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Call for action on Truth and Reconciliation Report
Indonesia Human Rights Committee Media Release - July 13, 2008
The Australian media (Sydney Morning Herald July 11, 2008) has obtained leaked copies of the report of the joint Indonesia and Timor-Leste Commission for Truth and Reconciliation. Surprisingly, the Commission has come up with a report that lays the major blame for the 1999 bloodshed in Timor-Leste at the feet of Indonesian military, police and government officials. There is, however, no call for prosecutions as that was not in the Commission's narrow mandate.
"The release of this report, which is scheduled for tomorrow, must be the cue for a strong international response calling for an international tribunal which can hold those guilty of crimes against humanity to account," said Maire Leadbeater speaking for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee. "It is time for New Zealand to come out of the shadows and take a stand for justice and on behalf of the Timorese victims of violence."
"This report is bound to create some shock ripples, as the Commission's report was expected to be something of a whitewash. Instead, it states that the Indonesia security forces were involved in an "organised campaign of violence". The Indonesian state bears "institutional responsibility" for crimes including murder, rape, torture, illegal detention, and forced mass deportations that led to international intervention."
"There is not even one single Indonesian military officer or government official in jail for the abuses and massacres that took place in Timor-Leste over the 24 years of the Indonesian occupation.[1] Eighteen people were tried in an ad-hoc Jakarta human rights trial but all have now been acquitted. Timor-Leste lost close to a third of its population, but the key architects such as General Wiranto, who was in command in 1999, continue to lead prominent public lives. General Wiranto is campaigning to be the next President."
"The people of Timor-Leste have had to struggle to construct their new nation virtually from scratch. During the Indonesian occupation the country lost nearly one third of its population and many remain deeply traumatised by the memories and scars of the violence they and their families endured. It is not surprising that Timor-Leste struggles to ensure community security and stability."
"There are international tribunals under way to address the crimes committed in Sierra Leone, former Yugoslavia and Cambodia. Now it is Timor-Leste's turn."
Further information: Maire Leadbeater: 09-815-9000 or 0274-436-957
[1] http://etan.org/news/2007/03justsumm.htm for a Summary of Justice Processes and Commissions for Timor-Leste
Indonesia Human Rights Committee
PO Box 68-419, Auckland
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