BACK DOOR Newsletter on East Timor

Up-dated: Mostly 2002, Some 2004

For Up-to-date Links and info on East Timor go to: http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/Links.htm
(East Timor info on the sites listed below is updated irregularly and may not be current)

Contents:

EAST TIMORESE:

Grassroots Organisations & Networks (based within ETimor)
Organisasi dan jaringan populer  Updated Jan 24, 2002

Political Parties
Partidos Políticos
Partai Politik
Partidu Polítiku  Updated Jan 22, 2002

Leaders and personalities  Updated Feb 1, 2002

PARTNERSHIPS:
Note: The quality, depth and extent of partnership varies considerably from one organisation to another.
See this analysis: Aug 2000 AID/WATCH: Partnership versus ‘consultation’ in East Timor

Watching & Monitoring Reconstruction  Updated Aug 21, 2004

East Timorese - International  Updated Jul 14, 2004

East Timorese - Australian  Updated Feb 7, 2002

East Timorese - National (except Australia)  Updated Jan 19, 2002

OTHER:

Pro-autonomy Political Parties & Movements
Pró autonomia Partidos políticos e Movimentos
Partai pendukung otonomi  Updated Dec 18

Bahasa Indonesia:
Yayasan HAK - Yayasan Hukum, Hak Asasi dan Keadilan  Added Mar 1
Maksud Umum: Yayasan Hak didirikan untuk maksud utama dua: 1. Kerja perkara - mewakili korban dan keluarganya di pengadilan. 2. Sokongan anjuran hak asasi manusia - melaporkan dan menerbitkan informasi mengenai HAM, proses pengadilan.
Sejarah Pendek: Yayasan Hak adalah yayasan bantuan hukum yang didirikan pada bulan Maret 1997, dan dibiayai oleh empat kelompok. Hak didirikan untuk menyediakan bermacam-macam pelayanan hukum kepada masyarakat Timor Lorosae.

English:
Yayasan HAK - Foundation of Law, Human Rights, and Justice  Added Mar 1
Human Rights, Advocacy and Community Organising
General Mission: Yayasan Hak has two primary functions: 1. Casework - representing victims and their families in court 2. Human rights advocacy work - monitoring, reporting and publicising human rights information, litigation
Short History: Yayasan Hak is a legal aid foundation set up in March 1997, co-funded by four funding agencies. It was established in order to provide a range of legal services for the people of East Timor.

Tetum: (the most common East Timorese language)
La’o Hamutuk, Instituto Timor Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao  Updated Feb 26
Saida mak La’o Hamutuk? La’o Hamutuk organizasaun klibur Ema Timor Lorosa’e no Ema Internacional ne’ebe buka atu tau matan, halo analize ho halo relatorio kona ba hahalok (actividade) instuisaun internacional ne’ebe oras ne’e haknaar iha Timor Lorosa’e, liu-liu hahalok sira ne’ebe iha relasaun ho rekonstrusaun fizika no social Timor Lorosa’e nian. La’o Hamutuk fiar katak Povo Timor Lorosa’e mak tenke hakotu iha procesu rekonstrusaun ne’e nia laran no procesu rekonstrusaun ne’e tenke demokratiku no transparante duni.
Local Contact:  P.O. Box 340, Dili, East Timor (via Darwin, Australia)  Mobile: +61(408)811373;  Land phone: +670(390)325-013
International contact: +1-510-643-4507
Email: laohamutuk@easttimor.minihub.org  Homepage: http://www.etan.org/lh
Boletim La’o Hamutuk [Tetum PDF format]
Vol. 1, No. 3. 17 Novembro 2000 Hari Sistema Saude Nasional iha Timor Lorosa’e:  http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/LHbul3tm.pdf
Vol. 1, No. 2, 17 Julho 2000 Protesaun ba meio ambiente iha TL: http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/bulletin02tetum.pdf
Vol. 1, No. 1, 21 Juñu 2000 Rekonciliasaun: http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/bulletin01tetum.pdf

English:
La'o Hamutuk: East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis  Updated Jan 23
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, Benjamin Sanchez Afonso; International staff: Pamela Sexton, Mark Salzer Executive board: Sr. Maria Dias, Joseph Nevins, Fr. Jovito Rego de Jesus Araùjo, Aderito Soares
International contact: +1-510-643-4507  Email: lh@etan.org  Homepage: http://www.etan.org/lh

Amnesty International  Updated Feb 24
AI is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. AI campaigns to free all prisoners of conscience; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and "disappearances"; and oppose human rights abuses by opposition groups. AI has around a million members and supporters in 162 countries. Activities include public demonstrations, letter-writing, human rights education, concerts, individual appeals and global campaigns on a particular issue.
Email: hello@amnesty.org.au  Homepage: http://www.amnesty.org.au/  ETimor Web-page:  http://www.web.amnesty.org/web/ar2000web.nsf/countries/a8b2dcbe3c6cac35802568f200552930?OpenDocument

East Timor National NGO Forum  Updated Feb 22
VISION: To contribute to the building of a pluralist, democratic, just and sustainable East Timor through the development of a strong, independent and responsible civil society committed to upholding and making real in the daily life of the community, both village and urban, the full range of human rights so that all East Timorese, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, can enjoy the fruits of liberation and development in an East Timor forever free.
MISSION: To realise its vision by promoting a culture of learning, cooperation, partnership with the community and respect for human rights and good practice amongst East Timorese NGOs and between them and other development actors, both domestic and international, and by serving as a collective, independent voice for the rights and needs of the community.
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES: a rights approach to development; inclusiveness, participation; accountability; gender balance; respect for the environment; non-party political; non-sectarian; good governance; volunteerism.
E-mail: etngocentre@hotmail.com  Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/etngoforum/index.html

TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign  Up-dated Feb 20
Defending victims of oppression in Indonesia and East Timor, 1973-2001
TAPOL - which means political prisoner in Indonesian - is a leading English language authority campaigning on the human rights situation in Indonesia and East Timor. Estab in 1973, TAPOL has depended on networking with organisations in Indonesia, with NGOs in the UK and with solidarity groups around the world. TAPOL produces the bi-monthly TAPOL Bulletin; occasional reports and briefing papers and other publications.
Email: tapol@gn.apc.org  Homepage: http://www.gn.apc.org/tapol  ET Webpage: http://www.gn.apc.org/tapol/easttimorlatest.htm

Community Aid Abroad - Oxfam Australia  Updated Feb 17
CAA is an independent, Australian, secular and voluntary community-based organisation that brings together people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures in order to build a fairer world. Community Aid Abroad merged with the Australian Freedom From Hunger Campaign in 1992, and the combined organisation is the Australian member of Oxfam International.
CAA's work in East Timor includes rehabilitation of urban water supply systems; health promotion; capacity building with Timorese groups involved in environmental health activities, as well as other local community groups undertaking activities ranging from women's collectives, to human rights, and carpentry and other start-up ventures.
Homepage:  http://www.caa.org.au/  ETimor Webpage:  http://www.caa.org.au/world/asia/east_timor/index.html

The Indonesia Human Rights Network  Updated Feb 15

National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT)  Updated Feb 15
The CNRT was established as the peak body of the East Timorese people's resistance to the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. Its members are drawn from all walks of life and political viewpoints, including the major political parties. Now that Indonesia has left and the administration of East Timor is being taken over by the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), CNRT is restructuring itself to play a new role. This involves moving from opposition to proposition and the facilitation of transition to self-government and independence. See: Nov 1999 The CNRT in Transition & Aug 2000 CNRT National Congress: Draft resolution on human rights
Email Ines Almeida: ines@cnrt-cn.minihub.org  Homepage: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~cnrt

International Federation for East Timor  Updated Feb 13
The International Federation for East Timor was founded in 1991 by East Timor solidarity groups from four continents as a clearinghouse for non-governmental organization (NGO) initiatives on East Timor and to support those initiatives, particularly in United Nations fora. IFET is accredited with the U.N. Department of Public Information and has a U.N. Representative in New York. Our secretariat is in the Philippines. IFET participates in U.N. hearings and conferences, supplies analyses and statements to the media, and lobbies the U.N.-Portugal-Indonesia East Timor talks to ensure that the human and political rights of the East Timorese people
are respected.
Email Charlie Scheiner: ifet@etan.org  Homepage: http://etan.org/ifet

World Council of Churches    ?kumenischer Rat der Kirchen -- Willkommen!    Conseil oecuménique des Eglises -- Bienvenue!    Consejo Mundial de Iglesias -- Bienvenidos!  Updated Feb 10
The WCC is a fellowship of 342 member churches in more than 120 countries on all continents, representing about 400 million Christians from virtually all Christian traditions. Founded in 1948, the WCC is built upon the foundation of encounter, dialogue and collaboration. It was formed to serve and advance the ecumenical movement - the quest for restoring the unity of the church - by encouraging in its members a common commitment to follow the gospel. The prayer of the churches which belong to the WCC is for the renewal and faithful response of the people of God in witness and service to the world. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. WCC staff is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Homepage:  http://wcc-coe.org/  WCC Website is in five languages: English, Dutch/Deutsch, French/Francais, Russian and Spanish/Espanol

REDE: Feto Timor Lorosae Timorese Women's Network  Added Feb 8

Catholic Institute for International Relations  Updated Feb 8
"Tackling the causes of poverty and injustice internationally through advocacy and skillsharing."
CIIR works with people of all faiths and none.
Email Catherine Scott: Cathy@ciir.org  Homepage: http://www.ciir.org  ETimor Webpage:  http://www.ciir.org/ipd/eti.html

Foreign Policy In Focus
The goal of the FPIF project is to forge a new global affairs agenda for the U.S. Government and the U.S. people--one that makes the U.S. a more responsible global leader and global partner. The FPIF project - through its inclusive structure, multimedia character, comprehensive scope, and commitment to rethinking the operative principles of U.S. foreign policy--is playing a vital role in establishing a new vision and a cohesive policy framework for a more responsible U.S. role in the global community. The project's network of advocates, activists, and scholars serves as a think tank without walls, functioning as a dynamic base from which to reach out to the constituencies that are essential to ensuring that U.S. foreign policy represents a more broadly conceived understanding of U.S. national interests.
Homepage: http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/index.html

Portuguese:
Observatório Timor Leste  Updated Jan 25
Duas Organizações Não Governamentais portuguesas, a COMISSÃO PARA OS DIREITOS DO POVO MAUBERE (CDPM) e o grupo ecuménico A PAZ É POSSÍVEL EM TIMOR LESTE que, desde o início da década de oitenta, se solidarizam com a causa do Povo de Timor Leste, tomaram a decisão de criar o OBSERVATÓRIO TIMOR LESTE. A vocação do Observatório Timor Leste é, no quadro das recentes alterações do regime de Jacarta face a Timor Leste, o acompanhamento, a nível internacional, do processo negocial e, no interior do território, do inevitável período de transição que se anuncia.
E-mail: cdpm@esoterica.pt  Homepage: http://homepage.esoterica.pt/~cdpm/framep.htm

English:
East Timor Observatory  Updated Jan 25
ETO was set up by two Portuguese NGOs - the Commission for the Rights of the Maubere People (CDPM) and the ecumenical group Peace is Possible in East Timor,  which have been involved in East Timor solidarity work since the early eighties. The aim of the Observatory was to monitor East Timor's transition process, as well as the negotiating process and its repercussions at international level, and the developments in the situation inside the territory itself.
E-mail: cdpm@esoterica.pt  Homepage: http://homepage.esoterica.pt/~cdpm/frameI.htm

French:
Observatoire Timor-Oriental  Updated Jan 25
Deux Organisations Non Gouvernementales portugaises, la ‘Commission pour les Droits du Peuple Maubere’ et l’association oecuménique "La Paix est Possible au Timor Oriental", qui se solidarisent avec la cause du peuple du Timor Oriental depuis le début des années 80, ont pris la décision de créer un OBSERVATOIRE TIMOR ORIENTAL. La vocation de cet observatoire est d’accompagner le processus de transition du Timor Oriental, aussi bien le processus de négociation que ses répercussions au niveau international et l’évolution de la situation à l’intérieur du territoire.
E-mail: cdpm@esoterica.pt Homepage: http://homepage.esoterica.pt/~cdpm/framef.htm

Australian Council for Overseas Aid Up-dated Jan 5
ACFOA is the peak body of the Australian Aid and Development Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). It provides membership services, eg. training, and it develops policy and advocacy related to development issues. Members adhere to a Code of Conduct [68k]. ACFOA has various working groups who are part of its policy/advocacy activities. The East Timor Working Group meets now every two months to share information on East Timor, build up strategies to campaign and lobby governments in matters such as the refugees in West Timor, to liaise with AusAID, the ET NGO Forum [101k](a similar organisation to ACFOA in East Timor), etc.

OPMT: The Popular Organisation of East Timorese Women / Organizacao Popular de Mulher Timor  Added Jan 4
OPMT is a East Timorese women's organisation that has been dealing with the impact of Indonesian rule that has dominated their lives for the past 25 years culminating in the violence around the UN sponsored Popular Consultations in 1999. It is these women who have been dealing with those who have been severely psychologically and/or physically traumatised. They have been helping address the needs of women who are the main carers of children (many of whom are orphans), the injured, sick and the elderly. They have a vision for how the new country can support the people's needs. OPMT is a registered East Timorese non-government organization (ETNGO)  See: OPMT Sewing Program in Timor Loro Sa'e

The Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific  Up-dated Jan 3
AFAP is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Sydney, Australia with development programs in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is an member of the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI) network, the oldest, largest, and most experienced secular NGO network in the Pacific. AFAP promotes sustainable, self-reliant community development projects in the areas of institution building, health, education, literacy, agriculture, environmental protection, hospital rehabilitation, village improvement, disaster relief and rehabilitation and small industry development which emerge from the aspirations of the local people. Email: afsp@mpx.com.au  As an ACFOA member, AFAP adheres to a Code of Conduct.

Community Aid Abroad Trading  Added Dec 23
CAAT is part of an international fair trade movement, with an alternative approach to international trade which aims at sustainable development for marginalised producers around the world. Working with our parent, Community Aid Abroad - Oxfam Australia, and other Alternative Trading Organisations worldwide, we seek to do this by providing better trading conditions, by awareness raising and by campaigning. Our bottom line is people, not profits. By purchasing from our Online Shop and Shops around Australia, you are not only getting unique gifts from Africa, Asia and South America, you are helping disadvantaged people around the world build a better future for their families and communities. That's what we mean by 'Gifts That Give Twice'.

Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions Added Dec 6
COHRE (estab. 1994) is an international, non-governmental human rights organization committed to ensuring the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights) for everyone, everywhere, with a particular focus on the human right to adequate housing and preventing forced evictions. COHRE is registered as a not-for-profit foundation in the Netherlands

Mary MacKillop Institute of East Timorese Studies
MMIETS is a Sydney based charitable institute established in 1994 in response to an appeal for help by Bishop Belo and in consultation with the East Timorese community. It was created to assist in meeting the cultural, educational, health and material needs of the people of East Timor. MMIETS is safeguarding East Timorese culture by promoting the use of the language Tetum within the Church and general education and is developing a Tetum literacy program to this end.

The Kangaroo Valley - Remexio Partnership

Go to the people
Live with them
Learn from them

Begin with what they know
Build with what they have
Be committed

But of the true leader
When the work is done
The task is accomplished
People will say
"we did it ourselves"

Lao Tse B.C.

The Kangaroo Valley - Remexio Partnership - Is a special 'sister district' partnership set up by the people of Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia to assist the people of Remexio, East Timor in their rebuilding program.

Caritas Australia
Caritas Australia (estab. 1964 as Australian Catholic Relief) is the official development and relief agency for the Catholic Church in Australia under the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference in response to requests being received from the countries of the Pacific, Asia and Africa for financial assistance to help the poor in their countries. The organisation is part of the Caritas Internationalis network of 146 autonomous Catholic aid and development agencies active in 194 countries around the world. Caritas works with the poor and marginalised through supporting the community development programs of our Caritas partner agencies.

APHEDA: Union Aid Abroad
APHEDA is an official arm of the ACTU. APHEDA's work focuses on: technical and vocational training in developing countries in particular with refugees and marginalised peoples; development education within the union movement and wider community.
APHEDA Operates In: East Timor, South Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, Cambodia Vietnam, Philippines, Burma, Pacific
(Kanaky & Bougainville Refugees)