ONE KILLED, THREE INJURED IN DILI GANG FIGHTING
One person was killed and three injured today, 3 January, after clashes in Dili between two rival gangs. UNTAET’s Civilian Police has arrested 16 people in connection with the violence, which took place in Dili’s Becora area. The fighting started between different groups of gang members last night and escalated this morning, when one person sustained severe injuries after receiving blows from fists and a machete. He died later in the afternoon at Dili Hospital. Three other people sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at Dili hospital.
CivPol made arrests in various locations around Becora throughout the day, including four who were arrested in the neighbouring hills after being pursued by police officers on foot and in helicopter. The situation in Becora was calm again in the late afternoon, but CivPol has stepped up its presence in the area. This is the first public disturbance on a larger scale since April last year, when five people were injured in gang-related violence.
In other news, on a visit to the Dili Mosque, Deputy SRSG Jean-Christian Cady assured leaders of the Islamic community that UNTAET is committed to ensuring that the Muslims in East Timor enjoy the same rights and benefits as any other social, religious or ethnic group. The mosque and its residents were subjected to stone-throwing incidents on 1 and 2 January 2001. CivPol is investigating the attacks and is providing round-the-clock protection in the area.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DSRSG
Dili, 03 January 2001
In recent days, the Muslim community living in the Dili mosque has been subjected to acts of violence and harassment, resulting in property damage and injuries. Such incidents of inter-communal violence are unacceptable, and are thus condemned by UNTAET. UNTAET is committed to the building of a peaceful, democratic society in East Timor. At the heart of any democratic society lies tolerance and the protection of minority rights. The Muslim minority in East Timor will therefore enjoy exactly the same rights and benefits, including protection by the authorities, as any other social, religious or ethnic group. An equally firm attitude will be taken by UNTAET towards inter-communal violence coming from any other source, using whatever pretext or justification.
To demonstrate his personal commitment to these fundamental principles, and to learn at first-hand about the situation of the 250 mosque residents, Mr. Jean-Christian Cady, Acting Transitional Administrator and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, today (Wednesday) visited the Dili mosque, accompanied by Mr. N. Parameswaran, Chief of Staff.
The visit followed a call on Mr. Cady yesterday by three leaders of the mosque community. During yesterday’s 90-minute meeting, which included top representatives of CivPol, the PKF and UNTAET’s Office of Human Rights Affairs, the Acting Transitional Administrator was informed about two attacks on the mosque and its residents by a gang of youths, on 01 and 02 January 2001. Mr. Cady assured the mosque leaders that adequate protection would be provided, and that steps would be taken to bring an end to the intimidation suffered by this community.
UNTAET notes that on different occasions in the past prominent members of the East Timorese leadership, including Bishop Carlos Ximines Belo, CNRT/NC President Xanana Gusmão and Vice-President Jose Ramos-Horta, have all visited the mosque to lend support to its community. They have repeatedly urged that the well-being and safety of the mosque’s residents be respected.