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Alert

IFJ calls for further investigation into 1975 killings of journalists in East Timor

(IFJ/IFEX) - In a 30 September 1998 letter to the Indonesian President, IFJ
expressed concern at recent reports concerning the deaths of journalists in
East Timor in 1975 According to the IFJ, five Australian-based media workers
were killed in Balibo, East Timor on 16 October 1975. Recent reports have
again raised the claim that these journalists were deliberately killed
either by Indonesian military or by forces under the control of ABRI, the
Indonesian armed forces. There have been reports that units under the
control of Lieutenant General Muhammed Yunus were involved in the killing.




**For background, see IFEX alert dated 25 May 1998**
In a recent meeting with an IFJ delegation, Lt-Gnl Yunus said he knew
nothing of the killings at the time.

A sixth Australian journalist, Roger East, also disappeared in Dili (the
capital city) some days after the Balibo shootings amid credible reports
that he was executed by ABRI soldiers.

The IFJ believes it is time for the Indonesian Government to conduct a full,
open and independent inquiry into these deaths. It may be appropriate for
this inquiry to be conducted jointly with the Australian Government.

Recommended Action

Send appeals to President B J Habibie:

expressing concern that calls for further inquiries into these deaths have
not been answered favourably by the Indonesian authorities

urging him to launch a full and independent investigation into these
killings and particularly the involvement of senior ABRI figures including
Lt-Gen Yunus

requesting that the findings of such an investigation be made public

Appeals To

President B J Habibie
Secretary of State
Jalan Veteran No 16
Jakarta Pusat
Fax: +62 21 386 0189

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219

 

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