Santa Cruz massacre 21 years on

A day late, but we were busy distributing ETAN's media release on the Santa Cruz massacre anniversary.

Here is the link to ETAN's release: http://etan.org/news/2012/11scruz.htm and an excerpt:

"As the latest UN mission ends, promises of justice remain unfulfilled," said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of ETAN. "The UN should state clearly that there can be no impunity for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Indonesia's invasion and occupation of Timor-Leste from 1975-1999." 

"The East Timorese people can not fully overcome their past until they know the fate of the bodies of their relatives and friends," said Miller. "Impunity for decades of systematic Indonesian military and police atrocities prevents both countries from consolidating the rule of law as they transition from  military dictatorship do democracy." 

2012 commemoration of Santa Cruz massacre, Dili.
 Photo by Manuela Leong Pereira via Facebook

 ANTI (Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal) and Amnesty International issued a joint statement. The groups concluded:

Together, ANTI and Amnesty International demand that the UN and the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia take responsibility to ensure justice for crimes against humanity and human rights violations which took place in Timor-Leste between 1975 and 1999. They must ensure that victims of the Santa Cruz massacre, and all those who suffered during the Indonesian occupation and in the context of the 1999 independence referendum, have access to justice, truth and reparation. Continued inaction will further entrench a culture of impunity, and leave a dark stain on the UN's record in Timor-Leste.

Allan Nairn speaks on East Timor, Indonesia, ETAN, Occupy Wall Street and more

Allan Nairn at OccupyWall Street's ThinkTank. Photo by John M. Miller/ETAN

Journalist/Activist Allan Nairn's reporting has been crucial in exposing U.S. complicity with human rights and war crimes by Indonesia's security forces. He has forcefully urged that U.S. officials be held accountable for their crimes against humanity.

On November 12, 1991, Nairn with Amy Goodman witnessed the Santa Cruz massacre in Dili, the capitol of East Timor. Nairn was beaten and had his skull cracked. Their reports of the massacre inspired the founding of ETAN, and Nairn has served as a key advisor to ETAN and was a member of its Steering Committee. 

In January, Nairn spoke about the successful movement to support East Timor's self-determination and restrict U.S. military assistance to Indonesia  and its significance for Occupy Wall Street and today's global movements for justice.

On January 5, Nairn spoke at an event organized by ETAN. On January 9, he spoke at an event organized by OccupyWallStreet Think Tank.

View the video of the two talks here.

Announcing the ETAN 20th Anniversary Graphics Contest

Update: NEW DEADLINE

Read the announcement in English here 

ETAN Fo Sai Konkursu Dezeniu ba ETAN nia Aniversáriu Rua Nulu (20) nian