On 8 August 1999 the people of East Timor are due to participate in a ballot to determine the future status of the territory. The process was agreed between the UN, Portugal and Indonesia at tripartite talks in May 1999.Amnesty International is concerned about the general atmosphere of insecurity and intimidation in the run-up to the ballot. There is a pattern of extrajudicial executions, illegal detention, torture and ill-treatment, “disappearances” and forced relocations. Responsibility for these lies with the new militia groups, but with the support of the military and, to a lesser extent, the police. The document concludes with Amnesty International’s recommendations.
