More East Timorese disappear
The Melbourne-based East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) fears for the safety of Santina Morreira Belo, aged 22, and her baby aged under one, who disappeared after Santina Morreira Belo was arrested on July 12 by members of Kopassus (Special Forces Command), the police, and Team Saka (East Timorese who have been recruited into the Indonesian military).
The ETHRC says that the reason for her arrest is not known, but it may be related to an intensive military operation in the Quelicai subdistrict, launched in response to the May 31 grenade attack on an Indonesian army truck by the East Timorese resistance.
The ETHRC has already reported the names of 114 East Timorese civilians who have been arrested in the operation since early June. The fate of most of the detainees is still unknown.
Attempts to locate Santina Morreira Belo and her baby have been unsuccessful, and the ETHRC fears for their safety. Detainees in East Timor are routinely subjected to torture and ill-treatment, especially if they are denied access to their families and independent legal counsel.
The ETHRC is asking all those who support human rights to assist in the campaign to find and free Santina Morreira Belo. For information about how you can help, contact the East Timor Human Rights Centre at PO Box 1413, Collingwood 3066; telephone (03) 9415 8225; fax 9416 2746; e-mail: etchrmel@peg.apc.org.