New
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Homepage: http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
E-mail: info@easttimor-reconciliation.org
A
collection of recent reports, articles and news on the ongoing
reconciliation
process and the Truth, Reception and Reconciliation Commission.
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Up-Dated: Feb 14, 2002
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Contents:
Contact
info Updated Feb 6, 2002
Overviews
Updated Feb 9, 2002
Reports,
Articles and News Updated Feb 14, 2002
Commission for
Reception,
Truth & Reconciliation in East Timor
P. O. Box 144
Dili, East Timor
Tel: +61 (0) 407 394 957
E-mail: info@easttimor-reconciliation.org
Joann Kingsley,
Information
Services
Commission for Reception,
Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor
Tel: +670 (390) 312210
ext.4513
Mobile: +61 (0) 407 394
957
CRTR in East Timor: http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
Tetum:
Website
Foun
Fev 5 Komisaun ba Simu,
Lia Los no Dame Malu nian iha Timor Lorosa'e
Link tau tan 6 Fevreiru 2002; Website
iha lian sira: lia-inglés, lia-tetun, lia-portugés ho
bahasa.
Uma-fatin (pájina
primáriu): http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
"Komisaun ida ne’e hanesan
mekanismo
ida nasional independente hodi ajuda proseso reconsiliasao entre
populasao
Timor Lorosa’e ho buka lia los kona ba violasao
direitos
humanos iha Timor Lorosa’e iha tinan 1974 – 1999. Uluk liu, CNRT
maka hato hanoin atu hari Komisaun ida ne’e. Tuir mai equipa ida
composto de representantes hosi CNRT, ONG Nasional nen, UNHCR no
devisao
dereitos humanos UNTAET halao nia knaar oin sa hari komisaun ne’e.
Equipa
ne’e halao tiha ona proseso konsulta ba destrito hotu hodi rona visao
publiko
kona ba idea hari komisaun ne’e. Konselho nasional simu tiha ona
regra
ida hodi hari komisaun ne’e. Agora regra ne’e sai hanesan lei iha Timor
Lorosa’e."
Portuguese:
Novo Site
Fev 5 Comissão
de Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliação de Timor Leste
Link de 6 fevereiro 2002; Inglêsa,
tetum, português e língua de indonésia.
Página de casa: http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
"A Comissão é um
mecanismo nacional independente que assistirá a
reconciliação
entre timorenses e procurará encontrar a verdade relativa
à
violação
de direitos humanos cometidos entre 1974 e 1999. A Comissão
foi inicialmente proposta pelo CNRT.
Posteriormente,
estabelecida como uma comissão composta por representantes do
CNRT,
seis timorenses, ONGs, ACNUR e a divisão de Direitos Humanos da
UNTAET. Esta Comissão deslocou-se à todos os distritos
para
auscultar a opinião pública em relação a
ideia
de criação da mesma. Depois do Conselho Nacional
ter
aprovado o regulamento
que
estabelece a Comissão, este mesmo regulamento transformou-se em
Lei em Timor Leste."
Bahasa
Indonesia/Malay:
Situs-Web
Baru
Feb 5 Komisi
Penerimaan,
Kebenaran dan Rekonsiliasi di Timor Lorosa'e?
Halaman Uatama: http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
Link ditambahkan tanggal 6 Febuari 2002;
Bahasa Inggeris, Bahasa Tetum, Bahasa Portugis dan Bahasa
Indonesia/Melayu.
"Komisi ini adalah sebuah mekanisme
nasional independen untuk membantu proses rekonsiliasi antara
masyarakat
Timor Lorosa'e dan untuk mencari kebenaran tentang pelanggaran hak
asasi
manusia yang terjadi di Timor Lorosa'e antara 1974-1999. Usulan untuk
pembentukkan
Komisi ini dimulai dari CNRT dan dikembangkan
lebih
lanjut oleh sebuah panitia persiapan yang melibatkan CNRT, enam LSM
nasional,
UNHCR dan Divisi HAM UNTAET. Panitia ini telah melakukan sebuah proses
konsultasi ke semua distrik untuk mendengar pandangan publik tentang
ide
pembentukkan Komisi ini. Dewan Nasional telah menyetujui sebuah peraturan
untuk membentuk Komisi ini. Kini peraturan tersebut telah menjadi hukum
di Timor Lorosa’e."
New Site
Feb 5: The Commission
for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation?
Link added Feb 6; Website in these
languages:
English, Tetum, Portuguese and Bahasa Indonesia.
Homepage: http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
"The Commission is an independent,
national mechanism which will assist reconciliation between East
Timorese
and establish the truth about human rights
violations
committed between 1974 and 1999. The Commission was initially proposed
by CNRT. It was then developed by a committee
comprising
representatives of CNRT, six East Timorese NGOs, UNHCR, and the UNTAET
Human Rights Unit. This committee traveled to all the districts to
listen
to public opinion on the idea of establishing this Commission. Since
then,
the National Council has approved the regulation
which establishes the Commission. This has now become the law in East
Timor."
Jan
22 Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation sworn in
Biographies updated Jan 24
"On 21 February [January?] 2002, the
National
Commissioners of the East Timor Commission for Reception, Truth,
and
Reconciliation were sworn in to office, with speeches by Jose Ramos
Horta, Sergio Vieira de Mello and Xanana Gusmão, and messages
from
Mary Robinson and Rev. Desmond Tutu. The following are the names and
brief
biographies of the Commissioners, from the program for the swearing-in
ceremony."
Portuguese:
Dec
3 OTL: A Reconciliação
Reportagem de Dec 18
"Timor Leste chega à
independência
e são muitos os novos desafios. Após 24 anos de
violência
há muitas feridas a curar. A guerra contra a Indonésia
envolveu
Timorenses dos dois lados. Para que possam voltar a viver e enfrentar
juntos
o
futuro, a reconciliação entre Timorenses é
prioritária;
mas poderá haver reconciliação sem justiça?
Foi criada uma Comissão de Acolhimento, Verdade e
Reconciliação.
Qual a atitude dos dois lados perante a ideia de
reconciliação?
Como é que cada lado vê as condições
necessárias
para a reconciliação: verdade, desculpas e
reparações,
perdão? A reconciliação não é uma
solução
de facilidade." Observatório
Timor
Leste
Dec
3 ETO: Reconciliation Overview added Dec 15
"As independence draws near, a variety
of new and continuing challenges face East Timor. 24 years of violence
have left many wounds yet to heal. Timorese fought on both sides in the
war with Indonesia. Reconciliation is now of paramount importance if
Timorese
are to live in peace again and enjoy a stable future together. But can
there be reconciliation without justice? A Commission for
Reception,
Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been set up. What do the
two
sides think about reconciliation? What do they consider to be the
requirements
for reconciliation: truth-seeking, public apology and redress, pardon?
Reconciliation is not an easy option." East
Timor Observatory
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
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
Tetum:
Boletim La’o Hamutuk:
[PDF formatu]
Vol. 1, No. 1, 21
Juñu
2000
Rekonciliasaun:
http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/bulletin01tetum.pdf
Feb
8 CCET: Freedom without justice in East Timor?
Statement
added Feb 14
"An international support network of
Christian
groups and churches at the Twelfth Christian Consultation on East
Timor,
held in Antwerp from 7-9 December, joined its voice to a mounting
international
campaign and called for Indonesia to set a deadline of July 2002, after
which an international tribunal should be
set
up to deliver justice. ... [CCET] made the following
recommendations
to UN bodies: ... 4) We welcome the establishment of the Reception,
Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and trust that its work will
complement
and reinforce the work of the judiciary and the serious crimes unit,
rather
than place additional burdens upon it." Catherine Scott for Christian
Consultation on East Timor (CCET)
Feb
4 Truth Commission goes online Release added Feb 9
"The first meeting of the National
Commissioners
of the Commission for Reception, Truth
and
Reconciliation took place today. The meeting follows the
swearing-in
of the Commissioners on 21 January, and was chaired by the Deputy
Transitional
Administrator, Dennis McNamara. At the meeting, Aniceto Guterres Lopes
was elected to serve as Chair of the Commission and Father Jovito
Araujo
was elected as Vice-Chair. ... Following the meeting, the new
Commission
Chair Aniceto Guterres launched the Commission’s web site http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org,
which contains comprehensive information on the background and
functions
of the Commission. It includes up-to-date news reports, profiles of the
National Commissioners, and articles relating to the views of prominent
East Timorese on reconciliation and justice issues."
Jan
31 JSMP: Constituent Assembly adopts Serious Crimes articles
Comment added Feb 1
"The Constituent
Assembly yesterday adopted three new articles to the East Timorese
constitution who all relates to the process of bringing perpetrators of
previous serious crimes in East Timor to justice. The articles,
however,
surprisingly limits the process quite significantly compared to the
system
already established by UNTAET. ... JSMP fear that the limitations of
the
adopted articles derives mainly from confusion over legal terminology
and
lack of knowledge of the system currently in place for trying Serious
Crimes
in East Timor. The end result may be that some of the most severe
crimes
will not be tried, or tried in a court system already overburdened with
cases and where the lack of resources may seriously endanger the
defendant’s
right to a fair trial. In another surprising decision, the assembly
adopted
a regulation establishing the right of the East Timorese Parliament to
revise the mandate of the Reception, Truth and Reconciliation
Commission.
The suggestion was raised by Chief Minister Mari Alkatiri, and will
limit
the independence of the commission drastically." Judicial
System Monitoring Programme (JSMP)
Portuguese:
Jan
25 OTL: A Indonésia arrasta o julgamento dos crimes cometidos em
Timor Leste
Reportagem de 14 fevereiro 2002
"Quanto tempo a comunidade internacional
vai conceder ao tribunal para apresentar resultados? Já passaram
mais de dois anos sobre os factos. A total ausência de balizas
favorece
a estratégia de arrastamento. ... O julgamento não
é
vingança: “é indispensável para abrir caminho a
uma
verdadeira reconciliação em Timor Leste” afirmou
a
comissão de inquérito das NU, mas também para
“encorajar
as reformas democráticas na Indonésia e ajudar a evitar
que
os oficiais das FA responsáveis pela destruição
de Timor Leste, a maior parte dos quais continuam a ter
prestígio
e poder, continuem a cometer atrocidades contra os cidadãos
indonésios”
(carta de 30 congressistas americanos a Colin Powell, 30-1-01)." Observatório
Timor Leste
Jan
25 ETO: Indonesia delays East Timor atrocities trials
Report added Feb 14
"How much time is the international
community
going to give the [Indonesia’s ad hoc] tribunal to come up with
results?
Over two years have already elapsed since the atrocities occurred. A
total
absence of time limits serves to encourage further delay tactics. ...
The
trial is not an exercise in vengeance, but rather essential: “to open
the
way forward to genuine reconciliation in East Timor” (UN
Commission
of Inquiry), and “to encourage democratic reforms in Indonesia and help
prevent the armed forces officers responsible for the devastation
in East Timor, most of whom are still in positions of prestige and
authority, from continuing to commit atrocities against other
Indonesian
citizens” (letter from 30 members of the US Congress to Colin Powell,
30-1-01)."
East
Timor Observatory
Jan
25 JP: End game in East Timor Editorial added Jan 26
"The heaviest cost that the East Timor
debacle is exacting on Indonesia, though, is on its international
reputation
and image. This incident hurt the entire nation, and not just the
military.
... It is no wonder that more and more people around the world see
Indonesia
as a pariah state. If this image continues, more and more investors and
tourists will shun Indonesia. ... Clearly, it is in the best interest
of
this nation to accelerate the entire legal process. These delays should
come to an end, for our own good. We need to put the East Timor
nightmare
behind us, once and for all, and quickly, and restore our reputation
and
credibility among the international community. Most of all, we need to
get on with our lives." Jakarta Post Editorial
Jepang:
Bahasa Indonesia/Malay:
Jan
22 Shige: Jepang dan TL: Luka Kekerasan Sulit Dilupakan
Artikel ditambahkan tanggal 22 Januari
2002
"Seandainya pemerintah Jepang sungguh
mau membangun hubungan bilateral yang baik dengan Timor Lorosae,
langkah
awal adalah pengakuan kesalahan atas perbuatan dan kebijakannya pada
masa
lalu yang kejam, baik pada masa Perang Dunia II maupun masa pendudukan
militer Indonesia di mana pemerintah Jepang selalu mendukungnya, dan
meminta
maaf kepada rakyat Timor Lorosae." Takahashi Shigehito, Perwakilan East
Timor Desk, Konferensi Uskup Katolik Jepang
Jan
21 ABC: East Timor: Truth Commissioner says process will liberate people
Interview added Jan 22
"This is a most deep division between
the pro-autonomy and pro-independence
groups.
And you see, among the pro-independence and pro-autonomy people, there
are also groups that cannot accept one another. And all the groups are
still fighting for their own interests. That’s why I think the
Commission
is a very, very, very good opportunity. It’s a place for East Timorese
people meet and to accept that they did (things), they are the
perpetrators,
they are the victims. It is the process of liberation.” Fr. Jovito
Araujo,
Catholic priest & National Commissioner of Commission for
Reception,
Truth, and Reconciliation
Japan:
Jan
10 Shige: Japan & ET: Wounds of Violence are Hard to Forget
Article added Jan 22
"If the Government of Japan really wanted
to build a good bilateral relationship with Timor Lorosae, the first
step
it should take is to acknowledge the mistakes of its brutal
policies
and actions toward the people in the past, both during WWII, and during
the Indonesian military occupation - which Japan’s government
consistently
supported it - and ask the pardon of the people of Timor
Lorosae."
Takahashi Shigehito, Resident Representative of East Timor Desk,
Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of Japan
Bahasa
Indonesia/Malay:
Des
14 JSMP: Keadilan Dalam Praktek: HAK asasi manusia dalam administrasi
pengadilan
Laporan ditambahkan tanggal Desember 17
"Laporan ini mengkaji efektivitas
administrasi
Panel Khusus untuk Kejahatan Serius dari Pengadilan
Distrik Dili yang dibentuk oleh Pemerintah Transisi PBB di Timor
Lorosa’e
(UNTAET). Panel Khusus ini diberi mandat untuk menangani
Kejahatan-kejahatan
Serius yang dilakukan selama pendudukan Indonesia, termasuk kampanye
tindak
kekerasan di tahun 1999. Kemampuan Panel ini untuk menegakkan keadilan
secara adil dan independen sangat penting bagi proses rekonsiliasi
yang tengah digalakkan." Program Pemantauan
Sistim
Peradilan (JSMP)
Portuguese:
Dec
14 JSMP: Justiça na práctica: direitos humonos na
administração
do tribunal
Reportagem de Dec 17
"Este relatório examina a
efectividade
da administração do Painel Especial para Crimes
Sérios
do Tribunal do Distrito de Díli que tem sido criado pela
Administração
Transitória das Nações Unidas em Timor Leste
(UNTAET).
Essses Paineis especiais são mandatados para tratar dos crimes
sérios
cometidos durante a ocupação Indonésia, incluido a
campanha de violência em 1999. As suas abilidades de ministrar
justiça
num clima justo e independente é vital para sustentar o
decorrente
processo
de reconciliação." Programa
de Monitorização do Sistema Judicial (PMSJ)
Major Report
Dec
14 JSMP: Justice in Practice - Human Rights in Court Administration
Executive summary added Dec 17
"This report examines the effectiveness
of the administration of the Special Panels for Serious Crimes of the
Dili
District Court that have been created by the United Nations
Transitional
Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). These Special Panels are
mandated
to deal with Serious Crimes committed during the Indonesian occupation,
including the campaign of violence in 1999. Their ability to dispense
justice
in a fair and independent manner is vital for the ongoing reconciliation
process." Judicial System Monitoring
Programme
(JSMP)
Japan:
Dec
8 ETNGOs: Commemoration Day of the Commencement of the Pacific War
Letter added Jan 24
"History is very important in order to
build a better future. For that reason, mistakes of the past have to be
straighten out before steps can be made forward. If not, human history
has already proven similar mistakes will be repeated. We are aware that
Japan is the largest donor nation for the
East
Timor Trust Fund and has given major attention to the reconstruction
of East Timor. And we too would like to express our gratitude for
this
assistance. However, this assistance may not simply cover up the wounds
that have been inflicted by the Japanese military on this land of East
Timor. If there is no justice, there can be no betterment of life. One
needs to remember that the government of Japan is not only responsible
for the Second World War, but also for its support
of the invasion by the Indonesian military in East Timor over the
time
period of 24 years. ... We demand an official apology and compensation
from the government of Japan to the people of East Timor so that our
people
may feel consoled." Representatives of 20
East
Timorese Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)
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
Oct
30 IOM: East Timor - Returns on the Increase News
added
Oct 31
"In October, IOM has assisted 3,233 East
Timorese refugees to return home, the highest number of returns in
a single month since March 2000 when 9,485 East Timorese were assisted
to return home. This significant increase can be attributed to the
ongoing
reconciliation process that has boosted the confidence of refugees
as to the situation in East Timor, especially since the successful
30 August elections." Jean Philippe Chauzy, International
Organisation
for Migration (IOM) Spokesperson
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
Sep
6 CONG: Anniversary of Suai massacre & Atambua murders
Statements added Sep 7
"An international
tribunal on war crimes with a full mandate to investigate crimes
both
before and after the independence referendum is the only true path to
justice
and reconciliation in East Timor. I am proud to be the House
sponsor
of Senator Harkin’s resolution calling for an international tribunal on
war crimes in East Timor. House Concurrent Resolution 60 has 58
cosponsors
and has been referred to the Committee on International Relations."
Rep.
Lane Evans
Sep
4 WI: On the road to democracy, where the streets have no name
Interview added Sep 13
"What we want is an independent tribunal
that can ensure justice. ... And although as Xanana
says there will be an amnesty, that will be the next step. The step
after
the enforcement of justice. It is impossible, even ridiculous, to give
amnesty when we haven’t determined their guilt. That would be wrong.
Amnesty
will be the prerogative of the future president of Timor. But before
that,
it has to be determined first whether these person are guilty or not.
If
found guilty, then they should go to jail for several years. And then
the
president can decide on amnesty." Partido
Democratico (PD) leader, Fernando de Araujo
Aug
30 Time Asia: Gusmao: What Happens Next? Interview
added
Aug 30
"TIME: What is your position on
amnesty for the violence of 1999? Gusmao:
Amnesty can be considered, but only after justice,
after trials. Not before. TIME: Would that mean not putting
people
in jail? Gusmao: It is not my decision to say. As a principle,
I
only can conceive amnesty after justice. But who can decide? It will be
the assembly, the government. Not me."
Aug
28 SMH: To forge a future, Timor needs justice for the past
Article from ETimor added Aug 30
"Prosecuting the crimes of 1999 is
essential
for East Timor, but also for Indonesia. Democracy there is fragile and
the military continues to intrude on both government and civil society.
Much remains to be done. We call on the international community for
the following: ... * Support the recently established Commission
for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor to enable
people
to overcome the legacy of the past and move forward on the path to
independence.
... The path to independence follows the road of justice
and reconciliation." Bishop Carlos Belo
Aug
13 SMH/J.Dunn: Crimes Against Humanity Demand a Proper Airing
Opinion added Aug 13
"An international
tribunal would offer the best path to justice plus the prospect of
an enduring reconciliation between Indonesia and the new East
Timorese
state, which is a virtual precondition of the disengagement of UN
peacekeepers.
... East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao has been a strong advocate of
reconciliation
but his efforts so far have been one-sided, in the sense that the
dialogue
involves only the Timorese themselves. To exclude the TNI commanders
who
set up the militia and commanded the deportation and the destruction is
to ignore the root causes of the upheaval." James
Dunn, investigator of crimes against humanity in East Timor
Aug
9 SMH: Widows who share a legacy of murder Article
added
Aug 10
“We want the militia brought to justice,
... We want the militia tried and punished. Reconciliation
means
justice and a trial. ... A 10-year old boy was killed right in front of
me. His name was Francisco Barreto, ... My husband was dragged into
another
room. He was stabbed and managed to walk as far as the Junior High
School
and collapsed there and died from his wounds,” Filomena Fereira da
Silva,
widow of pro-independence leader murdered during the Maliana police
station
massacre
Jul
27 AI: EAST TIMOR Justice past, present and future
Report
added Aug 13
"The Serious Crimes Unit - which is
responsible
for investigating and prosecuting these crimes - has suffered from a
combination
of inadequate resources, a shortage of experienced staff, poor
management
and a lack of political support. The slow pace and questionable quality
of its work has resulted in a loss of confidence among the East
Timorese
in UNTAET’s ability or will to bring perpetrators to justice with
inevitable
negative consequences for the process of reconciliation in East
Timor." Amnesty International
Jul
26 AI: East Timor: Justice at risk Release added Aug 1
“Efforts towards reconciliation
in East Timor are also being badly undermined by the slow progress and
questionable quality of investigations into crimes against humanity and
other serious crimes committed by Indonesian security forces and
pro-Indonesian
militia during 1999. UNTAET’s investigations have suffered from a
combination
of inadequate resources, a shortage of experienced staff, poor
management
and a lack of political support.“ Amnesty
International
Jul
9 STL: Bishop Belo: Timorese people must be agents of peace
News from ETimor added July 11
“For the past 24 years, there have been
tears and suffering and, now, we no longer want it, ... We have
experienced
a long war experiencing extreme suffering. Now when it is over, we have
to promise ourselves never to fight again or use violence,” Dili Bishop
Carlos Ximenes Belo
Portuguese:
Jun
18 OTL: Transição e processo eleitoral
Report
added June 23
"A UNTAET fez da reconciliação
um dos temas principais da campanha eleitoral, mas, enquanto todos
reconhecem
que não haverá reconciliação duradoura sem
justiça, ou no mínimo sem o reconhecimento dos crimes e
um
pedido de perdão, as Nações Unidas não
consagraram
aos inquéritos judiciais os meios necessários e recuam
perante
a convocação de um tribunal internacional. Querem a
reconciliação
ou o esquecimento? Querem estabelecer uma democracia duradoura ou
adormecer
os Timorenses até que as Nações Unidas possam
anunciar
o sucesso da sua missão?"
Observatório
Timor Leste
Jun
18 ETO: Transition and the electoral process Report
added
June 23
"UNTAET made reconciliation one
of the electoral campaign’s key issues but, while everyone realises
there
can be no lasting reconciliation without justice, or at least without
admission
of the crimes and a plea for forgiveness, the UN has not provided the
judicial
enquiries with the resources they need, and backs away from calls for
an
international tribunal. Does it want reconciliation, or for what has
happened
to be forgotten? Does it want to establish a lasting democracy, or to
numb
the Timorese until the UN can pronounce that its mission has been
successful?"
East
Timor Observatory
June
22 SMH: And justice for all: Dili backs international war crimes
tribunal
Good News added June 23
"East Timor’s de facto government, the
National Council, has backed the formation of an international
war crimes tribunal to prosecute leaders of anti-independence
militias
and their Indonesian army supporters. The council voted overwhelmingly
in support of the tribunal and also endorsed legislation to establish a
South African-style Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The
moves
were initiated by council member, Mr Aniceto Guterres, East Timor’s
best
known lawyer, who also heads the country’s Yayasan-HAK
human rights foundation" Mark Dodd, Herald Correspondent in Dili
Jun 18 CAA-OA: A
step at a time in East Timor
Interview added June 21
"There’s a lot of concern about the
effectiveness
of the Indonesian government taking control of ensuring justice.
Justice
is so important to have reconciliation. To a certain extent,
they
go hand in hand. As long as people feel that the perpetrators of crimes
are getting away with it, reconciliation is very, very difficult
because
they don’t feel that anyone has paid for what happened to them." Keryn
Clark, Country Programme Manager, Oxfam
Australia
(Community Aid Abroad)
Jun
15 ET NGO Forum: Political Transition Comment added
June
18
"During the past 25 years there was a
loss of trust due to the oppression of colonisation, we need to
regain
the peoples’ trust. We need more resources in the justice system, to
build
a strong and effective system. There will be resources for the Truth
Reception and Reconciliation Commission, but we must also address
with
some seriousness the crimes against humanity and war crimes, as Jose
Ramos
Horta said. The Truth, Reception and Reconciliation Commission is not a
substitute for Justice for serious crimes." Forum
Nacional ONG Timor Lorosa'e / The East Timor National NGO Forum
Jun
15 ET NGO Forum: Donors’ Meeting Discusses Key Issues
Final release added June 18
"The NGO community is still concerned
about the lack of clarity about future justice
for East Timor, and urges continued international attention on how
this will be achieved. It is essential for Reconciliation. We
would
like to see an International Tribunal as
one
of the options to be explored.”
Aderito
Soares, ET NGO spokesman on Legal and
Constitutional issues
Jun
13 ETNGO Forum: The voice of Civil Society calls the Donors
Statement added June 14
"There can be no reconciliation
without justice. Therefore, the creation in East Timor of a functioning
court administration needs to be a priority for the international donor
community. NGOs recommend that funding for adequate and appropriate
capacity
building within this sector be prioritised as a matter of urgency."
Forum
Nacional ONG Timor Lorosa'e / The East Timor National NGO Forum
Jun
6 Soares: Lighting The Fires For Peace In East Timor
Article
added July 11
"We all must be Peacemakers, red or black,
yellow or white, firaku or kaladi, lorosa’e or loro’monu. We - all
people
- are seeds of hope for gentler times. Our age doesn't matter. It
doesn't
matter what our life is like or who our family is or where we live. We
are all important. Every thought we think, every word we speak,
everything
we do, circles out to all beings through all places in all times."
Roberto
Cabral Soares
May 9 GLW: UN
lets Indonesian military off the hook
Article added May 9
"In the name of reconciliation, the UNTAET
chief of staff spends much of his time courting militia leaders such as
the de Carvalho brothers whose militias razed Ainaro town to the
ground.
Meanwhile, the daily conditions of the East Timorese in East Timor
itself
lie neglected by the UN. UNTAET is attempting to push through the
National Council a draft regulation for the creation of a “Truth,
Reception
and Reconciliation Commission”. The commission would write a report
charting
human rights abuses between 1974 and 1999, based on testimonies. Its
other
role would be to provide an opportunity to those who did not commit
serious
crimes to confess and be given some form of community work. It is
unlikely
that the role of the Indonesian military will be examined and its
members
made accountable through this process." Vanya Tanaja
28
April – 5 May 2001 CSW: Joint Mission to East Timor Report
added June 30
"Recommendations: That the
reconciliation
process be integrated with a system of justice, so that there can be no
abdication of responsibility by the perpetrators of serious crimes,
while
also facilitating forgiveness and reconciliation;" Dr
Martin Panter & Benedict
Rogers,
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
Apr 2001 Estafeta:
Will
East Timor See Justice?
Article added May 9
"Reconciliation without justice: UNTAET
is rapidly moving to implement a “Truth, Reconciliation and Reception
Commission”
(TRRC) that is of limited utility. ... The TRRC will have two principal
tasks. The first is to take testimony from victims of crimes committed
between 1974 and 1999, and to prepare a report on these crimes.
Although
the report will probably not explore the chain of command (the
Commission
is not likely to obtain military documents or testimony from Indonesian
sources), it will document the scale and horror of Indonesia’s
occupation,
including but not limited to the post-ballot destruction. The
more
controversial Reconciliation component is limited to people not accused
of serious crimes (rape, murder, systematic multiple arson) who choose
to live in East Timor." Charles
Scheiner, National Coordinator, East
Timor
Action Network/US
Major Report
Apr
20 SMH: James Dunn 'Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor, Jan-Oct 99'
Executive summary and recommendations added Apr 20
"The wave of violence led to very serious
crimes against humanity. They include: killings, including mass murder,
torture, abduction, sexual assault and assault against children, as
well
as mass deportation, and forced dislocation. The crimes against
humanity
also include the massive destruction of shelter, and of services
essential
to the upholding of the basic rights of the East Timorese to healthcare
and education. In addition there was a massive theft of the property of
the people of East Timor. ...
As the result of these crimes East Timor
was left without an infrastructure, with its towns and villages in
ruins.
Its development was in effect set back more than a generation. ...
Efforts should be stepped up to establish
the guilt of those ultimately responsible, or with shared
responsibility,
for the crimes committed in 1999, and to commence action to have them
brought
to justice. ...
The question of reparations, or some form
of compensation, in relation to the massive destruction of shelter and
buildings functioning for the well-being of the people, as well as the
extensive and organised theft of property, should be placed prominently
on the agenda, in relation to negotiations with the Government of
Indonesia.
...
Action in relation to these matters is
important both to the fulfillment of UNTAET’s mandate in East Timor,
and
to the development of an appropriately harmonious relationship
between
the new nation and Indonesia."
James Dunn, Crimes investigator for United
Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), 14 February
2001
Feb 28 LUSA: Reconciliation Commission to Cover 1974-1999 Period News
Jan
23 AGE: Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation
News
"The commission was originally proposed
by East Timor and is now being developed with the support of the UN,
which
is working alongside East Timorese groups, the Catholic church and the
umbrella independence body, the National
Council of Timorese Resistance." Mark Dodd
Dec
18 2000 Age: Xanana call for South African-style truth and
reconciliation
commission Added Dec 18
"I'm thinking of a process of reconciliation here that can avoid
instability in the future and one that people can accept. I will not
say
no justice, but in a process maybe like South Africa," Jose "Xanana"
Gusmao
Nov
11 2000 & Oct 1990 RN: Xanana Gusmao interviews
"what I feel is that if we improve the
social and economic situation in East Timor, our people will forgive.
This
is my own, my personal point of view" Xanana Gusmao - From guerilla
fighter
to leader of his country.
Aug
30 2000 IHT: A Year Later, East Timor's People Are Still Waiting for
Justice
Article added June 30
""The United Nations should immediately
set up a human rights tribunal for East Timor. ... The United States,
Britain
and Australia have a special responsibility to ensure that this happens
because for more than two decades they backed Indonesia's occupation of
East Timor. Their active support for an international tribunal will
help
them atone for their complicity. It will also help to heal the wounds
of
those who were most victimized and to build an independent East Timor
which
respects the principles of democracy and human rights." Aderito
de Jesus Soares, founder, East Timor Jurists Association
Tetum:
Jun
21 2000 Y-HAK: Lopes: Rekonciliasaun Housi Lei Nia Roman
Article
"Principio katak rekonciliasaun tenke
bazeia iha esforsu atu fo justisa ba sociedade, liu-liu ba mutun na’in
sira (victima). ... Bazeia ba lia-los ne’e mak ita bele hateten katak
procesu
lei nian la’o. Procesu lei nian ne’e bele la’o iha tribunal (tribunal
formal)
no mos bele la’o tuir dalan ne’ebe la-os tribunal, hanesan mekanismo
fukun
(mekanisme adat). Substancia rua ne’e, justisa ho lia-los, bele hala’o
hanesan no dala ida de’it, ho hanoin katak sira na’in rua tulun malu.
Procesu
lei nian bele mos hala’o uluk atu buka lia-los, no dala ruma ita hetan
tiha ona lia-los, tuir mai ita lori problema ne’ebe iha ba tribunal."
Aniceto
Guterres Lopes, Direktor,
Yayasan HAK
Jun
21 2000 Y-HAK: Lopes: Reconciliation from a Legal Perspective
Article
"It is a basic principle that we must
base reconciliation on the effort to realize justice for the entire
society,
especially for the victims. ... Given the spiritual injury
experienced
by society, the healing process must be gradual. This reconciliation is
inevitably tied to the nature of the legal process. Only if there is
justice
can true reconciliation, or social healing, occur." Aniceto Guterres
Lopes,
Director, Yayasan HAK