BD: Calls for International War Crimes Tribunal (part 1: calls) (East Timor)

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BACK DOOR Newsletter on East Timor

Calls for International War Crimes Tribunal
Pengadilan Internasional
Demande la tribunal pénal international:

Part 1: calls

A collection of recent reports, articles and news calling for the establishment of an International War Crimes Tribunal to try war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Part 1 up-dated: Feb 14, 2002

NEW = Added to BACK DOOR Website since last Monday's Emailout

Contents:

Part 1: calls [this page]
* Background
* Petitions & Lobbying
* Calls from East Timorese
* Calls from Indonesians
* Calls from the International community

Part 2: related issues

Part 1: calls

Background

Portuguese:
Jan 25 OTL: A Indonésia arrasta o julgamento dos crimes cometidos em Timor Leste
Reportagem de 14 fevereiro 2002
"Foi para evitar a constituição dum tribunal internacional para julgar os crimes contra a humanidade cometidos em Timor Leste que os dirigentes de Jacarta propuseram julgar os responsáveis num tribunal indonésio (ver OTL, JUS03-2001/09/02). No Conselho de Segurança, as Nações Unidas aceitaram essa proposta que contraria a recomendação da sua própria Comissão de Inquérito mas reservam-se ao direito de reconsiderar essa decisão se a justiça indonésia não respeitar as normas internacionais na matéria e não der satisfação às expectativas da comunidade internacional. ... 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." Observatório Timor Leste

Jan 25 ETO: Indonesia delays East Timor atrocities trials Report added Feb 14
"To avoid the setting up of an international human rights tribunal to try those responsible for crimes against humanity committed in East Timor, Jakarta’s authorities proposed that suspects be tried by an Indonesian court. Given the real threat of China’s veto on the Security Council, and in spite of its own Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations, the UN agreed to Indonesia’s proposal, while reserving the right to reconsider its decision if Indonesian justice did conform to international standards and/or did not fully satisfy international community expectations. ... 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." East Timor Observatory

Bahasa Indonesia/Melayu:
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/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)

A Summary/Chronology of all major events:
October 2001 LHB: Justice and Accountability for East Timor: Sep 99 - Oct 01 Timeline added Nov 15

Petitions & Lobbying

Petition for Lawyers and Legal Scholars to sign:
Jan 31 Attorneys and Legal Scholars Call for International Tribunal for East Timor Release added Feb 1
"The time to prosecute the crimes inflicted upon the East Timorese through the establishment of an International Criminal Tribunal is now. Each step by the international community to prosecute the acts perpetrated against the East Timorese advances the rule of law, and signals that neither state-condoned nor state-perpetrated terror, wherever it occurs, will be tolerated." Nearly 50 Legal Experts from around the world (Signatures at: http://www.etan.org/news/2002a/01law.htm )
“We intend to keep pressing for justice for the people of East Timor, and will continue to collect signatures in support of a tribunal, ... A tribunal is necessary to hold those high ranking officials who organized and implemented the destruction of East Timor accountable. The international community cannot countenance impunity.” Anthony DiCaprio, Center for Constitutional Rights & lead attorney in a civil action against General Johny Lumintang

Canada-based Actions:
Nov 15 KairosCanada: Appeal for Tribunal Action added Nov 15
“There must be no hiding place for political monsters such as unleashed the destruction of East Timor in 1999. These are crimes which are far greater than their immediate victims ... They strike at the future as well as the present. They make the world more dangerous for everyone.” Bishop Belo of Dili, Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, 1996
"Please show your support for the creation of an international tribunal on East Timor and for human rights reform in Indonesia. Below is a brief outline of a letter you can send to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon. John Manley. Please also send a copy of your correspondence to our office. We will forward copies to all of the member countries on the UN Security Council, the UN body which mandates the creation of an international tribunal." Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

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

Jun 13 TAPOL: British aid agencies call for justice in East Timor Release added June 14
“Below is a press release for the UK media. Others may wish to do a similar release for their media.” Paul Barber, TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign

ETAN/U.S.: Current Action Alerts: http://www.etan.org/action/urgntMnu.htm [often includes actions to: Create an International Tribunal for East Timor] Link updated Sep 1

Calls from East Timorese

Jan 29 AP: Horta: East Timor Asked to Admit Wrongdoing News added Jan 31
"He [Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta] urged the United Nations to set up a criminal tribunal to deal with the worst abuses in East Timor, as it sponsored tribunals for the Balkans and Sierra Leone, but said he was not optimistic. “The U.N. Security Council does not seem to have the courage to do what is logical, to set up a war crimes tribunal,” he said." Peter James Spielmann

East Timorese & International (includes Indonesia):
Nov 14 LH: Dili Justice Seminar report excerpts Summaries added Nov 15
"The following material relates to a seminar held in Dili on 16 October 2001 entitled Justice And Accountability In East Timor: International Tribunals And Other Options organized by several East Timorese non-governmental organizations. ... If you would like the 24-page seminar report including all papers, discussions and outcomes of the seminar, write to ifet@etan.org and I will email you an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file. Please indicate if you would like the English or Bahasa Indonesia version. The full report of the seminar will be available soon at http://www.etan.org/lh/reports.html" Charlie Scheiner, La'o Hamutuk

Oct 30 UNSC: ET women: ‘Arria formula’ meeting Speech added Nov 2
"East Timorese women join the rest of society, including Bishop Belo, all political parties and NGOs in appealing for justice for serious crimes including gender-based crimes through an International Tribunal. Last year’s resolution on women, peace and security emphasized “the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes including those relating to sexual and other violence against women and girls.” Because Indonesia is unlikely to successfully prosecute those who ordered and implemented the invasion, occupation and destruction of East Timor from 1975 on, the Security Council must take immediate action to create an International Tribunal for East Timor to ensure that those most responsible for these crimes are brought to justice." Natércia Godinho-Adams, on behalf of East Timorese women’s organizations

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 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)

East Timorese & International (includes Indonesia):
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

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: * To push for an international legal process for the generals and top militia leaders whose crimes are not only against the people of East Timor but against the international community for breaches of international criminal law. This requires the international community to call them to account before an international criminal tribunal. ... " Bishop Carlos Belo

Jul 14 LH: "Youth Front for a War Crimes Tribunal" calls for U.S. govt disclosure News from ETimor added July 14
"On 4 July 2001, approximately 200 activists gathered in front of UNTAET headquarters for a rally demanding that UNTAET support an international tribunal for East Timor. ... Among its demands, the group [Youth Front for a War Crimes Tribunal] called upon the United States government to fully and publicly disclose its role in supporting Indonesia's crimes against the East Timorese people and to actively support the creation of an international tribunal for East Timor." La'o Hamutuk

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 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 15 ET NGO Forum: Political Transition Comment added June 18
"From an NGO point of view we need to proceed with the prosecution of people who have committed human rights crimes. We have seen no progress in Indonesia and also in East Timor. We might need to think about another way. How can we stop impunity? It is relevant and urgent to have a conference to discuss the establishment of an international tribunal, so that there is justice for East Timorese people, and this will assist the democratisation process of Indonesia." Forum Nacional ONG Timor Lorosa'e / The East Timor National NGO Forum

Jun 13 ET NGO: REDE: Donors’ Conference: Women's Issues in East Timor Paper added June 15
"An International Court is the most pressing demand in the interests of justice. Of all the victims of Indonesian military violence the greatest suffering was borne by women, which up to this time has not yet met with the justice that victims hope for." REDE Feto Timor Lorosa’e (Timorese Women’s Network)

Jun 13 ET NGO: Donors’ Conference: Justice & Human Rights Paper added June 15
"The only remaining option for the prosecution of those responsible for human rights violations in East Timor currently residing Indonesia is to establish an International Ad Hoc Criminal Tribunal. The tribunal should be established on recommendations from, and according to terms negotiated by the East Timorese people." Forum Nacional ONG Timor Lorosa'e / The East Timor National NGO Forum

Jun 13 ETNGO Forum: The voice of Civil Society calls the Donors Statement added June 14
"NGOs recommend that international donors financially support an international conference in East Timor to discuss the need for an international tribunal. This conference should be held as soon as can be practically arranged in order to assist the community to reach a common position on an international tribunal. 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 13 JUSTICE FOR EAST TIMOR Petition added June 13
"[this] statement reflects the views of many organisations in Indonesia and East Timor, several of which have signed it. The primary purpose of the statement is to call upon the international community to set up an international tribunal for East Timor to bring the perpetrators of gross violations to justice. We firmly believe that timely justice and the ending of impunity are essential for peace and reconciliation in East Timor and for democracy and stability in Indonesia. We are convinced that credible trials will not be possible in Indonesia and that justice will not prevail unless international mechanisms are established without further delay."
Statement endorsed by 45 Organisations / Networks in Solidarity with East Timor from around the world

May 16 DPA: U.S. reassures East Timor leaders of support News added May 18
“There is no alternative but for the (U.N.) Security Council and the secretary general of the United Nations to push for a war crimes tribunal,” Ramos Horta, Nobel Peace laureate

Apr 25 NGO Forum: Expression of Concern at Xanana’s Statement regarding an International Tribunal Press Release from ETimor updated May 16
"The NGO Forum regards an International Tribunal as an option that needs to be seriously considered given that to date Indonesia has not made any progress in investigating human rights offences committed by the Indonesian military in East Timor." ET NGO Forum: Umbrella agency representing over 120 East Timorese Non-Government Organisations
"If an international court is not a priority for resolving war crimes cases in East Timor, what other court is able to ensure that the war criminals concerned do not just walk free?” Arsenio Bano, Executive Director of the ET NGO Forum

Apr 23 AP: Nobel Laureate Bishop Belo Appeals For East Timor Tribunal News
"Justice must not be restricted to a chosen few. It must be universal, ... We have no faith in the investigations being conducted in Jakarta. Those who authorized the crimes in East Timor will not face justice there, ... It is our belief that only an international court will be able to prosecute the generals and commanders who were behind the September 1999 violence. It is clear that what happened in East Timor was not a spontaneous response by Timorese who wanted to stay with Indonesia." Bishop Carlos Belo of East Timor, the only Catholic bishop ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

Apr 11 STL: International court must be set up in Timor Lorosae as fast as possible News from ETimor
“The serious crimes cases are not being heard in an effective manner, ... We all know that the cases being heard right now just involve the ‘small fry’, while the ‘bigger’ culprits are roaming free in Indonesia, ... I hope that, very soon, we could have an international court sitting in Timor Lorosae, ... The main actors, involved in the 1999 crimes against humanity, can then be tried in Timor Lorosae and the United Nations will have the right to subpoena them to appear in court,” Cancio Xavier, Public Defender’s Office

Apr 9 BWT: Solidarity With East Timor: New Challenges, New Opportunities Analysis added Apr 10
"This international tribunal is not just essential for trying the crimes of the past, but for creating a foundation, a legal system that people will really believe in. Until now the East Timorese people have never believed in the law, never believed that there is such a thing as rule of law in their country. . . There's a fear that if these crimes of the past are not dealt with, a sort of lawlessness might continue in East Timor and the culture of violence [created by the Indonesian occupation] we have been brought up in for the past twenty-four years will perpetuate itself." Ajiza Magno, a young East Timorese woman working with the Sa'he Institute for Liberation

Apr 4 DN: RealAudio of Interview of Xanana and Kirsty Sword Gusmao Interview updated May 16
[Statements in the US and Indonesian press quoting Xanana Gusmao as saying that an international crimes tribunal is not a priority for the East Timorese give the impression that he does not consider a tribunal as important to the East Timorese. However, these and other comments by Xanana reveal that he considers that the establishment of an international crimes tribunal is a role that the international community must play since East Timor doesn't have the resources to do it themselves. - BD]
"DN: The Indonesian government says they'll try the people who they feel committed crimes but they are yet to do this. Do you think an international war crimes tribunal should be set up?
Xanana Gusmao: It is the job of the international community. ... East Timor is a very small country and, we cannot be ambitious to be, to be a model of justice, but we hope the international community can do that. I believe that the (?) project of searching all the genocide crimes in East Timor from 1975 can give to the international community enough proof of the involvement of certain generals."

Mar 5 AFP: Horta calls for UN tribunal in East Timor News
"If Indonesia proves incapable of bringing the culprits to justice, we believe the UN Security Council will have no alternative but to create an ad-hoc tribunal for East Timor ... There can be no reconciliation without justice, we cannot declare an amnesty" Jose Ramos Horta, Foreign minister in East Timor's transitional government & 1996 Nobel Peace laureate

Feb 28 TP: Ad Hoc Committee for Human Rights Cases: UN Must Give Indonesia A Timeframe News
“Let me be straight. Though I value Serio de Mello’s efforts in Jakarta, I still think in order to be effective the UN must give Indonesia a deadline to deal with the [crimes against humanity] cases,” Aderito de Jesus, Director, Sahe Institute of Liberation

Feb 14 SMH: UN credibility at risk over war crimes, says Horta News
"If Indonesia fails to deliver justice then I don't see how the Security Council can get away from creating a war crimes tribunal for East Timor. ... I am confident a war crimes tribunal remains a strong option.'' Jose Ramos Horta, cabinet member for foreign affairs, UN-chaired East Timor Transitional Administration (ETTA)

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. Such a tribunal should not be limited to crimes committed in 1999 but should cover all crimes beginning in 1975 when the Indonesian military began its campaign of terror against the East Timorese people. 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." Aderito de Jesus Soares, founder, East Timor Jurists Association

Nov 1999 NI: We Will not be crushed Plea added May 24
"I urge each of you to call on your governments to open a war crimes tribunal on Indonesia. We do not want revenge. We just want those who are guilty of war crimes against humanity to be brought to justice. For the sake of those who were murdered. For the sake of those were burnt to death in their houses. All over the world, we must strive to bring to justice those Indonesian ministers and political leaders who for the past 23 years have executed this crime against a small nation." José Ramos Horta, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Calls from Indonesians

Jan 25 JP: End game in East Timor Editorial added Jan 26
"Even though it has been almost two and a half years since an eruption of violence in East Timor, not a single Indonesian military and police officer responsible for security in the territory at that time has been prosecuted. ... there is no doubt that Indonesia owes the international community some credible explanation. ... unless Indonesia lives up to its responsibility as a member of the international community, an international tribunal hearing for these officers will be the most appropriate alternative." Jakarta Post Editorial

17 Asia-Pacific countries (including Indonesia):
Nov 12 APCET: Ten years ago today, a massacre in Dili stunned the world Statement added Nov 13
"The crimes against East Timor are also crimes against humanity. It is time that the international community close this grim chapter in world history by convening an international human rights tribunal for East Timor. It is time that the Indonesian government redress their past wrongs by cooperating, if not, initiating proceedings to convene this international court. It is time for the victims and kin of all crimes in East Timor to rest. It is time for East Timor to be completely free." Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor (APCET)

17 Asia-Pacific countries (including Indonesia):
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]

Jun 13 JUSTICE FOR EAST TIMOR Petition added June 13
"[this] statement reflects the views of many organisations in Indonesia and East Timor, several of which have signed it. The primary purpose of the statement is to call upon the international community to set up an international tribunal for East Timor to bring the perpetrators of gross violations to justice. We firmly believe that timely justice and the ending of impunity are essential for peace and reconciliation in East Timor and for democracy and stability in Indonesia. We are convinced that credible trials will not be possible in Indonesia and that justice will not prevail unless international mechanisms are established without further delay."
Statement endorsed by 45 Groups and Organisations in Solidarity with East Timor from around the world

West Timor:
Jun 8 UMNS: Refugees in West Timor face critical conditions News added June 11
"Rondo [Centre for Internally Displaced People’s Services in West Timor] believes churches can make a difference in the crisis by advocating for action. He and the East Timor Action Network, which sponsored his U.S. speaking tour, are calling for:
· Pressure from the U.S. and international community on the Indonesian government to disarm and disband the militias.
· Support for an international tribunal on crimes against humanity committed in East Timor.
· Creation of a credible refugee registration process with significant international participation and oversight.
· Adoption of a complete ban on weapons sales, training and support for the Indonesian military by the United States until these issues have been resolved." United Methodist News Service

Apr 19 RadioNeth: Komnas HAM Sec.Gen supports International Tribunal for Timor Interview
" ... there has been so much delay not only on the part of the executive but also by parliament. So who can blame the international community and groups here in Indonesia for coming to the conclusion that the government is not serious about dealing with these crimes by setting up ad hoc courts? In other words, an International Tribunal will prove to be the only alternative if people’s demands for justice are to be met. ... Bearing in mind all the delay, it is better to set up an International Tribunal. This is the only way for justice to be done." Asmara Nababan, secretary-general of Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission, Komnas HAM

Calls from the International community

International network of Christian organisations and churches
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. This would allow the East Timorese a chance to move on from the events of the Indonesian occupation." Catherine Scott for Christian Consultation on East Timor (CCET)

Japan:
Jan 30/31 Free East Timor Japan Coalition letter to UNSG Letter added Feb 1
"We therefore call on you to strongly commit yourself to: (1) the establishment of an international tribunal to properly investigate crimes against humanity committed in East Timor, not only in 1999 but throughout the entire period of the Indonesian occupation, and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities; and (2) the provision of proper funding and resources for East Timor’s judicial system to ensure that low-level militia members within East Timor are brought to justice." Free East Timor! Japan Coalition

International Legal Experts:
Jan 31 Attorneys and Legal Scholars Call for International Tribunal for East Timor Release added Feb 1
"The time to prosecute the crimes inflicted upon the East Timorese through the establishment of an International Criminal Tribunal is now. Each step by the international community to prosecute the acts perpetrated against the East Timorese advances the rule of law, and signals that neither state-condoned nor state-perpetrated terror, wherever it occurs, will be tolerated." Nearly 50 Legal Experts from around the world (Signatures at: http://www.etan.org/news/2002a/01law.htm )
“We intend to keep pressing for justice for the people of East Timor, and will continue to collect signatures in support of a tribunal, ... A tribunal is necessary to hold those high ranking officials who organized and implemented the destruction of East Timor accountable. The international community cannot countenance impunity.” Anthony DiCaprio, Center for Constitutional Rights & lead attorney in a civil action against General Johny Lumintang

United States:
Jan 15 ETAN: Indonesian Judges Will Not Provide Long-Delayed Justice for ETimor Release added Jan 15
"The multiple delays in establishing the court, its limited jurisdiction, and the continued impunity with which the Indonesian military operates throughout the archipelago only reinforce our belief that the special Indonesian court will be a sham, ... The Indonesian military remains too powerful and the courts too corrupt. Without an international tribunal, those most responsible for Indonesia’s scorched earth campaigns in East Timor will escape punishment,” John M. Miller, spokesperson for East Timor Action Network U.S.

Canada:
Nov 15 KairosCanada: Appeal for Tribunal Action added Nov 15
“There must be no hiding place for political monsters such as unleashed the destruction of East Timor in 1999. These are crimes which are far greater than their immediate victims ... They strike at the future as well as the present. They make the world more dangerous for everyone.” Bishop Belo of Dili, Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, 1996
“For decades the people of East Timor suffered enormous brutality and slaughter of tens of thousands of people. In order for the new country to begin a new life, it is essential that the United Nations establish an international tribunal ... ” Very Reverend Bill Phipps, Former Moderator of the United Church of Canada
“Here is work for a United Nations international tribunal. Without such an effort the new nation will not be able to move ahead in true freedom. The work of building global peace requires such a demonstration of justice.” Msgr. Peter Schonenbach, General Secretary, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Japan:
Nov 12 TETA: The eve of 10th anniversary of Santa Cruz massacre Statements added Nov 12
"On Nov. 11, more than 70 people took part in a memorial event in Tokyo to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre in East Timor. After about an hour meeting, mourners walked to the Indonesian embassy in Tokyo carrying pictures of victims of the Santa Cruz massacre and laid flowers at the gate of the embassy. The event was organised by Tokyo East Timor Association (a member group of Free East Timor! Japan Coalition ), National Christian Council, Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Amnesty International Japan, Network for Indonesian Democracy, Japan, Japan NGO Network for Indonesia, and Pacific Asia Resource Center. The attendants unanimously approved the statement prepared by organisers, calling for the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute Indonesian military officers and top-level militia leaders responsible for crimes against humanity committed in East Timor." Kyo Kageura, Tokyo East Timor Association (Free East Timor! Japan Coalition)

International:
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. Through our work and our friendships, we have developed close contacts with many people and organizations in this soon-to-be independent nation. We understand and share their feeling that justice has not been served for the crimes against humanity committed here between 1975 and 1999. On 16 October, we attended a conference in Dili entitled “Justice and Accountability in East Timor,” where more than 60 East Timorese from more than 15 organizations came together and unanimously voiced their demand for an International Tribunal to provide justice for East Timor. ... They are asking, as are we, for the international community to take responsibility to end impunity for those who occupied and devastated this country." 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

Japan:
Oct 20 Free East Timor! Japan Coalition writes to UNSG re international tribunal Letter added Nov 13
"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. ... We therefore call on you to: 1) support the establishment of an international tribunal to properly investigate crimes against humanity committed in East Timor, not only in 1999 but throughout the entire period of Indonesian occupation, and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities" Free East Timor! Japan Coalition

United States:
Sep 6 CONG: Anniversary of Suai massacre & Atambua murders Statements added Sep 7
"If we in the United States and the international community are not to fail the people of East Timor once again -
* We must support an International Criminal Tribunal ...
* We must take immediate steps to protect and return home safely the East Timorese refugees ...
* We must continue to provide humanitarian, economic and development aid to East Timor ...
* We must continue to suspend all U.S.military aid and training to the Indonesian military ...
* We must strongly and unambiguously support the independence process in East Timor, ... " Rep. James P. McGovern

United States:
Sep 6 CONG: Anniversary of Suai massacre & Atambua murders Statements added Sep 7
"I support Senator Harkin’s Resolution calling for the establishment of an international war crimes tribunal to prosecute crimes against humanity in East Timor. I have also worked with Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont to restrict funding to Indonesia unless the Indonesian government allows refugees to return to East Timor and is actively committed to peace with East Timor." U.S. Senator Jack Reed

United States:
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

United States:
Sep 6 ETAN: Grassroots & Congressional Action Mark Anniversary of Timor Massacres Release added Sep 6
“East Timor took an historic step with last week’s democratic, multiparty election. Yet, the U.S. and the wider international community have failed to fully address critical issues, ... The victims of past crimes require justice and all refugees in West Timor who wish to return must be able to do so. ... An international tribunal is the only way to be certain that the Indonesian military commanders and political leaders most responsible are held accountable for the systematic human rights abuses in East Timor. Indonesia does not have the will and East Timor does not have the resources or access to try them. An international tribunal is essential to uphold international human rights standards and to end the impunity of the Indonesian military,” John M. Miller, spokesperson for East Timor Action Network (ETAN)

France: (French)
Aug 23 ApT: Le réglement de la question du Timor oriental est une question internationale Release added Aug 25
"Nous appellons le gouvernement français à maintenir son niveau d’implication dans la mission de l’ONU, à soutenir la création d’un tribunal pénal ad hoc pour Timor-Est et à agir de manière énergique pour que les Timorais de l’Est deplacés en Indonésie échappent à la terreur de milices soutenues par l’armée et puissent choisir librement de rentrer ou de rester en Indonésie." Agir pour Timor

France:
Aug 23 ApT: A solution of the ETimor issue is an international question Release added Aug 25
"We call on the French government to keep its level of implication in the UN mission, to support the creation of an ad hoc international penal tribunal for East Timor and to act energetically so that the East Timorese displaced in Indonesia escape the terror of army-supported militia and can freely choose to go back or stay in Indonesia." Agir pour Timor

Australia:
Aug 22 AAP: Australian Senate rejects Timor war crimes tribunal News added Aug 23
"Greens [party] Senator Bob Brown said Australia should pressure the United Nations to set up a war crimes tribunal to deal with atrocities in East Timor between 1975 and 1999. Senator Brown said 2,000 East Timorese were killed during the referendum period but 200,000 were killed during the entire Indonesian occupation, so Indonesia was only investigating one per cent of crimes." AAP

Australia:
Aug 21 AUSGOV: Senate debate on war crimes tribunal Transcript added Aug 29
"(4.22 p.m.) --I now move: That the Senate calls on the Australian Government to request that the United Nations set up an international war crimes tribunal to bring justice to those responsible for the crimes against humanity committed during the 1975 to 1999 Indonesian occupation of East Timor." [Greens] Senator Brown (Tasmania, Australia)

United Nations Consultant:
Aug 13 SMH/J.Dunn: Crimes Against Humanity Demand a Proper Airing Opinion added Aug 13
"Indonesian officers responsible for murder and mayhem in East Timor should face an international court, ... Will they be brought before the new [Indonesian] tribunal? Indications are that the prosecutors will focus on lower-level military involvement, and on the militia leaders in West Timor. ... 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." James Dunn, investigator of crimes against humanity in East Timor

United States:
Jul 23 ETAN Urges New Indonesian President to Show Support for ETimor Release added Aug 1
"Given the Indonesian military’s continued political power and its ties to Megawati, the international community must recognize that Indonesia is not capable of prosecuting the Indonesian military and political leaders responsible for crimes against humanity committed in East Timor from 1975 onwards, ... We urge members of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council to take the steps necessary to establish an international tribunal to prosecute crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in East Timor." John M. Miller, The East Timor Action Network (ETAN)

Australia:
Jul 13 HT Lee: Speech at Canberra launch of "A Dirty Little War" Speech added July 17
"Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has welcomed Milosevic’s detention but when it comes to our dealings with Jakarta, the Jakarta lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs, DFAT is still calling the shots and pulling the strings. It is therefore time for the Australian Government of whatever political persuasions to cut those strings and take a tougher stand with Jakarta by calling for and making sure the International War Crimes Tribunal for East Timor is established. It is only than that the ghosts of Balibo, Maliana, Suai, Liquica, Lospalos, Viqueque, Atsabe, Alas, Same, Dili and all the killing fields of East Timor, can finally be laid to rest." HT Lee, Australian press photographer in East Timor Sep 1999

United Nations Official:
Jul 13 AP: UN Official Calls For War Crimes Tribunal For East Timor News added July 14
“If there’s no progress toward bringing to justice the people responsible for the crimes ... there should be an international war crimes tribunal,” Peter Galbraith, political affairs minister in the U.N. administration in East Timor

United States:
Jun 1 Gabrielson: U.S. Responsibility in the West Timor Refugee Crisis Report added July 11
"The U.S., as number-one ally of Indonesia, should use its many connections within the government and military of Indonesia to press hard for the immediate disarming, disbanding, and criminal trial of the militias in West Timor. Not a single dollar of military aid should be released to Indonesia until human rights abuses stop in West Timor and across the Archipelago. International human-rights tribunals should be set up to try Indonesian military officers for crimes against humanity committed in East and West Timor, as well as in other locations." Curt Gabrielson

International:
Jun 13 JUSTICE FOR EAST TIMOR Petition added June 13
"In the light of the above, we call upon the international community to:
* Press the UN Security Council to take immediate steps to set up an international tribunal to bring to justice Indonesian military officers and others responsible for gross violations of human rights in East Timor whenever they were committed.
* Ensure that UNTAET makes the necessary structural and management changes to the SCIU and that it allocates sufficient resources and personnel to the Unit so that it is able to conduct credible investigations and prosecutions which take into account the systematic and planned nature of the violence.
* Press the UN to provide greater professional and financial support to inexperienced East Timor judges, prosecutors and defenders.
* Make a commitment to support and provide resources for serious crimes investigations in East Timor after the current UNTAET mandate expires."
Statement endorsed by 45 Groups and Organisations in Solidarity with East Timor from around the world

Britain:
Jun 13 CAFOD/CIIR/TAPOL: British aid agencies call for justice in East Timor Release added June 13
“Indonesia has prevaricated too long on this issue. Jakarta does not intend to pursue justice for the East Timorese. It is now time for the international community to act. An international tribunal must be set up. Timely justice and the ending of impunity are essential for peace and reconciliation in East Timor and for democracy and stability in Indonesia.” CAFOD’s East Timor Programme Officer Catherine Sexton

United States:
Jun 6 U.S. NGO letter to Powell re. intl tribunal for East Timor Petition added June 9
" ... we urge the U.S. government to redouble its efforts to end impunity and ensure accountability and justice. The United States should heed Bishop Belo’s cry by giving unconditional support for an international tribunal on East Timor, and taking the lead in encouraging the UN Security Council to do the same. " 33 U.S. Non-government organisations

United Nations Consultant:
Jun 2 Dunn: Re call for Tribunal Comment added June 19
"In view of the changing scene in Jakarta the need to press for an international tribunal is now more urgent. ... What we should not be doing, is hesitating and encouraging the TNI command establishment to conclude that it is now likely to escape international scrutiny." James Dunn, Crimes investigator for United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET)

Aotearoa New Zealand:
May 14 IHRC: NZ Foreign Minister Urged To Act On International Tribunal Release added May 20
"The Indonesia Human Rights Committee has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs [Aotearoa New Zealand] to urge him to mobilise international support for an effective international tribunal to try those responsible for mass murder in East Timor. The Committee also wants stronger action to enforce an end to militia violence in the West Timor refugee camps and on the border with East Timor." Indonesia Human Rights Committee

International:
May 9 SBS: Australias East Timor secret TV documentary
"In an extraordinary investigation, reporter Mark Davis returns to East Timor to disclose disturbing new revelations about Australia’s secret intelligence information prior to the country’s independence referendum. ... The Australian member of the International Commission of Jurists, Justice John Dowd, says the report reinforces the need for an International War Crimes Tribunal to examine crimes committed by the Indonesian Army and the Indonesian-backed militia." SBS Dateline (Australia)

United Kingdom:
May 8 Catholic aid agency CAFOD calls for war crimes court on East Timor Release
“It is clear that there is no political will in Jakarta for any serious steps to be taken against those who commit human rights atrocities. Jakarta’s efforts on this front have lost all credibility. ... One of the best steps towards the development of democracy in the long-run is the promotion of justice and the rule of law. CAFOD is concerned that groups being seen as clearly above and outside the law will affect the development of democratic principles in both East Timor and Indonesia, and will only promote the use of violence in both societies. ... It is time for the international community to realise that we can best support these fledgling democracies by bringing to justice those guilty of such atrocities. Indonesia cannot and will not do this itself, and it is time for the establishment of an international tribunal on East Timor.” Catherine Sexton, CAFOD Programme Officer for East Timor

Ireland:
May 3 IT: War Crimes in East Timor Letter to the Irish Times [Dublin]
"It is time for the international community to tell Indonesia that it has had its chance and failed. ... So if trial and prison is good enough for Milosevic and Pinochet, it is good enough for Indonesia’s former dictator, Suharto, who is still free despite having robbed and murdered for 32 years. Many of those TNI commanders who were responsible for countless murders in East Timor are likely enjoying comfortable retirements in Jakarta. Any international war crimes tribunal for East Timor will serve several purposes. It will let the Indonesian people know the full extent of the savagery and horror of what was done in their name. And it will let them and the world know the Indonesian military for what they are - a gang of murderers and criminals. They won’t just become international pariahs, but become pariahs in their own country. Last but not least, for those of us who saw many members of our families die, it will give us some comfort at the thought that those responsible will one day have to face justice and answer for what they did." Jose Lopes

United States:
Apr 2001 Estafeta: Will East Timor See Justice? Article
"Since the Indonesian system perpetuates impunity, ETAN is calling on the United States and other nations to create an international tribunal to try those responsible for serious human rights abuses and crimes against humanity in East Timor since 1975. This was the number one priority of the East Timorese NGOs I met with in December and January, and is also ETAN’s highest goal." Charles Scheiner, National Coordinator, East Timor Action Network/US

France: (French & English)
Apr 28 Agir pour Timor demande la création immédiate d’un tribunal pénal international ad hoc sur Timor-Est / Agir pour Timor calls for the immediate creation of an ad hoc international criminal court on ETimor Release; Link to report added June 25
"Un processus judiciaire international est suspendu à la mise en oeuvre d’un processus judiciaire indonésien. Cette mesure, qui n’a pas d’équivalent dans l’histoire récente (on pense notamment à l’ex-Yougoslavie et au Rwanda), est incompatible avec le caractère international du conflit de Timor-Est, ... Agir pour Timor recommande: L’établissement immédiat d’un tribunal pénal international ad hoc, dont le mandat devrait couvrir au moins l’entière période de l’occupation indonésienne." Rapport Agir pour Timor
"An international judicial process is suspended to the implementation of an Indonesian judicial process. This measure, which has no equivalent in recent history (ex-Yougoslavia and Rwanda notably come to mind), is incompatible with the international character of the East Timor conflict, ... Agir pour Timor recommends: The immediate set-up of an ad hoc international criminal court, whose mandate should cover at least the full Indonesian occupation period." Agir pour Timor report

Australia:
Apr 28 SMH: Timor Crimes Editorial
"It will be a further crime, added to those indicated by this report [Indonesian Commission of Investigation into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) secret 41-page report], if the Indonesian Government now fails to extend the jurisdiction of the Indonesian special tribunal on human rights cases well back before the time of the referendum, to catch the many crimes committed before August 1999. If not, there will be renewed international pressure for a special UN war crimes tribunal for Indonesia like those for Rwanda and Yugoslavia." Sydney Morning Herald editorial

International:
Apr 26 TAPOL: Indonesia forfeits right to conduct Timor trials Release
“The Indonesian authorities have cynically misled the international community as to their true intentions and cannot be trusted. Indonesia is neither willing nor able to provide justice to the long-suffering victims of the appalling crimes committed by the Indonesian military and its militia proxies in East Timor. International justice must now take its course.” Paul Barber, TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign

United States:
Mar 26 About HR: US Court Goes After Architect of ETimor Terror News with background
"The East Timorese have been seeking to hold accountable those responsible for the great suffering inflicted upon them by Indonesia’s invasion and occupation of their country. They are especially concerned that, barring the creation of an international tribunal, the Indonesian military leaders who gave the orders will escape justice. The lawsuit and hearing provide a forum for the East Timorese to tell their stories and to have a court officially acknowledge and rule on one of those responsible." John Miller, East Timor Action Network (ETAN)

International:
Apr 25 AI: Indonesia: Struggle against impunity -- one step forward, two steps back Release
"It is a case of one step forward, two steps back, ... The decision to establish courts on Tanjung Priok and East Timor is a positive move, but to restrict the mandate of the court on East Timor to post-ballot cases denies justice to the scores of victims who suffered serious violations in the months leading up to the vote. ... This compromised decision should force the international community to seriously consider the establishment of an international criminal tribunal on East Timor so that the 1999 events can be looked at in their entirety," Amnesty International

United States:
Apr 25 ETAN publishes text of suppressed UN report on East Timor destruction Release & Link to full text of report
"The report is now available on the internet at http://www.etan.org/news/2001a/dunn1.htm
The document, "Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor, January to October 1999: Their Nature and Causes," was written by former Australian diplomat James Dunn, an independent consultant to the Chief Prosecutor for the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor's (UNTAET). ...
"An international tribunal is needed if the East Timorese are to see justice for the crimes committed against them. As of now, no Indonesian military officers have been indicted, much less tried for the crimes recounted in Dunn's report, ... Justice cannot be served in Indonesian courts because many East Timorese are too traumatized to travel to Indonesia to testify. Also, the military command has consistently blocked UN investigations, refusing to extradite suspects or even to allow them to be questioned. In fact, many of the officers named in the report maintain positions of authority in the TNI, ... Any Indonesian trials are fraught with so many legal, practical and political problems that any convictions of high-ranking officers are extremely unlikely," John Miller, spokesperson, ETAN
After numerous delays, the Indonesian government recently authorized an ad hoc human rights court on East Timor. But the court itself has not been set up, and its mandate is restricted to "gross human rights violations that occurred in East Timor after the self-determination vote" of August 30, 1999, precluding prosecution for numerous crimes commtted before that date." The East Timor Action Network/U.S.

United Nations Consultant:
Major Report Apr 20 SMH: James Dunn 'Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor, Jan-Oct 99' Executive summary and recommendations
"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. Particular attention needs to be given to investigating the roles played by TNI commanders, with a view to laying charges against those responsible for the events of 1999. ...
In the event that no progress is made in Indonesia towards bringing to justice those responsible for the crimes committed in East Timor in 1999, immediate steps should be taken to negotiate the setting up of and international tribunal for this purpose. ...
While this report focuses on events in 1999, in the course of my enquiries persistent allegations of very serious crimes against humanity, involving mass murder, since East Timor was invaded in 1975 have been brought to my attention. I join with the KPP HAM report (recommendation 27) in calling for a thorough investigation of what transpired and of who was responsible. The most serious crimes, such as the Creras and Santa Cruz massacres, are crimes of such magnitude that they must be considered of concern to the international community as a whole."
James Dunn, Crimes investigator for United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), 14 February 2001

Germany:
Mar 19 Watch Indonesia: German MP demands stronger commitment for Human Rights Release
"At the 56th UNCHR a one year deadline has been set for the Indonesian Government to accuse all those human right violators. Since then nothing has happened and the time limit has been exceeded. Because of that there is no other alternative but to establish an international ad-hoc court as soon as possible." Mrs. Leutheuser-Schnarrenberger, Committee for Human Rights and humanitarian aid of the German Parliament (Bundestag)

Japan:
Mar 14 Japan: NGO Joint Petition on UNCHR 57th session Petition
"As Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor was never recognized by the UN, human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian army and police in East Timor during the occupation are by definition an international problem, and should therefore be tried within an international framework. It is now clear that satisfactory investigations and trials cannot possibly be conducted in Indonesia due to obstruction by the Indonesian army and by the conservative majority in Indonesia’s parliament. Indonesia has also refused all extradition requests made by UN investigators, despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding with UNTAET envisaging mutual cooperation in legal, judicial and human rights related matters." NGO Joint Petition on UNCHR 57th session

United States:
Mar 10 ETAN: Memo to UN Commission on H. Rights Memo
"The UNCHR should call for the establishment of an international tribunal to try crimes against humanity committed in East Timor, ... The demonstrated inability of both Indonesian and East Timorese judicial systems to bring Indonesian military and political personnel and militia leaders to justice should be clearly decried, and the defiant lack of cooperation of the TNI and Indonesian parliament with UN investigations strongly condemned. If the international community chooses to continue to wait for Indonesia to prosecute, the UNCHR should set clear deadlines and standards. Failure to meet these criteria would then trigger steps to set up an international tribunal. Any tribunal should be charged to investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in East Timor from 1975 to the end of 1999." East Timor Action Network/U.S.

International:
Feb 2 ICG: Indonesia: Impunity vs. Accountability For Gross Human Rights Violations Report
"The international community has a particular obligation to ensure accountability for Indonesian perpetrators of serious crimes committed in East Timor in 1999. It has a more general concern for accountability because of its stake in democratisation and stability in an important country. This requires a higher degree of international engagement in Indonesian processes than might otherwise be normal or tolerable. The prospect of an international tribunal to adjudicate serious crimes committed in East Timor was first raised within the UN in 1999, and judicial processes have been set in train by the UN administration in East Timor for the investigation of such crimes. This international interest and activity will continue to put pressure on Indonesia to set its own house in order. If handled judiciously, it will strengthen those in Indonesia advancing the cause of accountability, but the international community can not expect a quick, neat or comprehensive pay-off." International Crisis Group (Brussels)

International:
Jan 31 TAPOL: TAPOL demands international tribunal for East Timor on anniversary of UN report Release
"TAPOL has today accused the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and members of the UN Security Council - including Britain - of encouraging a culture of impunity in Indonesia and of failing in their duty to ensure timely justice of East Timor's victims of human rights atrocities instigated and directed by the Indonesian military. ... TAPOL says in letters to the Secretary General and Security Council members that it has been clear for some time that there is no alternative to international justice for East Timor. It urges the UN to act on the Commission's recommendation to set up an international tribunal without delay. ... Speedy justice and the ending of impunity are essential for peace and reconciliation in East Timor and for democracy and stability in Indonesia," Paul Barber, TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign

United Kingdom:
Dec 6 2000 Times: Bishops call for international tribunal to try war crimes in East Timor Letter
"In Indonesia efforts are being made to set up trials. But the conditions for them to be conducted according to international standards do not exist and are unlikely to in the near future. ... No healing process can start in the knowledge that perpetrators will go unpunished. Justice is vital to East Timor's future, and to the future of Indonesia, which is struggling to found a democratic state based on the rule of law." David Konstant, Bishop of Leeds, Chairman, Catholic Bishops' Conference Department of International Affairs & Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford

International: including but not limited to Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Belguim, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, USA, Wales
Dec 2 2000 CCET: Christian churches call for justice and peace in East Timor Statement
"While the International community ... has waited for the Indonesian government to try perpetrators, the defenceless victims of these mostly pre-meditated actions, are struggling to come to terms with huge physical and emotional loss. No healing process can start in the knowledge that perpetrators are at large, and will go unpunished. Without healing, East Timor's unique chance of founding a nation based on higher principles rooted in freedom and equity, will be still-born. Justice is vital not only to East Timor's future, but also to the future of Indonesia, which is also struggling to found a democratic state based on the rule of law.
* We call for an international ad hoc tribunal in which both Indonesia and East Timor will participate.
* We call for all suspected perpetrators to be tried, regardless of their military rank."
Christian Consultation on East Timor (statement signed by 36 Christian organisations and churches)

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