EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: ASA 34/02/93

Distr: UA/SC

11 May 1993

Further information on UA 86/93 (ASA 34/01/93, 25 March 1993) - Fear of "disappearance"/Extrajudicial killing

PAPUA NEW GUINEA/BOUGAINVILLE:Ken Savia

Mr Toromura

Gabriel Tameung

Ken Savia, one of three men who "disappeared" after being detained by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) security forces on 13 and 14 February 1993, has reportedly been killed in custody. Reports of his death have heightened fears for the safety of the other two men, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

To date Amnesty International has been unable to establish the precise circumstances of Ken Savia's death. The PNG government has refused to confirm or deny it, although they have acknowledged his arrest. A question asked in the PNG parliament on 10 March seeking clarification of Ken Savia's fate or whereabouts has yet to be answered.

Amnesty International is calling upon the PNG government to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Ken Savia's death and to make the findings of such an investigation public.

The whereabouts of the two others arrested with Ken Savia, Mr Toromura and Gabriel Tameung, remain unknown. One report, still unconfirmed, suggests that they too may have been killed as a result of torture. Amnesty International remains gravely concerned for their safety and is urging the government to clarify immediately their fate or whereabouts.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters either in English or in your own language:

- expressing deep regret at the death of Ken Savia while in military custody and grave concern about the continued "disappearance" of Mr Toromura and Gabriel Tameung following their arrest in February 1993;

- urging the government to act immediately to make known the fate or whereabouts of Mr Toromura and Gabriel Tameung and to release them immediately if they remain in custody and are not to be charged with a recognizable criminal offence;

- calling upon the PNG government to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Ken Savia's death and to make the findings of such an investigation public;

- urging the government to permit international observers, including Amnesty International, to visit Bougainville to investigate the human rights situation.

Page 2 of FU 86/93

APPEALS TO:

1) Prime Minister Paias Wingti

Office of the Prime Minister

PO Box 6605

Boroko, NCD

Papua New Guinea

Telegrams: Prime Minister, Boroko, Papua New Guines

Telexes: 22388

Faxes: + 675 276629

Salutation: Dear Prime Minister Wingti

2) Michael Ogio

Minister of State for Bougainville

Post Office

Wards Strip

Waigani, Papua New Guinea

Telegrams: Minister Ogio, Ministry for Bougainville, Waigani, Papua New Guinea

Faxes: + 675 256117

Salutation: Dear Minister Ogio

3) Paul Tohian

Minister for Defence

Free Mail Bag

Boroko, NCD

Papua New Guinea

Telegrams: Minister Tohian, Defence Ministry, Boroko, Papua New Guinea

Telexes: 22170

Faxes: + 675 254467

Salutation: Dear Minister Tohian

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

John Kaputin

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Post Office

Wards Strip

Waigani, Papua New Guinea

and to diplomatic representatives of Papua New Guinea/Bougainville accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 22 June 1993.