(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 […]
(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:
not been answered favourably by the Indonesian authorities
killings and particularly the involvement of senior ABRI figures including
Lt-Gen Yunus
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.
