Rights violations persist in E. Timor

Rights violations persist in E. Timor

DILI: Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo said yesterday he had
not seen any improvement of human rights in the youngest
province despite continuing criticism.

The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate told reporters he had just
completed a tour of the territory and found the young complaining
about rampant human rights violations.

"The situation has not changed,' he said.

The bishop pointed out that the government, the Armed Forces,
community leaders and the public have yet to really apply
themselves to improve respect for basic rights in the former
Portuguese colony.

He called on the youths not to be antagonized by what they
consider to be human rights violations. (33)