[...] Those responsible for the violence against civilians in East Timor as well as against humanitarian personnel and premises will one day face justice under international law. The necessity of fighting impunity for such serious crimes highlights the need for mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court to become fully operational. Finally, UNICEF expresses it readiness to resume its humanitarian role and to help provide essential services for the survival, protection and development of children as soon as a peaceful environment is restored.[...]

Tuesday, 7 September 1999:

The indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations in East Timor, in particular children and women, is an outrageous response to the peoples' free choice for independence.

The violence in East Timor exemplifies the total disregard for all humanitarian standards which increasingly characterizes conflicts around the globe. In a few short months, we have moved from the horror of amputation in Sierra Leone to the unbelievable practice of decapitation in East Timor. UNICEF condemns in the strongest terms such an assault on the norms of decency and respect for human rights. It has become clear that the nature of conflict at the end of the century is far worse than it was at the beginning. It is a hundred years' slide into barbarity.

In particular, UNICEF is extremely concerned about the lack of safe havens for thousands of children and women who have been forced to flee internationally protected places, including churches, schools, hospitals and humanitarian premises. UNICEF is especially alarmed about the lack of access to food, water, sanitation facilities and any kind of protection for civilians who have fled to the mountains or have been forced into other parts of the territory, as well as countless others seeking shelter in the besieged United Nations compound.

UNICEF in particular condemns the attack on the residence of Nobel Peace Laureate Bishop Carlos Belo, who was forced to flee. This act put at serious risk thousands of people who had sought refuge and protection on the premises.

The current situation will be particularly aggravated by the fact that humanitarian personnel, including UNICEF staff, have been forced to evacuate from the territory. Until the current violence is curtailed and security conditions restored, safe and unimpeded access to these endangered populations will be eextremely difficult an their lives will be seriously at risk.

In addition, the targeting of United Nations and humanitarian personnel is a direct breach of international law. The destabilisation of East Timor, which prevents the UN-backed process of transition to independence, is an affront to

the mandate and principles under which the UN operates in the territory.

UNICEF welcomes the willingness of the Indonesian government to explore with a high-level Security Council mission concrete steps to restore peace and tranquillity to EastTimor. It further welcomes the recent release of East Timorese pro-independence leader Xanana Gusmao.

But UNICEF emphasizes the urgent need for rapid action to end the violence in the territory and to resume humanitarian action and assistance. In particular, it calls on the Indonesian authorities to adopt urgent measures to effectively protect and care for children and women and to ensure full respect for humanitarian law and for the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Humanitarian and United Nations personnel, including local staff, still present in the territory must be similarly protected.

Those responsible for the violence against civilians in East Timor as well as against humanitarian personnel and premises will one day face justice under international law. The necessity of fighting impunity for such serious crimes highlights the need for mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court to become fully operational. Finally, UNICEF expresses it readiness to resume its humanitarian role and to help provide essential services for the survival, protection and development of children as soon as a peaceful environment is restored.