HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEPLORES APPOINTMENT OF MILITIA LEADER TO HEAD CIVILIAN SECURITY FORCE IN EAST TIMOR

HR/99/50
9 June 1999




High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson today deplored the appointment in East Timor of the leader of a militia accused of violence against pro-independence Timorese as head of a civilian security force in Dili.

Mrs. Robinson said Eurico Guterres, head of the Dili-based Aitarak, or "Thorn", militia, is known to have made speeches in which he has termed supporters of independence for East Timor "anti-national" and "traitors". There are reliable reports that such statements have caused incidents of violence, including killings, said Mrs. Robinson.

The High Commissioner said the appointment of such an open opponent of the pro-independence side did not inspire confidence in the prospects for a free and fair ballot in East Timor next August. She called on Indonesian authorities to investigate human rights violations reportedly committed by armed militias, including Aitarak, and to bring those responsible to justice. Establishing the rule of law by curbing the current violence is an indispensable element of full respect for human rights, she said.

Mrs. Robinson's personal envoy on the human rights situation in East Timor, Indian Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee, conducted a mission to the area from 14 to 25 May. During the mission, Mr. Sorabjee, former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Nigeria, visited Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia, and Dili and Liquica in East Timor. In his report to the High Commissioner, Mr. Sorabjee emphasized the importance of disarming urgently the militias and all armed Timorese.