East Timorese Activist to Speak on Economic Justice, Human Rights

In February 2003, East Timorese activist José Luis de Oliveira will join ETAN for a speaking tour of the United States to discuss the economic issues facing East Timor, including the role of international financial institutions, development of Timor Sea oil reserves, and community-based alternatives to neoliberal development models. He will also stress the need for an international tribunal for East Timor as the only way to achieve true justice for his homeland.

José Luis is a long-time community organizer and a co-founder of two of the most important East Timorese rights groups, FOKUPERS (women’s human rights) and Yayasan HAK (human rights, law and justice). He has worked with farmers, fishers and small businesspeople to strengthen local economies in East Timor. In 1999, he coordinated international solidarity activists observing the referendum on independence, including many ETAN members. José Luis currently serves as Yayasan HAK’s Program Director, coordinating education, advocacy, legal studies and other campaigns on local and national levels.