Rights committee to probe rape

Rights committee to probe rape

DILI: The National Commission on Human Rights plans to
investigate allegations that military personnel raped a young
woman in November last year, a local activist said here
yesterday.

"The investigators are due here for a two-day visit after the
Idul Fitri holiday, possibly Feb. 11th," head of the East Timor
committee branch Alex Rifialy told The Jakarta Post.

The committee has already received depositions by the 23 year-
old illiterate farmer from the Ermera district, Alex said. The
case caused an uproar in Jakarta.

He said the team of Clementino dos Reis Amaral, Marzuki
Darusman, Sugiri and Soetandyo Wignjosubroto would not only
investigate the alleged rape, but also probe the murder of chief
corporal Alfredo dos Santos outside Dili cathedral last year
prior to a Christmas Eve service.

The investigation follows closely on the heels of statements
by Bishop of East Timor Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo here Wednesday
about continued abuses of human rights in Indonesia's youngest
province.

In addition to the new cases, the rights committee would
investigate an old case concerning the shooting of Thomas da
Costa, 35, in Betano village, Same district, Alex said.

The authorities have denied the reports on the rape of the
farmer. (01)