Rights violation occurred in Dili riot: Rights body

Rights violation occurred in Dili riot: Rights body

DILI, East Timor (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights
says there was a violation of human rights in the Christmas Eve
violence that killed off-duty Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Corporal
Alfredo Dos Santos Siga.

Commission member Clementino Dos Reis Amaral said here Tuesday
the rights violation occurred in a disturbance by a mob of youths
outside the Vilaverde Cathedral during mass led by Dili Bishop
Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo who had just returned from Oslo where
he received this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Earlier reports said Siga, 46, was beaten and trampled to
death. Amaral, however, said Siga was found with stab wounds to
his forehead.

Church sources said the mob was angry that Siga and four other
undercover security agents were carrying weapons. The military
said Siga, an East Timorese recruit, was on leave and had gone to
the cathedral on his own volition.

Eleven other people, including three civilians, were injured.
Among the injured was Dili Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Beno
Kilapong, who needed six stitches after a stone hit him on the
head.

Amaral said he had seen pictures of Siga and his wounds. "That
was inhumane treatment (that Siga experienced)," Amaral said. "He
suffered horrible torture. His body was mistreated cruelly."

"The commission is really concerned about this," he said.

Amaral also met Tuesday with deputy commander of Wira Dharma
local military command Col. Soekotjo, during which he conveyed
his condolences for Siga's death.

Amaral said the rights commission would first discuss the
findings, including information received from the secretary of
Dili diocese Father Antonio Da Costa, before determining the kind
of action it would take.

Amaral also praised the Armed Forces' handling of the riots.

"They did not let themselves be provoked by a group of
irresponsible people. I think the rights commission will
officially convey its appreciation to the Armed Forces," he said.

Antara reported Tuesday that Chief of East Timor Police Col.
Yusuf Muharam said the arrest of those suspected of sparking the
Dec. 24 riots in Dili was carried out with proper procedure.

Twelve people have been arrested for allegedly sparking the
riots.

Muharam said some of the suspects were caught with banners
sporting critical statements, and ammunition for M16 and AK27
assault rifles. (33/swe)