A message about ETAN from Noam Chomsky

Donate to ETAN today!
Together We Can Make a Difference

How to Donate to ETAN: Donate safely by credit card below, or mail your donation to us. To support ETAN's political advocacy work, write a check made out to ETAN. For ETAN's educational efforts, U.S. tax-deductible donations of over $50 can be made out to A.J. Muste Memorial Institute/ETAN. Please mail contributions to:ETAN, PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873

Thank you for your support.

_____________________________________________

A special message for you from Noam Chomsky

Dear all:

.

I have admired and supported ETAN from the very beginning. In fact, I was the organization’s first donor. I still believe that contribution was one of the best investments I have ever made for political and social change. I write to you today to urge you to join me in making such an investment.

I know you agree that the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network continues to play an important and vital role in promoting human rights and justice for the peoples of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and West Papua. I know you also believe, as I do, that thanks to ETAN's and your efforts, East Timor became the independent nation of Timor-Leste more than a decade ago.

ETAN successfully worked to shift U.S. policy from provider of a blank check to the brutal Indonesian military to a supporter of East Timor's right to self-determination.

But trouble continues in West Papua, and ETAN is there to tackle it. As it did so effectively for the East Timorese people, ETAN is working to change U.S. policy to support the rights of West Papuans.

ETAN actively monitors ongoing threats to human rights, defending activists in Indonesia, West Papua and Timor-Leste. ETAN continues to press for justice on behalf of the victims of U.S.-backed policies that had such devastating impacts on the people of Timor-Leste, and that continue to have similarly devastating effects on the people of West Papua and Indonesia. And finally, ETAN continues to call for key U.S. figures -- like Henry Kissinger -- to be brought to justice for their roles in backing genocide and crimes against humanity.

I consider the shameful crimes committed against the people of West Papua to be a major scandal, one that those in the West have much to answer for. As I told the Jakarta Postlast March, "What happened in East Timor was because the U.S. and its allies supported it for 25 years. West Papua is the same. As long as the U.S. … and [other] Western powers support atrocities, they are carried out with impunity, just like their own atrocities are."

ETAN understands this. Among its advocacy and educational efforts, ETAN:

·    is campaigning for unconditional freedom for West Papuan political prisoners;

·    is advocating to let the sunshine in by opening access to the region to journalists and other international observers;

·    has highlighted the role of the U.S. mining giant Freeport McMoRan;

·    regularly responds to the all-too-frequent reports of human rights violations in West Papua;

·    continues to oppose (as it has done from the start) U.S. support for Indonesia's security forces that repress West Papuans; and

·    closely monitors events in West Papua, including publication of the well-regarded monthly West Papua Report with the West Papua Advocacy Team.

Support ETAN. Donate today!

But ETAN can only continue this hard-hitting advocacy with your support. Please donate today. Much remains to be done.

ETAN is on the forefront of efforts to hold both Indonesian and U.S. officials accountable for human rights violations.

Despite some progress, the legacy of U.S.-backed dictator Suharto remains. Indonesia's new defense minister, retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu, has a history of excusing rights violations by his soldiers, threatening human rights critics, and asserting the military's right to meddle in civilian affairs. ETAN's widely-cited criticism of his appointment have put Indonesia’s newly elected President on notice we will be watching what he does, not just what he says on human rights.

ETAN has launched a campaign calling for the U.S. to declassify and release all it knows about Indonesia's Rwanda-style 1965 massacres in Indonesia—that the CIA itself concluded were "one of the worst mass murders of the 20th century"—and to acknowledge the U.S. role in the crimes. If you haven't yet done so, please sign ETAN's petition demanding the release of the records and acknowledgment of the U.S. role.

And ETAN remains a world-class source of information, but that cannot continue without your support. Please give generously so ETAN’s unique work can continue.

ETAN's e-mail lists, website, and twitter feed are praised as irreplaceable sources of information and analysis. More than 3400 journalists, policy makers, activists and students ­subscribe to ETAN’s long-running east-timor email listserv, to stay informed about news and analysis about Timor-Leste. Many of you rely on this and ETAN's similar services on Indonesia and West Papua.

Clearly, ETAN’s work remains essential. But it can only do that work with the active and generous support of people like you, who believe in human rights, justice and accountability for the peoples of Timor-Leste, West Papua, and Indonesia.

Your support is crucial. Thank you for joining me in giving generously.
Sincerely,

 /s/

Noam Chomsky

P.S. Please consider becoming an ETAN Sustainer by making a monthly donation by credit card. Help put ETAN on a firmer financial footing, see information here.

Read the December 2014 West Papua Report: TNI in Papua, political prisoners, protesters under attack, more

Read the December 2014 West Papua Report

CONTENTS

This edition's Perspective is the first part of an article by Made Supriatma about Indonesian security force deployments in West Papua. In Update: Papuan leaders from around the world gathered in Vanuatu. Peaceful Papuan demonstrators were detained and shot during events commemorating the founding of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB). Papuan Behind Bars reports that 69 West Papuan political prisoners are currently in Indonesian government custody. The U.S. government plans to expand its support for "modernization" of the Indonesian military (TNI). Reform of that deeply corrupt, human rights abusing and unaccountable institution is not on the U.S. or TNI "modernization" agenda. Indonesia's new defense minister plans to re-institute military influence in civilian sectors. The plan would undo much of the limited post-Suharto reforms with specific negative consequences for West Papua. Another military plan, apparently endorsed by President Widodo, would put new military commands in West Papua. In Chronicle, Papuan political prisoner Filep Karma is interviewed by Michael Bachelard. A review of the 2001 Bloody Waisor incident provides important context to new logging plans. Budi Hernawan revisits the murder by Kopassus of Theys Eluay and the disappearance of his driver. Finally, we note a timely analysis of Indonesia's growing efforts to wield influence in Melanesia where support for West Papuan self determination is growing.

Read the report here: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2014/1412wpap.htm 

Support ETAN. Donate today!

ETAN Supports Senate Resolution on 1965 Mass Violence in Indonesia

Read the whole media reelase here: ETAN Supports Senate Resolution on 1965 Mass Violence in Indonesia

December 11 - The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today urged the U.S. Senate to act quickly and pass Sen. Tom Udall's (D-NM) resolution calling on the U.S. government to "make available to the public all classified records and documents concerning the mass killings of 1965 and 1966" in Indonesia.

The resolution, introduced on December 10, Human Rights Day, "condemns the mass murder" and "expresses great concern about the lack of accountability enjoyed by those who carried out crimes during this period."

"The peoples of the U.S. and Indonesia deserve to know the full truth about these events. The U.S. must declassify and release all files related to Suharto's U.S.-backed seizure of power and the horrific events which followed," said Chris Lundry of ETAN. 

Read the rest here: http://etan.org/news/2014/12senate.htm

November West Papua Report is now out

This is the 127th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published by the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at  http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Q

Read the full issue here; http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2014/1411wpap.htm. For additional news on West Papua see the reg.westpapua listserv archive or on Twitter.

CONTENTS

This edition's PERSPECTIVE looks at the controversial appointment of retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu as Defense Minister by President Joko Widodo. UPDATEreports on Widodo's initial comments on West Papua. He has pledged to pursue a more benign approach to the multiple economic, education and heath problems facing Papuans, but critics note his failure to acknowledge ongoing human rights problems there. Two French journalists who had been detained for alleged immigration violations were finally freed. Their arrest prompted widespread protest internationally and within Indonesia over efforts by Jakarta to limit international awareness of the repression in West Papua. The U.S. plans to expand cooperation with the Indonesian navy notwithstanding its role in the 1998 Biak massacre. The arrest of six Papuans and wounding of one has prompted armed rebel threats of new hostilities in the Central Highlands. A new project employs mapping to advance land rights protections. President Widodo has named the first Papuan woman to be an Indonesian government minister. The new Home Minister has pledged to pursue solutions to problems affecting minorities, but supports further division of Papua into more provinces. Legislation to end local voting for governors, mayors and district heads is stalled for now. In CHRONICLE, the report notes an outstanding analysis by Inside Indonesia which explores the devastating impact of HIV-AIDS in West Papua.

Sign ETAN"s Petition and spread the word.

ETAN Opposes Appointment of Retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu as Defense Minister

ETAN Opposes Appointment of Retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu as Defense Minister

Read in full here
October 26, 2014 - The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today condemned Indonesia President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's appointment of retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu as Minister Defense.

"The appointment of a hardliner like Ryamizard Ryacudu tells us that President Widodo is not serious about promoting human rights or reaching out to West Papua," said John M. Miller, Coordinator of ETAN.

"He is a relic of the past with a history of excusing rights violations by soldiers, threatening human rights critics, and asserting the military's right to meddle in civilian affairs."

Miller added, "While fighting corruption may be a priority for his administration. He certainly didn't take into account Ryamizard's well-reported statements on human rights. This speaks volumes about the importance of human rights to Jokowi."
Read the rest here.

Ryamizard Ryacudu

West Papua Report October 2014: Widodo challenged, access, indigenous land rights, Scotland, Fiji, MIFEE, Vanuatu

West Papua Report October 2014 is now out. Read the full report here

CONTENTS

This month's PERSPECTIVE by WPAT's Edmund McWilliams looks at the challenges facing incoming President Joko Widodo, including those posed by West Papua.

This edition's UPDATE groups urge police to provide security to West Papua human rights defenders and reviews growing Indonesian and international calls for an end to repression in West Papua with particular focus on demands for an end to restrictions on access by journalists and others to West Papua. The surge in concern is prompted in large measure by the continued detention of two French journalists whose has been the focus of numerous appeals for their prompt release (see September 2014 West Papua Report). A local Papuan official drew attention to the release ofgreenhouse gases associate with the MIFEE project. A West Papuan conference hosted by Vanuatu has been postponed to December. Attacks on Indonesian security forces in the Papuan highlands continued in September. Indonesia's national Human Rights Commission is holding a series of hearings on the land rights of indigenous peoples, including in West Papua, The U.S. military has begun training for Indonesian military personnel with the AH-64 Apache helicopters which will enhance TNI capacity to conduct "sweep" operations in West Papua.

CHRONICLE notes an analysis by Al Jazeera America of the targeting of journalists in West Papua. Fijian NGO urges government to support West Papua, The September referendum which afforded Scotland a vote on their political status prompted several analyses that highlighted the continuing denial of the right to self-determination in West Papua.

Sign ETAN's Petition to U.S. Government Release the Records, Acknowledge the Crimes of 1965/66 Mass Violence in Indonesia

ETAN ALERT: Watch the Act of Killing, Take Action on U.S. Support for Mass Violence in Indonesia

Release the Records, Acknowledge the Crimes of 1965/66 Mass Violence in Indonesia Sign ETAN's Petition to U.S. Government

ETAN ALERT

Take Action on U.S. Support for Mass Violence in Indonesia

The Oscar-nominated documentary, The Act of Killing will be broadcast on PBS, Monday October 6, 2014, on POV. We hope you will watch this important and disturbing film, where

Although the massacre of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 communists, leftists, ethnic Chinese, and others in Indonesia in 1965-1967 is a foundational event in modern Indonesian political history, it remains mostly a footnote for most in the United States and elsewhere. In 2012, the documentary The Act of Killing shocked audiences throughout the world as perpetrators of the mass murder reenacted their violence. The film shows sociopathic gangsters from Medan, Sumatra, who committed these acts as they are celebrated by many in modern Indonesia. The film has fueled a debate within Indonesia and drawn attention internationally to events unknown to many. Events that the U.S. facilitated and cheered at the time.

The public television program POV will be airing the Oscar-nominated The Act of Killing on October 6 (and you can watch it on POV's website from October 7-21) and the film is available for online streaming and purchase elsewhere. The Look of Silence, a companion film currently showing at film festivals, focuses on the victims. It follows the investigation by Adi Rukun into the murder of his older brother who was killed during the violence.

These powerful films tell us much about Indonesia today as they do about the past. However, any evaluation of the events of 1965-1967 must include a discussion of the role of Western powers in the violence, including that of the United States. The East Timor and Indonesia ActionNetwork (ETAN) continues to call for accountability for those in the West who encouraged and assisted in the mass violence in Indonesia. The full truth must come out and the U.S. should declassify all files related to Suharto's U.S.-backed seizure of power and the murderous events which followed.

ETAN has prepared a backgrounder on the events and aftermath of Suharto's brutal seizure of power, where we focus on the U.S. role and responsibility. Read Breaking the Silence: The U.S. and Indonesia's Mass Violence. 
What You Can Do

The World Bank gave $30 billion to a dictator who killed 1 million. ETAN projected the film on World Bank headquarters in Washington to highlight international complicity in Indonesia's mass violence. Photo by Dakota Bell.

1) Sign the petition urging the U.S. government to take two immediate steps:

a) declassify and release all documents related to the U.S. role in the 1965/66 mass violence, including the CIA's so-called "job files." These detail its covert operations,

b) and formally acknowledge the U.S. role in facilitating the 1965-66 violence and its subsequent support for the brutalities of the Suharto regime.

2) Watch The Act of Killing and write a letter to the editor about the need for the U.S. take responsibility for its role in the mass violence in Indonesia. We will have some sample letters available by the weekend, but it is better to write your own. Feel free to use ETAN's Backgrounder: Breaking the Silence: The U.S. and Indonesia's Mass Violence, if you do so.

3) If you are high school teacher or college professor teaching an appropriate subject, consider assigning The Act of Killing to your students. Use it as a springboard for discussions on the impact of U.S. foreign policy, the need to address human rights violations, and how the past affects the present. (Contact: Chris Lundry for further info or assistance.)

4) Support ETAN. We need your support to continue our work for justice and accountability. Please donate today.

For more information see http://www.etan.org

Timor and West Papua - September 2014 West Papua Report

West Papua Report September 2014 

CONTENTS

This month's PERSPECTIVE is by ETAN's John M. Miller. It looks at differences and similarities in the historical experience of Timor-Leste (East Timor) and West Papua.

French journalists Valentine Bourrat and Thomas Dandois
currently under arrest in West Papua. Photo: AFP

UPDATE examines the potential impact a Joko Widodo administration may have on West Papua, noting high expectations for a new focus on the "neglected region." Two French journalists have been detained by security authorities in West Papua; this action may be intended to challenge President-elect Widodo who has spoken of his intention to open West Papua to international media scrutiny. "Development" plans in the Bintuni Bay area appear to be ignoring the voices and interests of local Papuans. Security forces have detained and beaten two Papuans in Manokwari. Widodo plans to establish a human rights court are encouraging, but it is not clear whether the court will address the extraordinary abuses of the 1965-66 period or the systematic abuse of human rights in West Papua extending back even further.

CHRONICLE highlights appeals to President-elect Widodo by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch regarding the need to make human rights a priority. Both appeals include a focus on West Papua. A comment by Pat Walsh offers the view that the Widodo administration may offer the "best prospect" for progress on the decades-old "Papua problem."

Tangguh LNG plant at Bintuni Bay, West Papua. Photo: Tempo.

Coming New York Events by ETAN

Saturday, September 27, 2014, 6:30 pm
exhibit on display until Sunday, October 5

Timor-Leste Past and Present: Talks and an Exhibitwith Frederic Durand, Charles Scheiner and Jill Sternberg

The Commons, 388 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

nearby subways: A, C, G (Hoyt Schermerhorn);  2, 3 (Hoyt St.);  2,3,4,5 (Nevins St.), F, G (Bergen)

Frederic Durand, an historian who has focused on East Timor (Timor-Leste) for many years, has put together an bilingual (Portuguese and English) exhibit on Timorese history that has not been shown yet in the U.S. titled "Timor-Leste: A New State with Century-Old Roots in World History." He is flying over from Paris to introduce the exhibit, which will be on display at The Brooklyn Commons for a week following his talk on Saturday night. Charles Scheiner and Jill Sternberg are long-time East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) activists; they recently returned to U.S. after years of living and working in Timor-Leste. They will speak about current issues and challenges a dozen years after independence.

Contact ETAN or 718-596-7668 for more info.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1470640623220795/

-----------------------------------------

Thursday, October 2, 2014 7 pm - 10:30 pm

He's Back! Demonstrate against Henry Kissinger!
92nd St. Y, 92nd Street and Lexington Ave. in Manhattan

Kissinger has another book to hawk. Join ETAN and other organizations in protesting Kissinger's appearance at the 92nd St. Y.

Come and remind people about Kissinger's sordid history concerning Timor-Leste (East Timor), West Papua, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Angola and elsewhere.

Call the 'Y and ask them why they are hosting an accused war criminal and treating him as a respectable commentator on international affairs. Urge them to cancel the event. Call the Y: 212-415-5500.

On December 6, 1975, then Secretary of State Kissinger and President Gerald Ford visited Jakarta. At their meeting, Ford gave Indonesia's dictator Suharto an explicit go ahead for the invasion of East Timor and Indonesia invaded the next day. According to East Timor's Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) up to 180,000 died as a direct result of the illegal invasion and occupation. Declassified and leaked documents show that Kissinger understood that Suharto was balking at invading, concerned that the U.S. would cut off its supply of weapons and military training. Kissinger guaranteed continuation of weapons shipments. According to Timor-Leste's Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation as many as 180,000 people died as a result. For more on Kissinger's role in East Timor click here. Kissinger is currently out promoting his latest book World Order. 92nd St. Y event page ishere

In addition to ETAN, initial sponsors of the protest include War Criminals Watch, East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) and NYC War Resisters League. Let us know if your organization would like to sponsor.

Contact ETAN - 718-596-7668 for more information or to help out.

Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/343200435847269/?ref=22

more on Kissinger here

latest West Papua Report for August 2014

Read here: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2014/1408wpap.htm

CONTENTS

This month's PERSPECTIVE takes the form of West Papua Advocacy Team's (WPAT) open letter to President-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urging him to address fundamental problems in West Papua.
UPDATE notes that Widodo won substantial majorities in West Papua, but that many Papuans boycotted the election. A prominent Papuan activist fled West Papua to Australia following attempts to abduct her. The Asian Human Rights Commission called the President-elect's attention to outstanding human rights problems in West Papua and elsewhere. Leaders of the "Federal State of West Papua" were released after serving nearly three years in prison for their roles in the Third Papuan People's Congress. Planning is under way for a meeting of Papuan groups in Vanuatu. President-elect Widodo has criticized a deal with Freeport McMoRan signed by outgoing president Yudhoyono. West Papuan students staged coordinated protests in Java over the denial of Papuan rights, including the right to self-determination.Recent shootings have raised concerns over a possible "sweeping operation" as a retaliatory "collective punishment" response. The new Army Chief of Staff has a record of provocative statements which point to an intent to defame and persecute rights advocates.

CHRONICLE highlights a motion by the Green Party's Catherine Delahunty in the New Zealand Parliament concerning the absence of media freedom in West Papua. A new documentary reveals repression in West Papua. Amnesty International urged Widodo to address human rights abuses and security force impunity. A new article focuses on institutional racism in West Papua. Groups write urging Indonesia to implement the UN's Universal Periodic Review recommendations concerning West Papua.

Link to this issue: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2014/1408wpap.htm 
Back issues of West Papua Report

NZ Green MP Catherine Delahunty and Maire Leadbeater (West Papua Action Auckland)
 receive the John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award,given annually
by the West Papua Advocacy Team. Photo by AWPA.

Statement on Human Rights Abuses in Papua and West Papua

Human Rights Abuses in Papua and West Papua 

Submitted by:
VIVAT International and endorsed by ETAN among others.

Read the whole statement and list of signers here: http://etan.org/news/2014/07vivat_etal_on_papua.htm.

The statement begins: 

"We, the undersigned organizations, are concerned about the serious and ongoing violations of Human Rights that are taking place with impunity in the easternmost provinces of Indonesia Papua and West Papua. The violations of Human Rights have been well-documented and have been brought to the attention of Indonesia during the second round of the UPR process. Thirteen nations made recommendations to Indonesia with regard to the obligation to respect human rights in Papua and West Papua."

Read the West Papua Report 
(monthly news and analysis co-published by the West Papua Advocacy Team and ETAN)

ETAN Statement on 2014 Indonesian Election

ETAN recently issued a statement on the apparent election of Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as President of Indonesia.

The statement begins:

"The Indonesian people have voted. Although the results will not be finalized for several weeks, most "quick count" exit polls show that Jakarta Governor Joko (Jokowi) Widodo is the apparent winner of Indonesia's third popular election for President. Although his opponent former special forces commander Prabowo Subianto has yet to concede, barring fraud during the counting or coup, Jokowi will take the oath of office in October.

"Jokowi campaigned as a reformer, and most voters were not swayed by a massive smear campaign by supporters of his opponent or Prabowo’s nostalgic appeal to Indonesia’s authoritarian past. Many voted for Jokowi expecting a sharp break with that past. Whether their hopes are met will depend on consistent pressure from those who want positive change. The forces of the status quo - from oligarchs to the military - will certainly be urging him to maintain and expand their prerogatives. The fact that Prabowo came so close to winning despite his horrendous human rights record shows how entrenched this status quo remains more than 15 years after the end of Suharto’s dictatorship."

Read the rest here: http://etan.org/news/2014/07etan_on_election.htm .

Also see 

• ETAN, et al.: Groups Urge Any New Government of Indonesia to Pursue Justice and Respect Rights (June 30, 2014)

Yogyakarta voter. Photo by Angie Bexley/New Mandala

July 2014 West Papua Report

Read the full issue here

CONTENTS

This edition's PERSPECTIVE by David Webster that explores the role of US business in the Kennedy administration's decision to block Papuan self-determination and facilitate Indonesian annexation of West Papua.

UPDATE announces that the West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) is awarding dual recipients for its annual "John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award." For 2014, WPAT honors New Zealand activist Maire Leadbetter and Catherine Delahunty and the Green Party of New Zealand. Also, the Melanesian Spearhead Group has shelved a Papuan application for membership, pending since 2013. West Papuans are calling for a boycott of the July 9 Indonesian Presidential election. Papuan human rights activists expressed concerns about a Prabowo victory. 

Indonesia said it cancelled a New Zealand police training program because of "hidden motives." There have been renewed calls for UN monitors to go to West Papua to verify charges of human rights violations, and Papuans spoke out about the denial of their rights at a church-sponsored gathering at the margins of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

CHRONICLE notes a statement by 32 international organizations for the next Indonesian administration to address long-standing security force impunity for human rights crimes; to make reparations to those who have suffered abuses at the hands of security forces; and to establish civilian control of the military. A panel discusses Papuan rights in Geneva. A new video highlights human rights violations in West Papua. Human rights advocate Yan Christian Warinussy urges President Yudhoyono to release West Papuan political prisoners and open the territory before he leaves office, and a commentary by prominent Papuan academic Budi Hernawan on the "choices" confronting Papuans in the Indonesian presidential election. A three-part series on links the spread of AIDS/HIV in West Papua to the Freeport mining complex.

Groups Urge Any New Government of Indonesia to Pursue Justice and Respect Rights

Read the Statement to the next government of Indonesia on human rights

Media Release

Groups Urge Any New Government of Indonesia to Pursue Justice and Respect Rights

June 30, 2014 - In a statement released today human rights groups urged the next government of Indonesia "to break with the past [and] fully and meaningfully address the legacy of impunity for past human rights violations," adding that "the continued lack of accountability for past and ongoing violations of human rights threatens lasting progress."

The statement, coordinated by the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) and signed by 32 organizations based in a dozen countries, urged the Indonesia government to “provide meaningful reparations for the victims, survivors and their families of egregious human rights crimes.” It also called on the next government to bring the military “fully under civilian control and the rule of law.”

Read the rest here. 

Bahasa Indonesia: Kelompok-kelompok yang Mendesak Pemerintah Baru Indonesia untuk Mengejar Keadilan dan Menghormati Hak Asasi

Prabowo on Santa Cruz massacre, being a fascist dictator

Journalist Allan Nairn writes up his notes from a conversation with former Kopassus head Prabowo Subianto, now candidate for Indonesian president. Bahasa Indonesia version of article: "Apa saya cukup punya nyali," tanya Prabowo, "apa saya siap jika disebut 'diktator fasis'?"

Nairn writes that "Prabowo talked about fascism, democracy, army massacre policy, and his long, close relationship with the Pentagon and US intelligence."

Some excerpts:

On November 11, 1991 Santa Cruz massacre in Dili, Timor-Leste:

"Prabowo's complaint was not with the fact that the army had murdered civilians, but rather that they had done so in front of me and other witnesses who were then able to report the massacre and mobilize the outside world.

"'Santa Cruz killed us politically!,' Prabowo exclaimed. 'It was the defeat!' 

"'You don't massacre civilians in front of the world press,'" General Prabowo said. 'Maybe commanders do it in villages where no one will ever know, but not in the provincial capital'!"

On Leadership:

"He mentioned Pakistan's General Pervez Musharraf.

"Musharraf had arrested his country's civilian prime minister and imposed dictatorship. 

"Prabowo said he admired him greatly.

"Prabowo ruminated on whether he could measure up, whether he could be an Indonesian Musharraf.

"'Do I have the guts,' Prabowo asked, 'am I ready to be called a fascist dictator?'"

Just out: West Papua Report June 2014: West Papua Report June 2014: Poverty and Discrimination, land rights, calls for UN action, Police training, more

Read issue here

CONTENTS

This edition's PERSPECTIVE by renowned human rights campaigner Carmel Budiardjo provides a succinct overview of the history of Indonesian repression of West Papua and includes a focus on the special challenges facing Papuan women.

UPDATE highlights the intention of the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission to focus on the plight of indigenous peoples, notably in West Papua. The Asian Human Rights Commission draws attention to police shooting of three Papuans in Nabire. The online activist network "Anonymous" has announced that it will focus on the plight of Papuans. A Pacific regional UN forum on decolonization was urged to consider the situation in West Papua. Indonesian President Yudhoyono's planned visit to Fiji illustrates Jakarta's efforts to undercut the broad appeal of the Papuan cause in the region. Religious activists are focusing on the exploitation of workers and their families by the oil palm plantation run by Sinar Mas. A New Zealand police training program in West Papua has been cancelled. The Australian government is urged to mitigate culpability for rights violations abroad.

CHRONICLE highlights "West Papua: No-One's Colony" by the Pacific Network on Globalization and May 14comments before the UN by Julianus Septer Manufandu, of the Papua Customary Council. A new illustrated, interactive eBook tells Papuan stories. Australian TV journalist broadcasts program on human rights in West Papua.

Freeport Mine 

Timor-Leste President TMR Urged to Veto Bad Media Law

Read more here.


On 6 May, after only three hours of specific debate, Timor-Leste's Parliament passed a law which would severely restrict Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and of the press. More than three weeks later, they have not yet sent the law to President Taur Matan Ruak. The President will have 30 days in which to sign or veto the law after he receives it.

Yesterday, La'o Hamutuk and other organizations wrote a letter urging the President to veto the law, "because it will harm democracy and human rights, restrict many people's rights to freedom of expression, and give power to a single group to issue a few licenses while limiting other people's rights to share information. We believe this violates Timor-Leste’s Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

The letter is online at www.laohamutuk.org/misc/MediaLaw/LHLeiImprensa29MaiuTe.pdf , 
with an English translation at www.laohamutuk.org/misc/MediaLaw/LHLeiImprensa29MaiuEn.pdf . 
More information and analysis, including texts and translations of versions of the law, are at http://www.laohamutuk.org/misc/MediaLaw/14MediaLaw.htm .

ETAN supports the letter, and Lao Hamutuk welcomes additional endorsements for this letter, especially from organizations, and will provide a supplemental list to the President next week. Write us and we will forward the endorsements.

Timorese Journalist José Belo protests media law at a seminar in Dili.
Photo: Jornal Independente