UK envoy discusses rights in E. Timor

UK envoy discusses rights in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor: British deputy head of mission, Quinton
Quayle, has held talks with head of the provincial office of the
National Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS), Florentino
Sarmento, on the latest developments in human rights in East
Timor.

"We talked about human rights as well as economic and
political issues," Florentino was quoted by Antara as saying
after their one-hour meeting here Friday.

He said the settlement of the East Timor conflict should touch
on and prioritize human rights for the East Timorese.

There are certain groups who use violence to achieve their
goals, he said, adding that civilians, particularly those living
in villages, become the victims of armed conflict between
security officers and members of security disturbance groups.

He cited as an example the killing of an elementary school
teacher in front of his own students by a member of the security
disturbance group, Falentil.

"We must stop armed conflict as it is against the law and
human rights," Florentino said, adding that all conflicting
parties must exercise restraint.

"Neither Falentil nor the military can continue using arms to
achieve their political objectives," he added.

He acknowledged that foreign parties continue to accuse the
military of being the only group which violates human rights in
East Timor.