Dili Justice Seminar report excerpts

The following material relates to a seminar held in Dili on 16 October 2001 entitled Justice And Accountability In East Timor: International Tribunals And Other Options organized by several East Timorese non-governmental organizations.

The three papers presented at the seminar, and the three letters written as its short-term products, have already been posted to this list [east-timor@igc.topica.com] and are not repeated here.

If you would like the 24-page seminar report including all papers, discussions and outcomes of the seminar, write to ifet@etan.org and I will email you an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file. Please indicate if you would like the English or Bahasa Indonesia version.

The full report of the seminar will be available soon at http://www.etan.org/lh/reports.html

-- Charlie Scheiner, La'o Hamutuk

The following organizations presented information regarding their activities in the area of justice and in particular an international tribunal:

Yayasan HAK: Collection of evidence, campaign, organization of survivors, monitoring returning militia, monitoring Indonesian process, research, working with ETAN.

Dewan Solidaritas (Student Solidarity Council): Have a program regarding international tribunal, view recent reconciliation with militia as just diplomacy.

FOKUPERS (Communications Forum for East Timorese Women): Have been collecting data from districts, e.g. Novi Novi in Maliana, and distribute information regarding human rights violations.

KSI (Kdadalak Sulimutuk Institute): Completed research regarding reconciliation and conflict resolution, one of the outcomes being that there must be justice.

KKPP (Kelompok Kerja Pendidikan Pemilu - Working Group for Electoral Education): Strong emphasis on including “victims” in the process.

NGO Forum: Networking and strengthening this process and distributing information.

The Bishop Belo Centre for Justice and Peace: Research into strengths and weaknesses of the different options

APCET (Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor): Support a people’s tribunal alongside a campaign for an international tribunal.

Caritas Australia: Will support an information and awareness campaign in East Timor, campaign in Australia and help generate support in international catholic networks.

ETAN (East Timor Action Network / U.S.): Priority is perpetrators from 75-99, international communities must also take responsibility for the crimes, involvement in civil cases in the U.S.

IFET (International Federation for East Timor): Large international network of organizations campaigning for an international tribunal, wish to work with and seek direction form the East Timorese people.

La’o Hamutuk (East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis): Monitoring, networking and next Bulletin will be on justice.

JSMP (Judicial System Monitoring Programme): Monitoring and dissemination information on the progress of the Special Panel for Serious Crimes.

This is a brief outline. For further information, please contact organizations directly.

Question 1) Is an International Tribunal necessary? Why?
 

Group 1: Yes, because:

» it is very important in order to uphold humanitarian values

» in order to uphold the dignity and values of humanity

» every person has the right to justice

» it will form a unified common struggle without differentiating ethnicity, religion or race as well as economic or political affiliations.

» it could be an education/learning to other nations, in order not to commit similar crimes

» it can serve as a protection for minorities (and to build a movement to prevent future annihilation).
 

Group 2: Yes, is necessary

» Because it guarantees a better life for people with a prospect of justice

» Ensure law and justice in East Timor

» Protection of values of humanity

» Collect data
 

Question 2) If yes, what further things do we need to do?
 

Group 1: Build the participation of the people

» Raise consciousness of the people regarding the importance of justice, by means of a campaign

» Role of NGOs to influence government policies

» Collect proof/documentation of the crimes

» Build a network with other organizations (regional & international)

» Work towards getting the issue of an International Tribunal included in the constitution

» Build a strong protection system (e.g. establishing an organization)

» Take advantage of upcoming events to build a campaign around this issue, such as:

• UN Security Council Meetings

• Donors’ Conference

• International Human Rights Day (10 Dec.)
 

Group 2:

» Initiate a campaign focussing on an international tribunal

» Raise awareness/knowledge of victims of the importance of an international tribunal; also for the general public

» Campaign and lobby at international level (31/10, 10/12 and 7/12 solidarity days for East Timor)

» Influence members of the Constituent Assembly to include an international tribunal into the constitution as a national obligation

» Hold dialogue between the victims and the autonomy leaders
 

Question 3) If no, what are the better options?
 

Group 1: A ‘People’s Tribunal, only if an International Tribunal doesn’t materialize.
 

Group 2:

» To support the Commission on reception, Truth and Reconciliation

» To hold a people’s Tribunal

» To collect data, which should be systematised and secured

» To keep the UN Commission on human rights in East Timor post UNTAET

Notes from group 3 (internationals)
 

1. That Indonesian military and officials must be held accountable.

2. Some ideas in relation to this are:

a. Demand accountability form the Indonesian Government and cooperate with Indonesian human rights groups regarding continuing human rights abuses, now in Aceh and West Papua.

b. Campaign similar to “Who is your neighbour?” i.e. identifying the high ranking perpetrators, where they are now, what positions they hold etc. and publicising it.

c. Collation, archiving and publication of evidence and stories, by supporting local NGO’s already collecting and collating information. (discussed the collection of stories/evidence in Guatemala)

d. Form resolutions from this seminar and commence lobbying, eg with the SRSG and Deputy SRSG.

e. Supporting the call for an International Tribunal by local NGO’s.

f. At UN Security Council meeting 31st October, issue a statement of solidarity

g. Learn from the mistakes of previous Tribunals and make sure they are not repeated in East Timor.

By Joaquim Fonseca

There is a consensus that there should be an international tribunal. This consensus has been arrived at by the different groups for many different reasons including:

• To uphold the values of humanity

• To guarantee the rights to justice

• For the historical record

• To deter similar future crimes

• To foster reconciliation
 

To act upon this consensus, we have discussed some short term and some long term goals.
 

In the long term (this list is not in any order of priority) we need to:

• Collect, catalogue and protect evidence.

• Organise groups of survivors and the families of victims.

• Sensitise the community on the importance of accountability for past crimes for ensuring justice and the rule of law, now and in the future.

• Campaign at local, national and international level. In the short term (not in any particular order of priority) we need to:

• Develop a system of data/evidence collection

• Prepare a statement to give to Dennis McNamara, Deputy SRSG, prior to his visit to Indonesia.

• Prepare a statement for the next Security Council meetings on the 27th and 31st October.

• Call upon international solidarity in support of the establishment of an International Tribunal.

• Look at the prospects of inserting a provision in the constitution guaranteeing justice in the future.

• Lobbying and campaigning.

• Prepare for the international donors meeting in December.

Natercia Coelho, DFA
Deng Giguento, CRS
Maria Afonso, Caritas Australia
Angelina De Jesus, Caritas Australia
Paulo Anuno, FOSEO
Lily Amaral, CRS
Seiara Ikili, MSF
Inge Lempp, NGO Forum
Jose Antonio Rai, FOSEO
Salvador Silva, USAID/OTI
Orlando Edo, IKIPPA
Zulmira C., NGO Forum
Adao Da Costa, ALIZN/EDCTC
Yhocehces Epf, Enomiri
Ruth Hugo, Human Rights Unit UNTAET
Charles Scheiner, La’o Hamutuk, IFET
Frank Elvey, Oxfam
Johnny Viegas, Oxfam
Mouzinho D.A., Lorosae Star
Adelio Tilman, Caritas Australia
Tonette Velasco, CIIR
Jill Sternberg, Peace and Democracy Foundation
Maria Z. A. Soares, Caritas Australia
Rosentina Da Costa, Caritas Australia
Sr. Bernadita, SPC, Centre for Peace and Development
Carla Ferreira, OIKOS
Lita Guterres, OIKOS
Lito Exposto, Yayasan HAK
Tone Sair, PARO
Cecilio, Bia Hula
Sidomio, Freitas IRI
Jesuina Moniz, IRI
Vasco Da Gama, FDM
Joao Pesoinho, Human Rights UNTAET
Sr. Afania José, Yayasan Canossa
Kerry Brogan, Human Rights Unit UNTAET
Pamela Sexton, La’o Hamutuk
Natalino F.D.C, KKPP
Vernasio Geralta Lopo, Jesuit Refugee Service(JRS) Francisco de Jesus JRS
Augusto de Rosa fa Guintio
Joao da Silva Sarmento, DSMTT
Noemio Alves, CDHTL
Joann Kingsley, Interim Office, CRTR
Kendelle Clark, Interim Office, CRTR
Samuel Belo, AOG
Manuela L. Perriera, FOKUPERS
Domingas Verdial, Novi Novi (FOKUPERS)
Ubalda Alves, FOKUPERS
Baque Senge, HI
Titi Irawati, Yayasan HAK
Teresa Barros, APSC
Jude Conway, APSC
Andrew de Sousa, La’o Hamutuk
Joanita Madeira, Caritas Australia
Fernando Pires, Caritas Australia
Nug Katjasungkana, Yayasan HAK, Fortilos
Abilio Belo, Student
Imaculadia da Eruz, FOSEO
Zeca S. Exposto, Radio Rakentoia
Lindo Miranda, Ponto Radio Rakentoia
Takahashi Shigehito, Catholic Bishops Conf. of Japan
Bala, SLINO
Solange Rosa, Oxfam
Seineke Martin, Caritas Australia
Jenny Newton, Caritas Australia
Christian Ranheim, JSMP
Nelson Belo, JSMP
Hannah McCaughey, Yayasan HAK
Joaquim Fonseca, Yayasan HAK
Thomas Freitas, La’o Hamutuk
Henrique Osolio, UNTIL
Sabino G. Fhun, Aksi Penplitian Mahasiswa
Guilermina Dos Santos, SAHE
Abel Santos, SAHE
Jorge N., Lian Maubere
Josephine Dyer, ICMC
Janet Gunter, Care/Independent

The East Timor National NGO Forum (FONGTil)
Kaikoli Street, Dili, Timor Lorosa’e (via Darwin, Australia)
+670(390)322772  etngocentre@hotmail.com

Yayasan HAK
Hukum, Hak Asasi & Keadilan (Law, Human Rights & Justice)
T-091 Gov. Serpa Rosa St., Farol, Dili, Timor Lorosa’e (via Darwin, Australia)
+670(390)313323  yayasanhak@minihub.org

La’o Hamutuk
The East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
P.O. Box 340, Dili, Timor Lorosa’e (via Darwin, Australia)
+670(390)325013 or +61(408)811373 (mobile)
laohamutuk@easttimor.minihub.org | http://www.etan.org/lh

FOKUPERS
Communcations Forum for East Timorese Women
Rua Governador Celestino da Silva,
Farol, Dili, Timor Lorosa’e (via Darwin, Australia)
+670(390)321534  fokupers@fokupers.minihub.org

Caritas Australia
P.O. Box 196, Dili, Timor Lorosa’e (via Darwin, Australia)
Fax: +670(390)313274  jennyanewton@hotmail.com

Judicial System Monitoring Programme
Sahe Institute building, Rua da Mozambique I/1-A Palapaso, Dili -- East Timor (via Darwin, Australia)
Phone: +61(419)804 600 info@jsmp.minihub.org | http://www.jsmp.minihub.org

Charles Scheiner
La'o Hamutuk
P.O. Box 340, Dili, East Timor (via Darwin, Australia)
Telephone:+61-417-923273 or +670-390-325013
charlie@etan.org
http://www.etan.org/lh

English:
La'o Hamutuk: East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis  Updated Oct 30
La'o Hamutuk is a registered East Timorese non-government organization (ETNGO)
La'o Hamutuk (Tetum for Walking Together) is a joint East Timorese-international organization that seeks to monitor, to analyze, and to report on the reconstruction activities of the principal international institutions. It believes that the people of East Timor must be the ultimate decisionmakers in the reconstruction process and that the process should be as democratic and transparent as possible ...
East Timorese staff: Inès Martins, Fernando da Silva, Thomas Freitas; International staff: Pamela Sexton, Mark Salzer Executive board: Sr. Maria Dias, Joseph Nevins, Fr. Jovito Rego de Jesus Araùjo, Aderito de Jesus Soares Translators: Maria Bernardino, Tom‚ Xavier Jeronimo JSMP staff: Christian Ranheim, Caitlin Reiger, Rayner Thwaites
International contact: +1-510-643-4507 Email: lh@etan.org Homepage: http://www.etan.org/lh
La’o Hamutuk Bulletin: http://www.etan.org/lh/bulletin.html
Mar 23 2001 LH: Job announcement for La'o Hamutuk in East Timor: http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/01marjob.htmActivity Report: Mar 16 2001 LH: http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/01marlhreport.html

See also:
BD: Calls for International War Crimes Tribunal - A collection of recent reports, articles and news