Names

• Bishop Basilio Nascimento - Injured/ property destruction

• Fr Hilario Pereira, Catholic Priest - Death confirmed

• Fr Francisco Soares, Catholic Priest - Death confirmed

• 1 Unidentified Catholic Priest - Death confirmed

• Fr Luis Bonaparte - Believed to be killed

• Sr Margarida, Catholic Nun - Death confirmed

• 3 Catholic Nuns (unidentified) Deaths confirmed

Locations Baucau, Suai, Fatumaca, Dili, East Timor

The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) is gravely concerned with the deteriorating situation in East Timor. The ETHRC has received reliable information that today, September 8, Bishop Basilio was stabbed in the hand by militia while trying to protect refugees who were seeking refuge in the Bishop's house. It was also reported that his house was burnt and destroyed. The Bishop has since safely fled Baucau with Salesian priests. Information about the refugees has yet to be confirmed.

The ETHRC has received confirmation from reliable sources that on Wednesday morning, September 8, Sr Margarida, a Canossian nun, was killed in the Lecidere Church in Dili. Also, that three Catholic priests, Fr Hilario, Fr Francisco Soares, an unidentified priest and 3 unidentified Catholic nuns, who were living in Suai, were executed. It has also been reported that Fr Luis Bonaparte was allegedly killed. These killings reportedly took place between Monday September 6 and Wednesday, September 8. ETHRC is making every effort to confirm the exact day. In the town of Fatumaca, the Catholic Salesian college was also destroyed by militias. It was reported that most of the Suai city was burned.

ETHRC's reliable sources have confirmed that Catholic establishments in Dili have been systematically attacked by militia. The following are the names of the establishments that have been burnt: Franciscan Convent in Taibesi, Salesian College in Comoro, Dili, the SVD Convent in Kuluhun, Dili, the Nuns Convent in Kuluhun, Dili the Cathedral in Dili, Moatel Church in Dili, the Seminary, Balide, Dili.

The pattern of violence against the spiritual leaders of East Timor and the other priests and nuns is extremely worrying. The Catholic Church holds a special place in East Timor in that it was always able to provide protection for East Timorese civilians who were experiencing violence or intimidation. The Catholic Church was seen as a sanctuary. But now, the last line of protection and the international voice for the East Timorese is swiftly being destroyed.