Ndaye in Dili for talks with local officials
DILI, East Timor (JP): Special rapporteur from the United Nations Human Rights Commission for Execution Without Trial, Bacre Waly Ndaye, met with East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares here yesterday to discuss the 1991 "Dili incident."
Ndaye, who arrived at Dili's Komoro Airport yesterday afternoon, was welcomed by First Assistant to East Timor's Provincial Secretary Armindo Soares Mariano, Head of the Provincial Office of Social and Political Affairs Sjamsu Anwar and Head of the Provincial Public Relations Bureau Jose Estevao Soares.
Abilio told reporters later that Ndaye did not specifically question him about execution without trial during the two-hour talk but instead discussed the 1991 riot, in which the authorities claim 50 were killed, and the detentions and trials of the people who were reportedly involved.
"I explained to him that everyone who was directly involved and responsible for the incident has been processed by law," Soares said, adding that those who had been tried were local army members and policemen.
He said that Ndaye was also here to re-check the government's progress in searching for the 56 people who were reportedly missing following the riot.
"The 56 missing persons have not been found yet, but it is not only a concern of the UN, but of all of us as well, because the incident is a violation of human rights," the governor said.
The incident, which took place on Nov. 12, 1991 near a cemetery, developed into a riot as the demonstrators clashed with troops.
During his stay in East Timor, Ndaye is scheduled to meet with the head of the district court, head of the prosecution office, traditional leaders, head of the Dili City Council, head of the East Timor district police, chairman of the National Youth Committee and the East Timor military commander.
He will also visit Becora prison and the polytechnic and fishing port at Hera. Ndaye will return to Jakarta on Monday afternoon. (yac/pwn)