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This News Service is posted by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 8DJ (Tel +44-71-413-5500,
Fax +44-71-956-1157)
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News Release 06/96

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON 15 JANUARY 1996
AI INDEX : ASA 21/05/96

INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR: LONDON TALKS IMPORTANT FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS

A detailed framework for the protection of human rights in
East Timor should be at the top of the agenda for tomorrow~s
discussions between the Indonesian and Portuguese Foreign
Ministers, meeting in London to discuss the future of East
Timor, Amnesty International said.

      The talks, sponsored by the United Nations (UN), are
the seventh in a series between the Indonesian and Portuguese
governments which began in 1992. The meetings are aimed at
resolving conflict concerning East Timor, which has been
occupied by Indonesia since 1975, although that occupation is
not recognised by the UN.

      "Any discussion concerning the future of East Timor
must have at its core the protection of the human rights of
the East Timorese," said Amnesty International. "Without an
end to human rights violations there can be no just
solution".

      The human rights situation in East Timor remains
critical. Prisoners of conscience are serving sentences of up
to life imprisonment and alleged opponents of Indonesian rule
are subject to arbitrary detention, during which they are
frequently tortured. Extrajudicial executions and
"disappearances" continue, despite a high profile
investigation and trial of two soldiers for the murder of six
civilians in January 1995.

      Human rights has been on the agenda of the talks
between the Indonesian and the Portuguese governments in the
last few years. But Amnesty International considers that
progress for the protection of human rights on the ground has
been insufficient.

      At previous sessions, the Indonesian government stated
its recognition of the need to improve the human rights
situation in East Timor, but the government has so far failed
to act on commitments it has given during the talks to
implement UN human rights resolutions.

      Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has agreed that
the talks are now at the "substantive stage" and that the
possibility of "building a framework for a solution to East
Timor" should now be discussed.

      Amnesty International considers that substantive
discussions and a possible framework for resolving the
situation on East Timor must include a clear program for the
prevention of future human rights violations and redress for
past violations.

      Such a framework should include immediate access for
human rights monitors to East Timor, an end to the practice
of arbitrary detention of those suspected of political
activism, the release of all prisoners of conscience, and an
end to torture, political killings and disappearances.
      "The Indonesia government should back up talk with
action,~ Amnesty International said. ~It should complement
discussions on the future of East Timor with concrete
measures to protect human rights there.~

ENDS\
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