Bahasa Indonesia/Malay:
Buletin La'o Hamutuk:
[PDF format]
Vol. 2, No. 6 & 7 Oktober
2001
Keadilan untuk Timor
Lorosa’e?:
http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/LHv2n6-7bh.pdf
Bahasa Indonesia/Malay:
Okt
01 BLH: Sebuah Tinjauan tentang Komisi untuk Penerimaan, Kebenaran, dan
Rekonsiliasi
Laporan ditambahkan tanggal 9 Febuari
2002
"Pada tanggal 13 Juli, UNTAET mengeluarkan
Regulasi No. 10/2001 membentuk Komisi untuk
Penerimaan, Kebenaran, dan Rekonsiliasi (KPKR) di Timor Lorosa’e. Komisi
ini mempunyai tiga wilayah kegiatan, yang masing-masing bertujuan memajukan
hak asasi manusia di Timor Lorosa’e. Pertama, Komisi menetapkan kebenaran
mengenai pelanggaran-pelanggan hak asasi manusia yang terjadi antara 1974
dan 1999, ... Kedua, KPKR akan membantu “memulihkan martabat kemanusiaan
para korban,” sebagaian dengan memberi mereka kesempatan untuk menyampaikan
kisah-kisah mereka di depan umum. ... Ada keprihatinan bahwa Perserikatan
Bangsa-Bangsa, pemerintah-pemerintah donor, atau pemimpin-pemimpin
politik Timor Lorosa’e bisa menggunakan keberadaan KPKR sebagai alasan
untuk tidak bergerak ke depan memproses hukum mereka yang melakukan Kejahatan
Berat, meskipun kejahatan-kejahatan itu berada di luar cakupan Komisi.
Sebuah pemerintah baru, yang menghadapi persoalan anggaran serta tuntutan
dan desakan (nasional dan internasional) bisa terbujuk untuk menurunkan
prioritas proses hukum, khususnya karena terbatasnya sumberdaya dan pengalaman."
La'o
Hamutuk: Institut Pemantau dan Analisis Rekonstruksi Timor Timur
Bahasa Indonesia/Malay:
Oktober
2001 BLH: Keadilan untuk Timor Lorosa’e?
Laporan ditambahkan tanggal 2 Januari
2002
"Pada Tais Timor terbitan bulan
September 2000, UNTAET memaparkan secara ringkas
“dua puluh keberhasilan besar”-nya, yang tidak menyebutkan sesuatu
yang berkaitan dengan pengadilan kejahatan berat. (“Sistem
peradilan dan hukum” yang mereka sebutkan, hanya berurusan dengan kejahatan
“biasa”.) Diamnya UNTAET mengenai yang telah dicapai dalam hal ini mencerminkan
apa yang secara luas dipandang sebagai tidak adanya kemajuan di bidang
ini. Tentu saja, ini bukan semata persoalan UNTAET, tetapi lebih merupakan
hasil dari kurangnya kemauan politik pada pihak Indonesia dan anggota-anggota
Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa yang paling besar kekuatannya untuk menjamin
bahwa Timor Lorosa’e memperoleh keadilan. Tetapi, ada kelemahan serius
dalam upaya UNTAET untuk menjamin keadilan bagi kejahatan hak asasi manusia
yang dilakukan dalam konteks invasi dan pendudukan Indonesia." La'o
Hamutuk: Institut Pemantau dan Analisis Rekonstruksi Timor Timur
October
2001 IAI: SDF Dispatch to the PKF in ETimor: “Aid with a face”?
Article added Nov 19
"East Timor thus becomes the target zone
in which the [Japanese]
Self-Defense Force aims to advance its own priorities. But toward whom
should we [Japan] be turning our face? The people who were made
to suffer by the Japanese Army in World War II, the people who
suffered from the Indonesian invasion, the people who still live under
the threat of violence by the pro-Jakarta militia,
and the people who are working to build their
land into a new country. To protect its own interests, Japan supported
Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor and turned a blind eye to the slaughter
carried out by the Indonesian military. The crimes we have committed against
the people of East Timor (including the crime of indifference) are not
such as can be erased by aid given after independence. But if, even so,
we want to help East Timor in some way, we have to start by listening to
the East Timorese. The statement of the twelve
East Timorese NGOs on the issue of the SDF dispatch is one such voice."
Namba Mitsuru
A Summary/Chronology of all major events:
October
2001 LHB: Justice and Accountability for East Timor: Sep 99 - Oct 01
Timeline added Nov 15
Oct
31 Colombia: The Situation in East Timor Statement to
Security Council added Nov 13
"Another point that Mr. Vieira de Mello
made relates to the need for proper justice for crimes committed, particularly
the
most serious offences. We have all recently heard many calls
for ad hoc courts or mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of such
crimes are held responsible. This campaign and this activism confirm how
important it is to do away with impunity. However, in our opinion, we must
focus our efforts on the functioning and strengthening of existing institutions
and those that are to be created. In our view, justice and reconciliation
should be fully compatible. Without proper justice being done, we cannot
set out on the road to true coexistence.
The
Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation commissions is very
useful." Ambassador Alfonso Valdivieso, Permanent Representative of Colombia
October
2001 LHB: Commission for Reception, Truth & Reconciliation
Overview added Nov 9
"The
Commission has two general areas of activity ... First, it will establish
the truth regarding human rights violations that took place between 1974
and 1999, ... the Commission will investigate not only individual cases
of rights violations, but also the extent to which the violations were
part of a systematic pattern of abuse. ... The
CRTR will also examine the role of international
actors - such as foreign governments - in its attempt to provide a
full picture of why gross human rights abuses occurred. ... Second, the
CRTR will assist “in restoring the human dignity of victims,” in part by
providing them with the opportunity to tell their stories publicly. It
will also help to promote reconciliation amongst East Timorese by “supporting
the reception and reintegration of individuals who have caused harm to
their communities” by what are deemed as relatively minor acts of violence
(such as killing a few livestock or burning one or two houses)."
La'o
Hamutuk: East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
Ideas for Action in achieving Justice
for East Timor:
October
2001 LHB: Solidarity and International Justice Article
added Nov 9
"In the Philippines, the
Asia-Pacific
Coalition for East Timor (APCET) has suggested that a People’s Tribunal
(unofficial prosecutors presenting evidence to a panel of experts who are
not legal judges) could be a good way to highlight the issues, develop
the evidence, and create momentum toward an official legal court. ... The
next session of the Commission [UN Commission on Human Rights], in March/April
2002, will also require concerted lobbying to ensure that pressure for
justice is maintained. ... The possibility of preparing legal cases against
leading generals and using the courts of countries, such as Belgium, which
have shown a willingness to exercise universal jurisdiction over Crimes
Against Humanity, is an idea which the movement must seriously consider.
Solidarity groups are likely to have the chance to discuss this and other
possible strategies at a conference on impunity in Amsterdam at the beginning
of December." Paul Barber, TAPOL,
the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
October
2001 LHB: An International Tribunal for East Timor? Article
added Nov 9
"The Indonesian and UNTAET
systems are deeply flawed; much of the support for an
international tribunal is based on their perceived failure. However,
there is an assumption that no more can be done to improve their efficacy.
This may be true generally in respect to Indonesia; certainly in the short
and medium term it is reasonable to expect that Jakarta will continue to
avoid a judicial examination of the role of senior officials, or to transfer
them to an alternative jurisdiction. A restructured Serious Crimes Unit,
on the other hand, has the potential to achieve many of the goals that
supporters of an international tribunal seek." Jon Cina, [until
recently] Case Manager and Legal Advisor to UNTAET’s Serious Crimes Unit,
[previously] war crimes investigator in Kosovo & working at the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
October
2001 LHB: Women and Justice Article added Nov 9
"The justice system can
respond to violence against women in a number
of important ways by: * clearly prohibiting violence; * ensuring that the
justice system treats domestic violence in the same way as other forms
of violence; * providing protection for women from continuing violence;
and * providing adequate and just compensation for injuries caused by violence.
... Ensuring that the law itself protects women
and complies with international human rights standards is only the first
step. In addition, there must be effective community
education about women’s rights and sensitive administration of the
laws. It is the responsibility of all those involved in the justice system
law makers, police, prosecutors, lawyers and judges - to ensure that women
achieve full equality before the law." Kate Halliday, Australian-based
lawyer & recent volunteer with FOKUPERS
(East Timorese Women’s Communication Forum) in Dili
October 31st, 2001: U.N. Security Council meeting on East Timor
Oct
31 UN: SC Endorses Proposal to Declare ETimor Independence 20 May
Statement added Nov 6
"The Security Council this afternoon welcomed
the political progress achieved to date towards establishing an independent
East Timorese State, and endorsed the recommendation by the
Constituent Assembly of the Territory that independence be declared
on 20 May 2002. ... Mari Alkatiri, Chief Minister of the Second
Transitional Government of East Timor, stressed the importance of institution-building
and the gradual transfer of administrative
functions to East Timorese civil servants." U.N. Security Council
Oct
30 Aus: Gusmao blasts Ruddock on Refugees News added Oct
31
"Commenting on Canberra’s current
handling of refugees boatloads, which have been diverted to far-flung
Pacific territories, Gusmao said he personally had experience of Australian
reluctance to take in refugees. He recalled that when violence engulfed
East Timor after it voted for independence in August 1999, he met Australian
Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock to appeal for a few East Timorese students
being harassed in Indonesia to be allowed entry to Darwin “as a bridge
to East Timor”. ... “But Mr Ruddock said no,” " AFP
Oct
29 APCET letter to UN Security Council on International Tribunal
Letter added Oct 31
"We are writing to urge you to establish
an international
tribunal to try the war
crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in East Timor
from 1975 onward. ... [We are] hopeful that your Excellencies will mark
this month’s commemoration of the UN’s birthing by being true to the principles
of which you were founded. In this era when peoples of the world have almost
lost faith and trust in entities such as the UN, establishing an international
tribunal for East Timor will be an apt celebration of the ideals that engendered
the UN." Mr. Augusto N. Miclat, Jr., Coordinator, APCET,
the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor [The coalition includes 17
affiliates from Asia-Pacific countries]
Oct
27 RDP: Timorese leader rejects fresh general elections after independence
Interview added Oct 31
"I can assure you that we will not have
general elections. I am saying this on behalf of the party which holds
the majority in the constituent assembly. [FRETILIN]
... I am a member of the constituent assembly,
an elected and sovereign body, and it will be the assembly that shall
decide this. ... when we laid down the electoral law, and when we discussed
these elections, discussions that also took place at the CNRT
[the National Council of the Timorese Resistance, now defunct], it
was decided that the constituent assembly would become a legislative and
parliamentary assembly." Mari Alkatiri, chief minister of the provisional
government
Portuguese:
Out
25 OTL: A Indonésia deixa o regresso dos refugiados nas mãos
dos dirigentes pró-autonomia
Reportagem de Dec 18
"[refugiados]
Os regressos aumentaram bruscamente quando alguns dirigentes que haviam
defendido
a autonomia na Indonésia decidiram aceitar a independência
e voltar para Timor Leste levando consigo um grande número de refugiados.
Representam mais de 75% dos repatriamentos desde 14 de Setembro o que evidencia
o peso que os chefes de milícias/UNTAS
continuam a ter sobre os refugiados em Timor Ocidental. Quanto ao poder
indonésio, as suas hesitações e contradições
mostram não só a sua falta de vontade de resolver um problema
que causou, mas também falta de interesse em esclarecer o passado
e evitar os mesmos erros no futuro." Observatório
Timor Leste
Oct
25 ETO: Refugees’ repatriation to ETimor in the hands of pro-autonomy leaders
Article added Nov 8
"Returns [of 'refugees']
to East Timor suddenly increased when some leaders, who had hitherto been
staunch supporters of autonomy in Indonesia,
decided to recognise independence and advocate repatriation to East Timor,
taking with them a large number of refugees. Repatriation in these circumstances
account for over 75% of the returns since 14 September - clear evidence
of the influence that militia/UNTAS leaders
still wield over refugees in West Timor. The delays and contradictions
on the part of Indonesia illustrate not only lack of will to resolve a
problem that it caused itself, but also a lack of interest in clarifying
the past and avoiding the same mistakes in the future." East
Timor Observatory
October
2001 LHB: Justice for East Timor? Article added Oct 30
"In the September 2001 issue
of Tais Timor, UNTAET outlines its “twenty major
achievements,” which do not include anything related to Serious Crimes
prosecution. (Their claimed “functioning
judicial and legal system” deals only with “ordinary” crimes.) UNTAET’s
silence about its achievements reflects what is widely seen as insufficient
progress in this area. Of course, this is a problem not only of UNTAET’s
making, but more importantly a result of the lack of political will on
the part of Indonesia and the United Nations’ most powerful members to
ensure that East Timor sees justice. Nevertheless, there are serious shortcomings
with UNTAET’s efforts to ensure justice for human
rights crimes committed in the context of Indonesia’s invasion and
occupation." La'o
Hamutuk: East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
October
2001 LHB: UNTAET and “Serious Crimes” Article added Oct
30
"Since the arrival of UNTAET,
one of its most critical responsibilities has been to initiate and achieve
accountability for some of those who perpetrated crimes
against the people of East Timor during 1999. ... many East Timorese
and internationals here feel that investigations and prosecution of Serious
Crimes are moving much too slowly, and that the goals set by the SCU fail
to include the systematic and coordinated nature of the atrocities, or
to explore crimes committed before 1999. Many believe that the problems
stem from several principal factors: mismanagement, incompetence, lack
of vision, inadequate resources, and insufficient political will within
the international community." La'o
Hamutuk: East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
October
2001 LHB: East Timor’s New Judicial System Article added
Oct 30
"It is vital that the international
community continues to support and provide material assistance to the fledgling
justice system well beyond the expiration of the UNTAET mandate. If the
new justice system does not receive the necessary support, the legacy of
impunity and corruption left by Indonesia will continue to undermine the
development of the rule of law in an independent East Timor."
The
Judicial System Monitoring Programme
Bahasa Indonesia:
Okt
25 FAETTA: Kubur2 Indonesia selamat di Timor Lorosa’e
Keterangan Media ditambahkan tanggal 30
Oktober
"Surat kabar Jakarta Post menyampaikan,
"Penduduk Timor-Timur meminta dengan paksa supaya penguasa-penguasa Indonesia
mengali dan memindahkan tulang-tulang yang tersisa ke tanah Indonesia."
Departemen Luar Negeri, dan Pemerintah Timor-Timur berturut-turut menyangkal
kalau mereka belum pernah dengan paksa meminta hal semacam itu. Penguasa-penguasa
Indonesia secara langsung maupun tidak langsung belum pernah menanyakan
masalah ini kepada Departemen Luar Negeri. Hal ini adalah pandangan dari
pengamat-pengamat politik di Timor-Timur kalau kuburan-kuburan pejuang
Indonesia, dan warga penduduk Indonesia lainnya yang dimakamkan di Timor-Timur
haruslah dihormati selayaknya dengan makam yang lainnya, diluar dari sejarah
dan alasan politik." Departemen Luar Negeri dan Kerjasama, Pemerintahan
Transisi Kedua Timor-Timur
Oct
25 FAETTA: Indonesian graves safe in East Timor Release
added Oct 30
"The Jakarta Post story stated, “The East
Timorese demanded that the Indonesian authorities exhume all the graves
and remove the remains to Indonesian territory.” The Foreign Ministry,
and the Government of East Timor categorically deny that there has been
such a demand. ... It is the view of the East Timorese political leaders
that the graves of Indonesian soldiers, and other Indonesian citizens buried
in East Timor are sites that must be respected like any other burial site,
regardless of the historical and political roots." Department of Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation, Second Transitional Government
East Timor
Oct
24 UNTAET: Two New Institutions to Fight Poverty Approved
News added Oct 30
"The East Timorese
Council of Ministers today approved the creation of two new institutions,
a Foundation for the Reduction of Poverty in East Timor and a Society for
Micro-finance in East Timor, following agreements between UNTAET and the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed in December 2000." United Nations
Transitional Administration in East Timor
Oct
24 ET NGOs: Urgent Steps Needed to Establish Justice Letter
added Oct 27
"We urge the United Nations not to leave
East Timor alone with the consequences of the crimes
so terrible that they are characterized as against all humanity. It
is time to take immediate steps to establish an
International Tribunal for East Timor. This is the only mechanism that
could address the current need for justice, the missing element so far,
in the process of nation building for East Timor and worldwide respect
for human dignity." Yayasan HAK; Lao
Hamutuk; FOKUPERS; Bishop
Belo’s Center for Peace and Development Kdadalak Sulimutu Institute (KSI);
Working Group for Electoral Education (KKPP); Judicial
System Monitoring Project (JSMP); East
Timor Student Solidarity Council (ETSC); Student Solidarity Council
of Oe-Cusse; Yayasan Timor Nabilan;
Nove-Nove Survivers Group (Maliana); NGO Forum
Oct
24 Internationals in ET write UN Security Council on Justice
Letter added Oct 27
"We
are writing as citizens of many countries who currently reside in East
Timor (Timor Lorosa’e), working with a variety of organizations. ... After
two years, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
is winding down. East Timor will be independent soon. It would compound
the
crimes already committed here if this tiny, poor nation which has endured
so much terror is left on its own to cope with criminals who still hold
positions of power in its huge neighbor. The period of U.N. responsibility
for East Timor must leave a legacy of justice and accountability if East
Timor is to succeed as a member of the world community." J Conway (Asia-Pacific
Support Collective); Sr. B Guhit (Bishop
Belo’s Center for Peace & Development); J Gunter; C Serreira e
Freire (Oikos); M Hachisuka (La’o Hamutuk);
T Irawati (FORTILOS); V Joshi (LH); N
Katjasungkana (FORTILOS); I Lempp; J Newton (Caritas
Australia); S Martin (CA); H McCaughey
(Australian Volunteers International); C Ranheim (Judicial
Systems Monitoring Programme); S Rosa; C Scheiner (International
Federation for East Timor); P Sexton (LH);
A de Sousa (LH); J Sternberg
Oct
23 WPI: Indonesia at the Crossroads: U.S. Weapons Sales and Military Training
[75kb] Report added Oct 24
"As he [US President Bush] builds a
coalition to fight terrorism, Bush is in danger of arming and training
some of the Pacific region’s worst tools of terror—namely the Indonesian
military. ... In December 1975, Indonesia invaded the new nation of East
Timor, which had just declared itself independent from Portuguese colonizers.
Within five years, more
than 200,000 people, one-third of the pre-invasion population, had been
killed, ... given the current instability [within Indonesia], it seems
self evident that new
shipments of weapons and military training from the United States [to
Indonesia] would only pour gas on the raging fire of this 17,000-island
archipelago." Frida Berrigan, author of this special report
Oct
22 SMH: Tampa Affair: How the UN blocked ETimor solution
Article added Oct 25
"Frustrated by the increasingly embarrassing
Tampa
[asylum seekers] standoff, the Australian Government turned to its
aid-supported neighbours for help. ... when East Timor was approached,
the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, stepped in to block the plan. ...
The trouble is, the Tampa operation has used up much of the goodwill Australia
once enjoyed on refugee questions. ... But with the erection of a second
camp on Nauru and negotiations to build yet more camps on Fiji, Palau and
Kiribati, the question remains: where can these people go in the end except
where they were always heading, Australia? All we can say for certain is
that they won’t be back here [Australia] before the [Federal] election."
Marian Wilkinson and David Marr
Oct
20 Free East Timor! Japan Coalition writes to UNSG re international tribunal
Letter added Nov 13
"The recent attacks
against the United States, which resulted in the deaths of thousands
of innocent people, have been rightly condemned by the international community
as acts of terrorism. The world has been united in its calls for the perpetrators
of these terrible crimes to be identified and brought to justice; ... Just
as the victims of the U.S. attacks deserve justice, so do the East Timorese.
Terrorism, which is generally defined as the systematic use of violence
to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring
about a particular political objective, is an accurate description of the
sufferings
inflicted on the East Timorese people by the Indonesian military during
the 24 years of Indonesian occupation." Free
East Timor! Japan Coalition
Oct
18 United Timorese NGOs calls for an international ad hoc tribunal
Call added Oct 19
"During a
seminar on justice for East Timor on 16 October 2001, all participating
Timorese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) unanimously called for the
establishment of an international ad hoc tribunal
with the jurisdiction to try international crimes committed after the Indonesian
invasion in 1975. ... All NGOs emphasized the need to bring justice to
the victims, to avoid further human rights violations in Indonesia and
the responsibility of the international community to try crimes against
humanity committed during an Indonesian occupation which was never legally
recognized by the United Nations." Judicial System
Monitoring Programme
Oct
17 ETimorese NGOs write DSRSG re Justice, Indonesia Letter
added Oct 20
"One of the outcomes of this
meeting [16 October 2001] was a resolution that it is an
International Tribunal that would be the most viable means of holding
those senior government and military officials to account. Being aware
of your planned visit to Indonesia, another outcome of the meeting was
the resolution to bring to your attention our strong views and lasting
commitment to ensure that those known Indonesia figures who have documented
involvement the attempted
genocide of the East Timorese will face justice." Ubalda Alves FOKUPERS,
Joaquím Fonseca Yayasan HAK,
Tomás Freitas Lao Hamutuk (Representatives
from the 16 October meeting)
Oct
17 STL: Othman replaced as General Prosecutor in East Timor
News from ETimor added Oct 19
“Mari Alkateri [head of government] agreed
to my proposal after a long consultation process, and agreed to the choice
of Longginhos Monteiro as a General Prosecutor. I do expect that Longginhos
will lead his office, and work well with his staff” UNTAET
Transitional Administrator Sergio Viera de Mello
“When I was working, I could not speak
the language, so by choosing the new general prosecutor, he may more easily
coordinate the work of the office in accordance with local culture, in
order to achieve justice” Mohamed Othman, previous General Prosecutor
Bahasa Indonesia/Melayu:
Laporan Seminar Sehari
di Dili, Timor Lorosa'e: [PDF format]
16 Oktober 2001
Keadilan and Pertanggungjawaban
di Timor Lorosa'e
Pengadilan Internasional
dan Pilihan Lain
Diselenggarakan oleh: Forum
NGO Nasional Timor Lorosa'e, Yayasan
HAK, La'o Hamutuk, FOKUPERS,
Caritas
Australia, Judicial System Monitoring Programme
(JSMP)
http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/justbahasa.pdf
Bahasa Indonesia/Melayu:
Okt
16 NGOs: Keadilan and Pertanggungjawaban di Timor Lorosa'e - Agenda Seminar
Laporan ditambahkan tanggal 2 Januari
2002
"Daftar Isi: Agenda Seminar; NGO
Timor Bersatu Menuntut Pengadilan Internasional; Penuntutan Kejahatan Berat
di Timor Lorosa'e; Proses Peradilan di Indonesia untuk Kasus Pelanggaran
Berat Hak Asasi Manusia di Timor Lorosa'e 1999; Penuntutan Kejahatan di
Bawah Proses Peradilan Internasional; Laporan NGO Mengenai Kegiatannya;
Presentasi Kelompok Kerja; Daftar Hadir Peserta Seminar; Surat Kepada Deputi
Pemerintah Transisi UNTAET; Surat dari NGO untuk Dewan Keamanan PBB; Surat
Kepada Dewan Keamanan PBB dari Warga Antarbangsa di Timor Lorosa'e" Forum
NGO Nasional Timor Lorosa'e, Yayasan
HAK, La'o
Hamutuk, FOKUPERS,
Caritas
Australia, Judicial System Monitoring Programme
(JSMP)
Oct
16 FORTILOS/HAK: Justice Process in Indonesia re ET 1999
Article added Nov 15
"With the completion of the work of KPP-HAM,
and entrusted by the international world, the ongoing process lies in the
hands of the Indonesian Attorney General (AG). The AG holds the authority
to decide on which cases and whom to prosecute in court. [issues:] the
AG’s Office doesn’t have enough capability and knowledge to deal with cases
previously unknown in Indonesia, such as “serious
violations of human rights” and/or “violations of international humanitarian
law.” ... so far the AG has not been independent from the government, and
especially not in relationship to the Indonesian National Military (ABRI/TNI).
... one can assume from the beginning of August 2000 on, that certain names
will be deleted from the list to be investigated by the AG. ... The largest
obstacle for the Indonesian National Court of Justice is that the suspects
of serious human rights crimes are Indonesian military (TNI) officers ...
TNI is a very dominant element in the regime that is currently in power
in Indonesia." By Nug Katjasungkana, Solidarity Forum for East Timor in
Indonesia (FORTILOS) and Yayasan HAK,
Foundation of Law, Human Rights, and Justice
Oct
16 FAETTA: Weapons, Political Instability and Poverty
Release added Oct 19
“Weapons producing countries must refrain
from flooding poor countries with conventional weapons, exacerbating local
and regional conflicts, thus contributing to political instability and
impoverishment of already poor countries.” Dr Ramos-Horta told the Forum
2000 Conference in Prague
October 16th
is the 26th anniversary of the murder of 5 Australian
based journalists at Balibo 1975
"The lack of response or protest from
the Australian ALP government over this event led Indonesia to understand
correctly it would have no problems with Australian or US governments with
a future full-on invasion of East Timor. This duly happened, so 300,000
lives are on the hands. It took until September 1999 to reverse the trend."
Robert Wesley Smith rwesley@ozemail.com.au
Oct
16 AETA: Balibo Anniversary: Families Still Await Justice
Release added Oct 17
"Today marks the 26th anniversary of the
death of five Australian-based journalists in Balibo, East Timor. ... The
widow of one of the slain journalists Ms Shirley Shackleton earlier today
told AETA that their is now so much evidence compiled that it is only political
factors that are delaying prosecution. She added that the Australia Government
should hand over the remaining files in their possession to Dili so that
the prosecution case can be made even more water tight." Australia-East
Timor Association (AETA) / NSW
Oct
16 Dili Seminar: Justice and Accountability in East Timor
Invitation added Oct 11
"You are invited to attend a one day seminar
on: 'Justice and Accountability in East Timor:
International
Tribunals and other options'. The purpose of the seminar is to discuss
the progress so far regarding prosecution of crimes
against humanity committed in East Timor and where we go from here.
... The seminar will be held at the Canossian Sisters, Becora, Dili, Timor
Lorosa’e. Tuesday 16th October ... Most of the presentations will be in
Tetun or Bahasa Indonesia. An English interpreter will be available." The
NGO Forum; Yayasan HAK; La’o
Hamutuk; Fokupers; Caritas
Australia; Judicial System Monitoring Programme
Portuguese:
Out
15 OTL: Saúde - a retirada das organizações internacionais
começou Report added Nov 1
"O
sector da saúde é um dos que mais beneficiou da ajuda
internacional de urgência: pessoal técnico qualificado e relativamente
abundante e elevado financiamento exterior, em
particular no quadro do Trust Fund; mas essa situação chega
ao fim. ... As diferenças de formação dos corpos de
profissionais, o importado e o timorense, não facilitou um verdadeiro
trabalho conjunto. ... Enquanto na fase de Administração
das NU as ONG internacionais assumiam a direcção do serviço
de saúde num sector, os médicos recrutados para a fase seguinte
devem inserir-se no serviço de saúde
dirigido por Timorenses e dar maior ênfase às suas funções
de colaboradores. Este trabalho exige qualidades que não se limitam
as qualidades técnicas da medicina. A comunidade internacional deve
cumprir o que prometeu não só na construção
dos edifícios e nos cuidados de saúde mas, sobretudo, na
ajuda à implementação de serviços adaptados
e sustentáveis, essencialmente na ajuda
à formação de profissionais timorenses." Observatório
Timor Leste
Oct
15 ETO: Health - international agencies withdrawing already
Report added Oct 30
"Many international
organisations and Timorese NGOs operating in East Timor since October
1999 were involved in the provision
of health services. They came to provide emergency healthcare and/or
to support the creation of a health service that would adequate address
the needs of the East Timorese after the emergency phase. Two years on,
some agencies are leaving and others are preparing to do so. What is the
health status of the Timorese now, and how has international intervention
helped to consolidate the new country’s health service?" East
Timor Observatory
Oct
15 IRC / Sternberg: Work against sexual & gender based violence
Job added Oct 19
"The [job] position holds lots of possibility
and much challenge, working against violence
against women in a very conservative Catholic country where domestic
violence is a big problem. They [the International Rescue Committee]
have been trying, unsuccessfully, to hire for the job for some time. ...
There are wonderful women here working for women’s rights who would welcome
outside support and expertise!" Jill
Sternberg
Oct
12 RA: Xanana's Poem: World Peace Poem added Oct 16
"Xanana Gusmao
carries many titles .. freedom fighter .. presidential candidate .. big
brother to a nation. In Australia this week he carried all these titles
plus one other .. poet." Radio Australia
Oct
12 ABC: Justice no closer for victims of atrocities in East Timor
News added Oct 13
“It turns out I was mistaken in implying
a logical outcome to this M.O.U. [Memorandum of Understanding between the
U-N and Indonesia] In practise, the government of the Republic of Indonesia
has reneged on this M.O.U. meaning that there has not been any transfer
of evidence and witnesses let alone suspects to be tried by the special
panel.” Convenor of the East Timor Jurists Association, Aderito Soares
Oct
11 Woodcroft-Lee: Friendship Cities: Relationships between Localities in
Australia & Timor Lorosa'e Overview added Oct 11
"The following is a summary of the information
I have been able to obtain by discussions with representatives of several
Melbourne councils, the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and
two regions in New South Wales, concerning their friendship city programs
with various towns and districts in Timor Lorosa'e. ... A key principle
underlying the friendship relationship is that it should function both
ways. ... I would welcome any suggestions as to how we [Canberrans] could
initiate the steps necessary to set up a partnership arrangement, either
with a specific region or with grassroots organisations in Timor Lorosa'e."
(Mrs) Patricia Woodcroft-Lee, Canberra ratepayer [Australia]
Oct
10 Timorese journalists: UN not up to task News added
Oct 13
"[Carlito] Caminha said the UN was trying
to lead a “new colonisation” of East Timor. ... Caminha added that in his
native Tetum language, UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration
in East Timor) translates colloquially as “UN Comes To Destroy East Timor”.
[Gil] Da Costa said that the UN exploited the local Timorese workers by
paying them $US6 a day for jobs for which they themselves earned top international
dollars. As a result of these wage disparities, UN workers were the only
people that could afford to visit the sole Westernised grocery store on
the island, which is run by Australians." East Timor Press reporting team
Oct
10 ABC: Gusmao: Priorities for the New Nation Interview
added Oct 13
"I think the important question is how
can we achieve peace? ... Of course we will not deny justice, the need
of justice that if we look at justice in very formal way in terms of trial,
punishment, prison, maybe we don’t solve the situation, the situation of
the feeling of the people and that’s why to reconcile two sides it needs
one who can reconsider, can recognise that he did mistakes and from the
other side the willingness to forgive - that is reconciliation."
East
Timor’s poet revolutionary and presidential nominee Xanana Gusmao
Oct
10 CSM: A Long Wait for Justice in East Timor Article
added Oct 11
"Pressure to try
human rights cases against the Indonesian military ebbs amid counterterror
push. ... with a war on global terrorism bringing
potential US allies across Asia in from the cold, Indonesia’s commanders
may never be held accountable. One sign of that thaw is the US government’s
decision last month to resume low-level
military ties with Indonesia, which had been suspended over the East
Timor violence. The resumption of ties came as Indonesian
President Megawati Sukarnoputri met with President Bush to voice support
for the US-led counterterror campaign. ... Given the push to cement links
with moderate Islamic nations, opponents in Congress may find it hard to
refuse further military cooperation with the world’s
most populous Muslim country, despite its tarnished record."
Simon
Montlake, Jakarta, Indonesia
Oct
10 WSLS: New ASIO Powers Threaten Democratic Rights Urgent
Action added Oct 10
"New Powers: * ASIO to get powers
of arrest and detention for up to 48 hours; * the removal of the right
to silence when under questioning; * the creation of terrorist offences
and related legislation violating the rights to freedom of expression,
assembly and association. ... In the understandable fear generated since
the
September 11 attacks and with the climate of war, fundamental civil
liberties are under threat. The [Australian] Federal Government, backed
by Labor, has announced substantial new powers for Australia’s spy agency
ASIO and is proposing anti-terrorism laws that could violate basic rights
and freedoms. ... In Australia, support for the East Timorese’s independence
movement could have been banned." Damien Lawson, Western Suburbs Legal
Service, Melbourne, Australia
Oct
9 Age: US air strikes upset Gusmao News added Oct 10
“World leaders and all the people around
the world must fight against all the economic imbalances and social problems
rather than using violence to respond to violence, ... That is something
that makes the East Timorese very sad because we believe powerful nations
could start the 21st century with new policies, a new understanding and
new mechanisms in which all people can love each other ... I would
like to see the US and other countries seek another approach using all
means but not violence.” East Timor’s independence leader Mr Jose “Xanana”
Gusmao, at launch of the Melbourne Festival [Australia]
Oct
7 FAETTA / Niner: Biography of Mr Xanana Gusmao Info added
Oct 14
"Jose Alexandre Gusmão was born
on June 20, 1946 in Manatuto, on the north coast of Portuguese Timor. The
second of eight children and eldest son, he was raised in various parts
of the country. His parents were devout Catholics; his father a schoolteacher
and catechist. He completed primary school at the Catholic mission of St
Theresa’s in Ossu where his father taught, then went on to the Jesuit seminary
“Nossa Senhora de Fatima” in Dare and later to night school at the Liceu
in Dili. He began work to help support himself early in life and worked
various jobs as a young man: a chartered surveyor, a teacher, a public
servant, a wharf-side worker, a fisherman, a soldier and a laborer. He
began writing for the local newspaper, “A Voz de Timor” (The Voice of Timor)
in 1974. ... " Sarah Niner, Editor of "To Resist is to Win: The
Autobiography of Xanana Gusmao"
Oct
7 RA: Xanana on plight of refugees News added Oct 10
"East Timorese Leader, Xanana Gusmao,
says he hopes the acts of terrorism in the United States
last month don’t make people insensitive to the plight of refugees. ...
He says people have only to watch their television screen to see the suffering
of tens-of-thousands of Afghani refugees, and there are many others suffering
in other countries around the world. ... Besides the problem of going to
the root causes, the people that are suffering need assistance." Radio
Australia
Oct
1 FAETTA: Ramos-Horta Calls for an End to Poverty And Terrorism
Release added Oct 14
“I am saddened by, and strongly condemn,
the attacks on mosques and Muslim believers, long time residents or citizens
of Australia and US. A dastardly arsonist attack took place against a Mosque
in Brisbane. ... As a Catholic I am proud to serve under a Muslim brother
[Dr Mari Alkatiri, devout Muslim and head of government of ETimor], and
I am even more proud that our people have accepted this as absolutely natural.”
Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Nobel Peace Prize
Laureate Dr Jose Ramos-Horta