Dili, May 7, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Rede ba Rai held a press conference regarding the alleged illegal arrest of a community member, Cosmas Olin, from Naktuka, expressing their concern and urging an immediate end to the criminalization of local residents. The event was held at the Rede ba Rai headquarters in Farol.
In the statement, Rede ba Rai spokesperson Ribenia do Rego conveyed the network’s regret over the criminalization of the Naktuka community by the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), particularly the recent arrest of Cosmas Olin. The community has long spoken out about their dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to install new border markers on lands they rely on for farming and livelihood, claiming these actions would result in the loss of their fields, land, and way of life.
“The chronology of the arrest of Cosmas Olin happened on 28 April in Naktuka, Bene Ufe, around 3 PM, when he went to check on his land and livestock. At that point, PNTL’s UPF unit apprehended him and physically assaulted the community member, beating and kicking him. Then, approximately 10 UPF officers brought him to a PNTL facility in Oe-cusse Vila and confiscated his mobile phone. He was detained for 17 hours before being released, but the phone was never returned. Furthermore, PNTL issued a media statement portraying Cosmas as a provocateur, which we see as illogical and false. He and his community are merely defending their land and refusing to surrender it to Indonesia,” said Ribenia do Rego.
Rede ba Rai also questioned the legality of the seizure of Cosmas Olin’s phone, pointing out that the arrest was unlawful since the device is not related to any crime and no court order was issued. The group emphasized that such actions are illegal and violate due process.
Rede ba Rai used the moment to affirm that it is a civil society organization working professionally and independently of political parties. It advocates for democracy and community rights, including land rights, regardless of which political party is in power. The organization has also supported the state in protecting public property from land mafias.
The group has been monitoring the Naktuka community, which it says is at risk of losing 270 hectares of farmland affecting around 313 families, due to the newly proposed terrestrial border demarcation by the government of Timor-Leste.
With this situation, Rede ba Rai made the following demands:
- To the PNTL:
- Clarify to the public the process of Cosmas Olin’s arrest and the publication that portrayed him as a provocateur, by presenting factual evidence to support the accusations.
- Return Mr. Cosmas Olin’s phone, which was illegally seized without a court order, and acknowledge that it is private property unrelated to any crime.
- Respect human rights and legal procedures during community interventions to maintain public trust in state security forces.
- To the Government of Timor-Leste:
- Renegotiate the new terrestrial border demarcation process, especially in Naktuka, to ensure communities do not lose their lands.
- Conduct thorough consultations with local landowners and farmers before implementing any border-related decisions, ensuring community involvement in decision-making.
- Base any border negotiations on the 1904 The Hague Agreement, previously accepted by Portugal and the Netherlands as the framework for delimitation.
- To Civil Society Organizations, Social Movements, Resistance Organizations, and Student Groups:
- Express solidarity and monitor the situation in Naktuka to help prevent abuse of power by authorities.
- Join together in joint advocacy to defend the land rights of communities and uphold the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL).
Report: Press Release
Photo: Domingas