November 12, 2006 - On the fifteenth anniversary
of the infamous massacre at Santa Cruz cemetery
in Timor-Leste, the East Timor and Indonesia
Action Network (ETAN) called for justice for its
victims and their families, as well as the many
others killed and victimized during Indonesia’s
invasion and occupation of the territory from
1975 to 1999. The 1991 massacre — witnessed and
filmed by foreign journalists – was a turning
point in Timor-Leste’s struggle for self-determination.
“East Timor is now independent, but its people
cannot overcome their tragic past until there is
accountability for decades of systematic human
rights violations by the Indonesian military,”
said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of
ETAN. “This de facto impunity has an impact on
Timor-Leste today, contributing to the current
security crisis which forced half the capital’s
residents from their homes. ETAN will not rest until justice is done.”
“We urge the new Congress to take action toward
accountability and justice, moving beyond the
Bush administration’s lip service to support for
an international tribunal to try crimes against
humanity committed in Timor-Leste,” said Miller.
“Congress should address the recommendations of
Timor-Leste’s truth and reconciliation
commission, especially its calls for a tribunal,
reparations and restrictions on assistance to
Indonesia’s military. By doing so, Congress will
demonstrate its commitment to human rights and
begin to redress the years of active U.S. support
for Indonesia’s brutal, illegal occupation of Timor-Leste,” added Miller.
“On this important anniversary, we again join
with the Timorese people in urging the United
States and the international community to
seriously pursue the Indonesian generals and
political leaders who organized and directed
numerous crimes during the 24-years of illegal
occupation. A credible international tribunal is
the only way to end impunity,” said Miller.
“After seven years and numerous processes,
neither Indonesia, Timor-Leste nor the United
Nations has mustered the political will needed to
achieve accountability,” said Miller.
“Unfortunately, this impunity leads some in
Timor-Leste to believe they will not be held
accountable when they commit violent crimes and
sometimes motivates violent retaliation by
victims who do not expect redress from the legal system.”
Background
On November 12, 1991, Indonesian troops opened
fire on a memorial procession which had become a
peaceful pro-independence demonstration at the
Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, Timor-Leste’s
capital. More than 270 mostly-young Timorese were
murdered. This massacre, unlike many others
committed during Indonesia’s 24-year occupation,
was witnessed by international journalists, whose
video and photographs were shown worldwide. The
Santa Cruz massacre galvanized international
support for Timor-Leste and was the catalyst for
congressional action to stem the flow of U.S.
weapons and other assistance for Indonesia’s security forces.
During more than two decades of occupation of
Timor-Leste, Indonesian soldiers committed
serious crimes with impunity, taking well over
100,000 Timorese lives and torturing and displacing countless others.
Timor-Leste’s Commission for Reception, Truth and
Reconciliation researched and documented the new
nation’s experiences during the occupation. The
Commission recommended establishment of an
international criminal tribunal and also
advocated that countries (including the U.S.)
which backed the occupation and corporations
which sold weapons to Indonesia during that
period to pay reparations to victims. The
commission urged the international community not
to support Indonesia’s military until it was
thoroughly reformed and respectful of human rights.
Contact:
718-596-7668; mobile: 917-690-4391, john etan.org
ETAN was formed in reaction to the Santa Cruz
massacre. The U.S.-based organization advocates
for democracy, justice and human rights for
Timor-Leste and Indonesia. For more information
on the massacre see
http://etan.org/timor/SntaCRUZ.htm>http://etan.org/timor/SntaCRUZ.htm
or see ETAN’s web site:
http://www.etan.org>http://www.etan.org