PDF versionCongressmembers
Urge Greater U.S. Commitment to Promote Justice for Timorese
Call for U.S. Response to CAVR Report
April 25, 2008
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
Dear Secretary Rice,
We are writing to urge a greater commitment on the part of the U.S. government
to promote justice for human rights violations perpetrated against the people of
Timor-Leste during and immediately following the Indonesian occupation. The U.S.
government should respond to this situation and take a leadership role in
bringing the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice. More
specifically, the U.S. government should formally respond to
the report of
Timor-Leste's Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (known as the
CAVR) and work for an international tribunal to try those most responsible for
war crimes and crimes against humanity during Indonesia's occupation. In
addition, we are concerned by the State Department's endorsement of the Joint
Indonesia-Timor-Leste Commission on Truth and Friendship (CTF) before the
commission's report has even been released.
Genuine accountability for these violations will contribute to peace and
stability in Timor-Leste and strengthen reform and democracy in Indonesia. Along
with many others throughout the world, we have watched recent events in Timor-Leste
with deep concern. The attacks on the country's president and prime minister, as
well as the intermittent unrest over the last several years, have many and
complex causes. However, the failure to achieve justice and accountability for
past crimes is high among them, resulting in a climate of impunity in Timor-Leste.
Many believe those responsible will not be held accountable for their violent
crimes, while others lacking confidence in formal processes take justice into
their own hands. Despite Indonesia's progress in building a vibrant democracy in
recent years, it is widely recognized that reform of the military lags far
behind that of other institutions.
Efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice have failed. Indonesia's Ad-hoc
Human Rights Court on East Timor ended with the acquittal of all those brought
before it. The Indonesian government's refusal to cooperate with the UN-backed,
and now largely dormant, Serious Crimes process in Timor-Leste has resulted in
nearly 80% of those indicted enjoying sanctuary in Indonesia, including a number
of high-ranking Indonesian officials.
If credible trials and appropriate punishments of those responsible for major
human rights violations are to occur, an international effort is needed. The
CAVR report contains a number of recommendations for such an effort, some of
which address the U.S. in its roles as a UN Security Council member, as a
country which armed and trained the Indonesian military, and as an aid donor to
Timor-Leste. The report was formally delivered to the U.S. government more than
two years ago and deserves a considered response, especially to its call for an
international tribunal to try those most responsible.
When he was prime minister, current President Jose Ramos-Horta acknowledged the
far-reaching nature of the CAVR's recommendations and committed to "endeavour to
implement them." He proclaimed, "We owe it to the people, we owe it to the
victims, we owe it to the current generation and the future generation so that
Timor-Leste can live in peace." We urge your Administration to make a similar
commitment, when it comes to the CAVR's recommendations relevant to our own
country.
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Patrick J. Kennedy
Jim
McDermott
Raul Grijalva
Tammy Baldwin
Jim McGovern
Carolyn Maloney
Eni Faleomaveaga
Donald Payne
Dale Kildee
Tim Bishop
Jim Langevin
Dennis Kucinich
Maurice Hinchey
David Wu
Lois Capps
Jim Oberstar
Ed Towns
Peter DeFazio
Barbara Lee
Sam Farr
Mike Capuano
Zoe Lofgren
Sanford Bishop
Madeline Bordallo
Gwen Moore
Eleanor Holmes-Norton
Mike Honda
Chakah Fattah
Henry Waxman
Betty McCollum
Jan Schakowsky
Jose Serrano
Jim Moran
Allison Schwartz
