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Indonesia Must Confront Its Past, Accept Responsibility and
Deliver Justice for Timor Atrocities
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| Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) greets his East Timor counterpart Xanana Gusmao at a meeting in Tampak Siring palace on the resort island of Bali February 17, 2006. REUTERS/Presidential Secretary-Dudi Anung. |
The CAVR report states that a new relationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia
requires “the principles of acknowledging the truth of the past, accountability
for violence, and a spirit of generosity in assisting those who have been harmed
by that violence.”
The
report calls on Indonesia to provide “full documentation of military
operations resulting in human rights violations of civilians”; revise its
official account so as to “give the Indonesian people an accurate and
comprehensive account of the period 1974 to 1999”; and cooperate “fully with any
future international or East Timorese initiatives established to address justice
for violations of human rights committed in Timor-Leste between 1974 and 1999.”
The report also recommends that the Indonesian government, as well as Indonesian
businesses which profited from the occupation, contribute to a reparations trust
fund.
The CAVR report is the product of three years of intensive research by hundreds
of East Timorese and international experts and is based on information from more
than 8000 witnesses and victims. The report found that at least 102,800 people
died from 1975 to 1999 as a result of Indonesia's invasion and occupation.
The report is critical of the Commission on Truth and Friendship.
“Under its current mandate the Truth and Friendship
Commission (TFC), established over public opposition, does not meet
international human rights standards,” said Miller. “It cannot refer anyone for
prosecution for serious crimes but can propose amnesties. The international
community, including the U.S. government, must not use the TFC to dodge
responsibility for accountability,” he added. The two presidents plan to discuss
the TFC during their meeting.
The CAVR report covers the period from 1974 to 1999 and urges increased
attention to crimes committed before 1999, including the 99% of the total
murders committed under the Suharto dictatorship, which received strong backing
from foreign governments. UN-sponsored justice processes have so far limited
their work to 1999.
ETAN advocates for democracy, justice and human rights for East Timor and
Indonesia. ETAN calls for an international tribunal to prosecute crimes against
humanity committed in East Timor from 1975 to 1999 and for restrictions on U.S.
military assistance to Indonesia until there is genuine reform of its security
forces. For more information, go to www.etan.org.
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see also
- ETAN Calls for Broad International Discussion of Timor Truth Commission Report
- NSA: East Timor truth commission finds U.S. "political and military support were fundamental to the Indonesian invasion and occupation" "Responsibility" chapter published on Web by National Security Archive
- Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal Letter to UN Secretary-General
- ICTJ: Timorese Truth Commission Report Reveals Shocking Brutality, Calls for End to Impunity
- Reconciliation with Jakarta without justice is meaningless, says bishop of Baucau
- ETAN Calls for Release of East Timor Truth Commission Report Urges Full Discussion of Its Findings & Recommendations
- East Timor Bishop Ricardo to UN Secretary-General on Justice
Additional news and other reports on Truth Commission report and reaction
