[asia-apec 1847] Re: ETAN: Justice for E Timor Will Not Come from Indonesia Indictments

[Zainab Wahidin]

Let us not forget that it was the US that armed the Suharto regime that
perpertrated genocide of the East Timorese. To expect Indonesia to conduct a
just trial seems fair game for America. I think the E.Timorese issue is the
purview of the International Court of Justice.

Zainab W.


>
> Media Release
>
> For Immediate Release
>
> Contact:
> John M. Miller, 718-5967668; mobile: 917-690-4391
>
> Justice for East Timor Will Not Come from Indonesia Indictments
>
> Rights Group Urges International Tribunal Covering Entire Occupation
>
> February 26, 2002 -- Indonesia's recent indictment of seven military
> officers for crimes against humanity committed in East Timor in 1999 does
> not alleviate concerns that Indonesian courts can provide justice for the
> thousands of victims of military violence in East Timor, observed an East
> Timorese activist and the East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN).
>
> "The recent Indonesian indictments do not alter our view that an
> international tribunal is essential to hold fully accountable those most
> responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in East
> Timor," said John M. Miller, spokesperson for ETAN.
>
> "The East Timorese are united in their desire for an international
> tribunal," said Filomena dos Reis of the East Timor NGO Forum. "Over two
> decades of first-hand experience with Indonesian justice tells us the
> current ad-hoc court will not be meaningful." Dos Reis, the Forum's
> Advocacy Director is currently on a speaking tour of the United States to
> build support for an international tribunal.
>
> Last week in Jakarta, Indonesia's Attorney General filed charges against
> seven men for genocide and crimes against humanity for the September 6,
> 1999 massacre in a Suai churchyard where several hundred people were
> killed, including nuns and priests. The murders took place, two days after
> the United Nations announced that East Timor had voted overwhelmingly for
> independence. Three members of the U.S. Congress had visited the Suai
> church just a few weeks before the massacre.
>
> On Monday, February 18, prosecutors in East Timor indicted 17 Indonesian
> soldiers and militia for crimes against humanity allegedly committed 1999.
> All of those indicted are believed to reside in Indonesia, but Indonesian
> officials quickly stated they would not honor any extradition requests or
> international warrants filed with Interpol.
>
> "Indonesia's refusal to fulfill its obligation to turn over suspects to
the
> serious crimes court in East Timor should leave no doubt that Indonesia's
> commitment to justice is half-hearted at best," Miller added. "The
> Indonesian indictments should not deflect pressure for extraditions or an
> international tribunal."
>
> "The limited jurisdiction of the court, the continued power of the
> Indonesian military and the poor quality and lack of training of many of
> the judges reinforce our concerns about the Indonesian process. Indonesia
> has no witness protection program and traumatized East Timorese are
> unlikely to testify in Indonesian courts," said Miller. "The U.S., UN, and
> its member states are treading a dangerous line by giving credibility to a
> process that is so fatally flawed."
>
> An April 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on legal co-operation
> signed by the UN Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the Indonesian
> Government allows for the transfer of suspects. Despite a recent
Indonesian
> pledge to extend the MOU, the Indonesian government officials maintain
that
> they have no obligation to extradite suspects.
>
> Last August, the Megawati administration amended the decree establishing a
> special human rights court on East Timor, limiting it to selected
incidents
> from April and September 1999 in three out of East Timor's 13 districts.
>
> "No one will be tried for the many atrocities that occurred outside of the
> narrow time periods and locations. The limitations mean that the
military's
> role in orchestrating the violence and devastation throughout 1999 will
not
> be fully addressed. The many crimes specifically directed at women will
> also not be prosecuted," said Miller.
>
> "Further, no one responsible for Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor
> and most of the massive crimes committed during Indonesia's 24-year
> occupation will be investigated, much less held accountable," he added.
>
> Following the August 30, 1999 UN-organized referendum, the Indonesian
> military and their militias systematically destroyed East Timor, murdering
> up to 2000 East Timorese, destroying over 70 percent of the infrastructure
> and raping hundreds of women. Hundreds of thousands were forced from their
> homes.
>
> The East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN) supports human dignity for the
> people of East Timor by advocating for democracy, sustainable development,
> social, legal, and economic justice and human rights, including women's
> rights. ETAN has 26 local chapters throughout the U.S. For additional
> information see ETAN's web site (http://www.etan.org).
>
> -30-
>
>
>
> etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
> John M. Miller         Internet: john at etan.org
>
> Media & Outreach Coordinator
> East Timor Action Network: 10 Years for Self-Determination & Justice
>
> 48 Duffield St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
> Phone: (718)596-7668      Fax: (718)222-4097
> Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
> Web site: http://www.etan.org
>
> Support ETAN, to make a donation: http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm
>
> Send a blank e-mail message to info at etan.org to find out
> how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
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