Australian aid organisations are calling on the Australian Government to make a new effort to free East Timorese refugees trapped in West Timor by militia groups and to have armed militia groups outlawed by the new Indonesian Government.
In a report released today, 'Let Them Go: East Timorese Refugees in West Timor', the Australian Council for Overseas Aid expresses its deep concern that at least 200,000 refugees continue to be forcibly restrained from returning home and are enduring systematic and serious violations of human rights at the hands of Indonesian military-backed militias.
The report details allegations of abuse including political killings, intimidation, kidnappings, forced prostitution and violations of children's rights.
'The refugees in West Timor now constitute the highest risk group of all East Timorese', states the report.
'Indonesian military backed militias are the principal obstacle to repatriation', said the Australian Council for Overseas Aid's Executive Director, Janet Hunt. 'It is up to the new Wahid Government to outlaw these groups and ban their activities, which are clearly contrary to Indonesian and international law'.
The report recommends that the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, should urgently raise these concerns with the Indonesian Government and propose that Indonesia negotiate a treaty of friendship and cooperation with East Timor to address border management and outlaw militia activity.
'There should be closure on the East Timor conflict by the Indonesian side. The operation of contra-style militia bases in West Timor will destabilise East Timor and inflame relations between East Timor and Indonesia'.
The report calls for human rights protection agencies to be established in West Timor. 'But the best way to protect their human rights is for them to return to East Timor which is now secure and free of violence' said Ms Hunt.
Copies of the Report are available from Debbie Venugopal, ph: (02) 6285 1816 or alternatively it is available from ACOFA's website: www.acfoa.asn.au by following the East Timor Links.
Further information and comment:
Janet Hunt
02 6281 9216 (w)
0411 868 174 (mb) or
Pat Walsh
409 997 030 (mb)
PH: 02 6285 1816 FAX:
02 6285 1720
EMAIL: acfoa@acfoa.asn.au
Full Report (pdf.format)
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