NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #19/NN_1992_19.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/6138

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From: [e-mail] (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Timor: Statement of Miguel Saldanha at UN HR Sub-Commission
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/** reg.easttimor: 350.0 **/
** Topic: Stat. at Sub-HRC-Miguel Saldanha **
** Written  4:51 pm  Aug 25, 1992 by gn:cdpm in cdp:reg.easttimor **
Statement of Miguel Saldanha at the Sub-Commission of Human Rights
- Geneve

Mr President Distinguished members of the Sub-commission

My name is Miguel Saldanha, I am a Timorese and left my country
with my parents in 1986, because we couldn't live in a situation
of permanent persecution and threat, as it has been since the
Indonesian invasion in 1975.

I am testifying on behalf of the families of the detainees who
fear for the lives of their loved ones in indonesian jails.

I would like to talk about my brother's case, Josi Maria Pompeia
Saldanha Ribeiro, 28 years old, a student at the University of
Denpasar, Bali.

On 12th November 1991 the army shot unarmed civilians and killed
about 200 Timorese at Santa Cruz cemetery, in Dili.  70 young
Timorese studying in Indonesia at that time organised a peaceful
demonstration in Jacarta on 19th November 1991. Because of that,
though they haven't taken part in it, my brother and five
colleagues were taken by the Indonesian Intelligence from their
house, on 24th November 1991. After searching the house, they took
the six students to the police headquarters, where they were
subjected to violent interrogation. The 22nd November 1991 my
brother and three colleagues were taken handcuffed to Jacarta. In
January my brother and two other students of this group came back
to Bali and were released at the end of February.

Since my brother's arrest we haven't had any contact with him, nor
directly nor by letter, because all his daily movements are
controlled by the Intelligence, Allow me, Mr Chairman, to quote
from Fernando Arazjo's defence plea. Fernando Arazjo was sentenced
to 9 years under the anti- subversion law:

"(...) Along with the group of arresting officers was a group of
civilians whose identify or origins I was not aware of; at the
time of my arrest, the officer did not present a warrant they
proceeded to raid the house, carrying out the search independently
of any of the occupants of the house; (...) at that time the
police officers threatened to shoot me if I moved; once I was in
Polda Nusra, I was threatened by many people, ridiculed and
humiliated with inhumane words; I was isolated in a large room and
was prevented from receiving visits from my friends; (...) before
putting me in my cell, I was stripped naked and forced to spend
the night without clothing; (...) I was not allowed the use of
writing materials in my cell."

My brother has to report to the police once a week. This is the
case with all the other students.  He lost his scholarship. Hence
he is unable to complete his studies in Vetenerary science. He
cannot move about freely and cannot earn a living.

Mr President,

Like my brother, my brother-in-law Carlos dos Santos Lemos is also
in prison. He is 31 years old, a driver with the "Territorial
Government" in Dili. He was arrested on 6th December because he
was taking pictures of the demonstration of 12th November 1991.

My brother in law was one of the Timorese arrested in Dili after
the 12th November and was mistreated and suffered pressures, as it
happens with all the political prisoners. According to the news we
got, he could have a visit of his relatives twice a week, but
before each visit the relatives are interrogated. Because we
aren't able to have direct news about his real situation, I'll
mention a letter from another political prisoner, arrested at the
same time, that describes well the arbitrariness and violence to
which the Timorese who just want to express their opinions are
exposed to:

"The lawyers were in fact good defenders and because of this they
put their own physical safety at risk. During their stay in Dili,
they were always followed and more than a few times they were
subjected to intimidation and even interrogation. The occupants
used various forms of persuasion to sabotage our intention of
using these lawyers. For example, they came to us and said that
using the Jakarta lawyers would make things worse for us. When
"they" did not succeed with this tactic, they resorted to a
terrorisation process. They gave orders for the sleepings mats to
be removed from the cells so that we have to sleep on the ground
without any cover; but the International Red Cross came and "they"
had to give us back the mats. They also used other forms such as
withholding water for drinking and washing. The lawyers themselves
were also the target of all kinds of persuasion: "They" would go
up to them and say that the Timorese have the bad habit that once
you help them they never stop demanding things".

I would also like to mention part of the defence plea of Gregsrio
da Cunha Saldanha, sentenced for life:

"(...) I was forced to say what the interrogator wanted, which was
not according to the true fact (...).

In early December I was urged by the assistant public prosecutor,
Tamher, to give names of youths in CNRJT, and to say that they
carried firearms and knives on 12th November 1991 demonstration,
with the guarantee that I would be free, or at least be reasonably
treated. But because I felt this was not true, I refused.

In early February 1992, I was urged by Martinus Wae to give a
false statement against a demonstrator called Antsnio Belo, aged
30, illiterate, that he carried a banner and flag. The
interrogator said Antsnio had already confessed his involvement.
But because I believe true evidence is that which is seen, heard
and experienced, I refused.

In early May I was advised by the public prosecutor, Supardi, that
I should choose a local lawyer, Ponco. If I choose a lawyer from
the YLBHI Jakarta there would be a conflict between the lawyers
and the victim would be the defendant. This was repeated by police
lieutenant Bambang.  Prosecutors said the same thing to other
defendants. Because I believe that the choice of lawyer is the
defendant's right I said nothing".

On 9th July my brother-in-law Carlos Lemos was sentenced to 8
years. It's not acceptable that a person is arrested and sentenced
only for expressing his/her opinion. May I remind you that the
Indonesian government subscribed the Consensus Statement that was
read in this room in March 1992, by the distinguished President of
the Commission on Human Rights in which there was an appeal for
the immediate release of the Timorese prisoners who hadn't
participated in violent activities. Instead, the Indonesian court
condemned those who participated in a peaceful demonstration to
heavy sentences, including life, while some of the policemen and
military who killed unarmed young people in Santa Cruz were
sentenced to less that 18 months.

Mr President

Our suffering and worries are endless. The relatives of the
political prisoners are also under every kind of pressure. The
prisoners' incomes, in many cases the only support of their
parents, brothers, wives and children, were stopped. Survival
becomes very difficult. Wives and children always under threats
and persecution. The prisoners know this reality very well and
because of that one of them wrote to his family: "How terribly
difficult it is for a nationalist to choose between the Family and
the Fatherland". The Indonesian magazine "Tempo" of 11th July,
quote Gregsrio da Cunha Saldanha: "My detention will inevitably
have adverse economic consequences on my family. This constantly
worries me".

What angers us Mr President is that we are not even able to help
our relatives in East Timor who are experiencing these enormous
difficulties. The Timorese are afraid of getting any help from
outside because the Intelligence and the military government that
occupies our country are suspicious.

Since the 12th November massacre access to the Territory has
become even more restricted and this makes repression more severe.
Access to East-Timor has to be completely open to all humanitarian
and human rights organisations. This would be a small step towards
a peaceful and negotiated solution to the conflict.

The Santa Cruz massacre was only the tip of the iceberg. One day,
Mr Chairman, truth will triumph and the full dimensions of the
tragedy will be there for all to see- and each of you, Ladies and
Gentlemen, who are today in a position to make a difference and
save lives but choose not to for political expediency will not
escape judgement.

          Thank you very much
** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **