EWER Alert: Despite Government Ban, Illegal Martial Arts Groups Continue to Operate and Perpetrate Violence

In recent months, Beluna’s Early Warning, Early Response (EWER) System has recorded numerous violent incidents involving members of now-illegal Martial Arts Groups (MAGs). These incidents continue to occur, despite a 2013 government resolution that banned three such groups (IKS, KORKA and PSHT) and a ceremony held earlier this year at which members of the PNTL and F-FDTL relinquished membership in these groups. Most recently, on 3 May at 4pm in the Bebonuk area of Comoro Suku in Dili, the EWER system recorded an attempted murder after a Martial Arts competition organized by two illegal groups (IKS and PSHT). For more information please read the full Alert here.