization Task Force for the Settlement of the East Timorese Refugee Issue in East Nusa Tenggara. The visit is financed by USAID and facilitated by UNTAET, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration. Indonesian journalists last participated in an organized visit to East Timor in July last year.

VENDORS TO MOVE TO NEW MARKETS

To date, some 1,100 vendors have signed agreements with Dili District to move into the newly renovated markets in Becora and Comoro. The Comoro market contains a total of 1,406 stalls and Becora market 651 stalls. The stalls were allocated through public lotteries and the markets are expected to open to vendors in mid-February. The markets have been refurbished under the auspices of the Japanese NGO Adventist Development Relief Agency. Works undertaken include repair and reconstruction of roofed stall areas, construction of tiled benches, installation and repairs of drains, paving and car park areas. The idea is that the improved and more secure conditions at Becora and Comoro markets will act as a magnet, drawing sellers from the overcrowded Central Market.

UNTAET TO WORK TOGETHER WITH YOUTH AGAINST VIOLENCE

On Thursday, 8 February, Chief of Staff N. Parameswaran will meet with CivPol and a youth group which organized a demonstration outside UNTAET headquarters yesterday, to discuss ways of working together to prevent violence in East Timor society. SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello has stated on numerous occasions that there will be zero-tolerance against any form of violence in the country. The demonstrators, calling themselves the Anti-violence Youth Group, handed over a petition, in which they called upon UNTAET and CNRT to take strong action against violence and to “guarantee people’s safety.” UNTAET is supporting any initiative to suppress violence in society.

ELECTORAL DEPARTMENT HIRES TIMORESE STAFF

UNTAET’s Office of Political, Constitutional and Electoral Affairs is planning to hire five East Timorese to work in various positions in the Electoral Unit. The positions include Assistant Voter Education/Training Manager, Assistant Technical Specialist and Assistant Operation Manager. The vacancy announcements will be posted throughout the districts and interested candidates who hold the required qualifications should submit their curriculum vitae to the Office of Civil Service and Public Employment. Applications from the districts may be submitted to the office of the District Administrators. The positions are open to both males and females.