Sir, It is interesting that Mrs Munthe of the Indonesian Embassy should quote Amnesty International as a credible source as to Fretilin abuses in East Timor in 1975, while the Indonesian authorities continue to accuse us of exaggeration, bias and unbalanced reporting when we document systematic and widespread human rights violations, not only in East Timor, but throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
Indonesia is responsible for the serious and ongoing pattern of human rights violations in East Timor. The most recent examples are the arrests following the riots at Baucau and the more than 300 arrests following riots in September and October last year (arbitrary detention and torture Al index: ASA, March 21st).
Once again, we ask Mrs Munthe: when will Amnesty International be afforded free and unhindered access to East Timor and all parts of Indonesia? - Yours, etc.,
Campaign coordinator,
Amnesty International,
Sean MacBride House,
48 Fleet Street,
Dublin 2.