UN concerned over East Timor abuses
UN concerned over East Timor abuses
GENEVA (Agencies): The United Nations Human Rights Commission expressed "deep concern" on Tuesday over allegations of human rights violation in East Timor.
In a statement from the chairman of the 53-member body, adopted by consensus, it also called on Indonesia to fully investigate a November 1991 incident in which dozens of East Timorese demonstrators were killed in clashes with Indonesian troops.
The statement by the UN's main human rights body urged Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to continue his efforts toward "achieving a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question of the East Timor".
The United Nations still regards Portugal, East Timor's former colonial power, as the administering power in the territory which has integrated with Indonesia since 1976.
"The Commission continues to follow with deep concern the reports on violations of human rights in East Timor," it said.
The statement recalled Indonesia's pledges to promote human rights in East Timor and stressed the need to take further steps toward their implementation, "including the early release of the East Timorese detained or convicted and the further clarification of the circumstances surrounding the Dili incident of 1991."
The Commission welcomed the visit last December to East Timor by UN Human Rights Commissioner Jose Ayala Lasso. In his report published in March, he cited allegations of "very grave violations" of human rights there and called for improvement.
The commission also welcomed the declared intention of the Indonesian government to invite a special rapporteur next year.
The statement expressed satisfaction at easier access by the international media and humanitarian organizations to East Timor, "which should contribute to the future presence of human rights organizations."
But it added that it was necessary for the Indonesian government to take further steps to implement and foster human rights.
On Tuesday the commission adopted resolutions on human rights situations in several countries, with the exceptions only of Colombia and East Timor, which were covered only by chairman's statements.