Timor-Leste Association of Ex-Political Prisoners and Klibur Solidariedade send congratulations and solidarity to Palestinian Political Prisoners

Activists in Timor-Leste have long felt a strong connection and sought to offer solidarity to the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, peace and human dignity. Human rights and student groups have organized seminars, rallies, candlelight vigils and solidarity statements to support peace and justice in Palestine. After receiving an international call to celebrate the success of a 40-day hunger strike by Palestinian political prisoners, Timorese human rights activists contacted the Timor-Leste Association of Ex-Political Prisoners. Together, they drafted the following statement, which they released on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Tetun Komunikadu Imprensa below

Press Release

The Timor-Leste Association of Ex-Political Prisoners and

Klibur Solidariedade (Solidarity Association)

send congratulations and solidarity to Palestinian Political Prisoners

Date: 6 June 2017

Contact:  Jacinto Alves (Tetun, Portugés, English), Assepol, ira.sequira@gmail.com,

               Celestino Gusmão (Tetun, Indonesian), maubere81@gmail.com,

                   Pamela Sexton (English, Tetun), pamelabeth.sexton@gmail.com

                   Nug Katjasungkana (Indonesian, Tetun, English), nengahmetra@gmail.com

We congratulate the 1,500 Palestinian Political Prisoners (men, women and children) who, through their 40-day collective hunger strike, have secured basic rights which had been systematically denied them by Israel. We celebrate the courage and commitment of your collective action; we celebrate your success.

As we celebrate, we also declare our solidarity and call attention to the long and continuing struggle for freedom, equality, self-determination and basic human rights of the Palestinian people. Our national history teaches us that when faced with occupation, oppression, and injustice, there is no choice but to resist. “To resist is to win.”

Many of us are ex-political prisoners, jailed by Indonesia because we refused to simply accept an illegal occupation of our land. During Indonesia’s brutal occupation, we stood up to military violence and human rights abuses; we stood up against an international order oriented to U.S. corporate interests and militarism. We stood up for the dignity of ourselves, our families and our communities. We stood up for our vision of peace and justice, now and in the future. We encourage political prisoners and wish to tell you that many times, our struggle for a noble cause demands sacrifice and determination. We must believe that the truth will win and will bring happiness to many people. All of your sacrifices will be acknowledged; tudo vale a pena (‘everything is worth the effort’). 

Today, as we celebrate with you, we also stand against the widespread detention of Palestinians for defending their basic rights. According to the NGO Palestinian Prisoner’s Club, there are now 6500 Palestinian political prisoners, including 300 children. We stand against the continuing role of the US as a major supporter of militarism and occupation. We stand for against the denial of Palestinian’s basic rights by Israel. We stand for Palestinian’s rights to clear water, safe shelter, food, and basic social services, equality before the law. “A luta continua.” The struggle continues.

The Timor-Leste Association of Ex-Political Prisoners first formed during Indonesia's illegal occupation, during which systematic arbitrary detention of East Timorese civilians was routine security practice.

Klibur Solidadariedade was formed was formed by Timorese and international solidarity activists in 2009, on the 10^th anniversary of Timor-Leste's historic referendum on independence.

21 January 2009 demontration of solidarity at Democracy Field, Dili, Timor-Leste

Jose Ramos-Horta: Support ETAN today!

DONATE here

Dear friend of my beloved country,

Timor-Leste recently celebrated the 41st anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, a right and a dream that was finally realized in 2002. For the last quarter-century of our journey, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) has been among our most effective and consistent supporters. Their solidarity has been exemplary, beginning during the brutal, difficult depths of the illegal Indonesian military occupation and continuing through the economic and political challenges we face today as a 14-year-old, post-conflict, post-colonial, sovereign nation.

Twenty-five years ago, a month after Indonesian troops brutally massacred young, nonviolent Timorese protesters at Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, peace and justice activists organized a peaceful vigil in front of the Indonesian Mission to the United Nations. With participation from people around the United States, that quickly grew into a national organization which, by 1999, had 12,000 members in 28 local chapters.  Their protests and lobbying of the U.S. government and the United Nations were a vital element in enabling my people to vote in a UN-supervised referendum. As you know, Indonesian efforts to intimidate us failed, and the overwhelming mandate for independence led to Timor-Leste becoming the first new sovereign nation of the 21st century.

Without solidarity from international friends like ETAN, Timor-Leste’s dream of independence would not have become a reality.

Before the referendum, I served as Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister in exile, lobbying decision makers all over the world for my people’s right to self-determination. Although ETAN always acted independently, we collaborated closely to encourage the U.S. government to abandon its diplomatic and military support for the Suharto dictatorship’s illegal occupation.

Since 2002, I have been the Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. As I evolved from diplomat-in-exile to Head of State, ETAN maintained their solidarity with my people. In government, I had to make difficult decisions concerning past crimes in the interests of better relations with post-Suharto Indonesia, our largest neighbor and biggest trading partner.  Although ETAN and I sometimes have different views on issues like accountability for past crimes and self-determination for West Papua, I know that their positions are based on principle, and I admire and respect their tenacity.

For the last five years, I have worked to improve the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping worldwide. I have helped Guinea-Bissau and other conflict-affected countries strive for the peace and human rights that the people of Timor-Leste are finally able to enjoy. I know how unusual – and how important – it is for people living under repression and conflict to have reliable, committed supporters in places like the United States.

 DONATE HERE 

Timor-Leste never attracted widespread popular attention in the United States, even during the peak of our struggle against violent occupation. Since the killing ended, we have become a “normal” country, and U.S. government policy now respects the rights of my people. It is even more difficult to get Americans to care about a small nation on the other side of the world, which is why ETAN’s work continues to be essential.

ETAN's John M. Miller and Charles Scheiner with Jose Ramos-Horta in Dili, May 21, 2012. Photo by ETAN.

ETAN’s email list is an invaluable source of information, from a variety of perspectives, for more than 4,600 people around the globe. Their steadfast support for resolving permanent maritime boundaries with our neighbors, especially Australia, continues the international solidarity that was crucial to achieving sovereignty over Timor-Leste’s land territory.  As we evolve from a petroleum-export-dependent nation to one whose economy is based on our own resources and labor, ETAN’s support and encouragement continue to be irreplaceable.

In 2012, on the 10th anniversary of the restoration of our independence, I was pleased to join in awarding both ETAN and its co-founder Charles Scheiner with the Ordem de Timor-Leste for their support for our liberation.

ETAN's actions and campaigns have always been based on the interests of the people, developed after consulting our civil society. Although ETAN’s annual budget is smaller than virtually every other international organization involved with our country, the work that they do is invaluable.

ETAN is an exceptional organization, and their continuing support for the people of my country needs your help. I recently made a sizeable donation to ETAN, and I hope you will also do so.

Sincerely,

José Ramos-Horta

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

ETAN Urges Justice for Victims of the Santa Cruz Massacre on 25thAnniversary

http://etan.org/news/2016/11scruz.htm

Contact: John M. Miller, National Coordinator, ETAN
john@etan.org; +1-917-690-4391

ETAN Urges Justice for Victims of the Santa Cruz Massacre on 25^thAnniversary

Photo by Steve Cox, Generations of Resistance: East Timor

November 2016 - On the 25^th anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) urges the international community to commit to ending impunity for the human rights crimes committed during the occupation of Timor-Leste.  

"The victims of the Santa Cruz massacre have waited too long for justice," said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of ETAN. “Those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Indonesia’s illegal occupation need to be held accountable for their crimes.” 

"We believed that an international tribunal is needed to credibly try those responsible for the Santa Cruz massacre and other crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by Indonesia during its illegal occupation of Timor-Leste," Miller added. 

The victims of the Santa Cruz massacre have waited too long for justice. Those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Indonesia’s illegal occupation need to be held accountable for their crimes.

On November 12, 1991, U.S-armed Indonesian troops opened fire on a peaceful pro-independence demonstration calling for self-determination and protesting atrocities committed by the Indonesian military. More than 271 East Timorese were killed or died soon after and an equal number disappeared and are believed to be dead. 

The 1991 massacre -- witnessed and filmed by foreign journalists -- was a major turning point in Timor-Leste's struggle for liberation. 

During more than two decades of U.S.-backed occupation, Indonesian soldiers committed serious crimes with impunity, taking as many as 184,000 Timorese lives and torturing, raping, and displacing countless others. Timor-Leste became independent in 2002.

"The East Timorese people will need to know the where  the bodies of their relatives and friends are," said Miller. "Impunity for decades of systematic Indonesian military and police atrocities prevents both Timor-Leste and Indonesia from consolidating the rule of law as they transition from military dictatorship to democracy." 

While some deeply flawed processes have prosecuted some involved in crimes committed in 1999, those responsible for giving the orders to torture, rape, and kill have yet to be brought to justice. Those from countries such as the United States, Britain, and Australia that actively aided in these crimes by providing weapons, training, and political support have yet to be held accountable.

ETAN continues to call on President Joko Widodo to fulfill his campaign promise to address human rights violations committed during and after the Suharto dictatorship, including by establishing credible judicial processes to investigate killings like the Santa Cruz massacre. 

For more on the Santa Cruz massacre see ETAN’s backgrounder here:http://etan.org/factsheets/santa_cruz.htm

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) was founded in 199 following the Santa Cruz massacre. ETAN supports democracy, human rights and justice in Timor-Leste, West Papua and Indonesia. Website: www.etan.org Twitter: @etan009.

Jokowi: War criminal Wiranto is not fit to be Indonesia coordinating minister

Graphic via LBH Jakarta

Indonesian President Jokowi has abandoned all pretense to concern about accountability and justice for human rights crimes. Sign ETAN's petition opposing Wiranto as coordinating minister. 

On July 27, 2016, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo appointed indicted war criminal Gen. Wiranto Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Affairs. A presidential spokesperson told the Jakarta Post that Wiranto "well-tested and was experienced in resolving various assignments, especially during the transition period from the New Order to the Reform era in the late 1990s." In 2003, he was indicted by a UN-backed court for his role in the security -force violence during Timor-Leste's independence referendum.

Wiranto is responsible through acts of omission and commission for the gravest violations of human right in East Timor and Indonesia.  Read more here.

See also statement by ETAN, Tapol, Watch Indonesia!: Appointment of General  Wiranto as Minister confirms the deep-rooted impunity in Indonesia

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

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?'"

Problem with ETAN's east-timor listserv

Problem with ETAN's east-timor listserv
We recently had a problem with our east-timor e-mail listserv. If you were on the list and haven't received anything recently, send us an e-mail. If you want to know more about this and other ETAN's e-mail list go here.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, USINDO founder Edward E. Masters dies

Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia and USINDO Society founder Edward E. Masters died on March 21, 2014.

Below is an excerpt from an ETAN leaflet handed out at a USINDO event after Suharto died. ( Amb. Masters called the leaflet 'scurillous.' Not one panelist (all former U.S. ambassadors to Indonesia) mentioned Suharto's rights record until asked about it in the question period.

The U.S.-Indonesia Society was founded in 1994 with funding from major U.S. corporations with significant investments in Indonesia to counter the deservedly bad rep Suharto's Indonesia had developed in Washington in the after the Santa Cruz massacre in Dili. In the same leaflet, we wrote that "While USINDO has consistently denied its role as an Indonesian lobby, it has in reality been Indonesia's most outspoken apologist in Washington."

USINDO's announcement of Amb. Masters death can be found here.

Photo from USINDO Society

2013 Timor-Leste Update Conference

2013 Timor-Leste Update Follow Up - IPS - ANU

Amb. Abel Guterres and Agio Pereira (Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers) on left. Ruth Nuttall (ANU) at the podium.

The 2013 Timor-Leste Update was the first to be held at the ANU and brought together leading and emerging scholars and policy analysts working on Timor-Leste to reflect critically on the prospects and challenges for the nation over the next 5-10 years. The main objective of the Update was to contribute to Australia's knowledge of, and engagement with Timor-Leste, by providing a public forum to discuss recent developments in Timor-Leste. The Update also aimed to strengthen relationships between scholars, government agencies, civil society organisations and research institutions working on Timor-Leste and to help build the profile and capacity of East Timorese researchers and policy analysts.

The 2013 Timor-Leste Update was hosted by the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program at the ANU, with funding from the ANU’s Research School of Asia and the Pacific, and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and it is hoped that the Timor-Leste Update will become a biennial event.

Click on the links below to access all the outputs and related material from the 2013 Timor-Leste Update:

• 2013 Timor-Leste Update - Podcast Series: Audio recordings of key sessions
• 2013 Timor-Leste Update - Participant Presentations
• 2013 Timor-Leste Update - Program
• Keynote Address - 'Peace and Prosperity', Agio Pereira, Timo-Leste Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers
• Video Interview  - Dr Lia Kent on the key aims of the 2013 Timor-Leste Update
• Press Coverage - 'Widening gulf a peril for the two East Timors', Sydney Morning Herald, 28 November 2013

Related Publications

• 'In Timor, a new house does not make a home', Joanne Wallis and Pyone Myat Thu.
• 'The Australian Seasonal Workers Program: Timor-Leste's case', SSGM In Brief 2013/13

Speakers included: Agio Pereira (Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers), Fidelis Magalhaes (Chief of Staff, Presidency of the Republic of Timor-Leste), Charles Scheiner (La’o Hamutuk); Meabh Cryan (Rede ba Rai); Ines Martins (La’o Hamutuk); Nelson Belo (Fundasaun Mahein); Catharina Maria; Jose Neves (Deputy, Anti-Corruption Commission Timor-Leste); Lurdes Bessa (Member of Parliament, Timor-Leste); Laura Soares Abrantes (Asia Pacific Support Collective Timor-Leste); Lia Kent (ANU);Sue Ingram (ANU); Michael Leach (Swinburne University), Gordon Peake (ANU) and more.

Panel on Sub-national development.

'via Blog this'

Mandela, Indonesia and the liberation of Timor Leste

Nelson Mandela took on Suharto in his own house. He demanded to meet with imprisoned East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao during a 1997 visit to Jakarta. Mandela insisted that the meeting take place outside the prison.

From Mandela, Indonesia and the liberation of Timor Leste | The Jakarta Post:

"Unlike many, Mandela remains loyal to the principles of Bandung that included the right to self-determination. Indeed, contrary to leaders of Indonesia’s New Order, he threw his full weight behind the liberation of Timor Leste."

"The defining moments for Mandela and Xanana were at the expense, slowly but surely, of Soeharto." 

ETAN on anniversary of Santa Cruz massacre

November 12 is the 22nd anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre. On November 12, 1991, Indonesian troops opened fire on a memorial procession - turned into a peaceful pro-independence demonstration - at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. More than 270 mostly-young Timorese were murdered.

As we have often noted, the media coverage of the massacre was a key turning point in Timor's long struggle for independence. It led to the founding of ETAN and similar groups, energize UN and Portuguese diplomacy, and led to some sanctions on Indonesia. In the U.S., ETAN built on the initial cut-off of military training for the Indonesian military. Eventually, all military assistance was cut off in 1999 as Indonesian troops and militia ransacked the Timor in the aftermath of the historic vote that led to independence.

On the 20th anniversary of the massacre ETAN observed that:

"While Timor-Leste is now independent, its people will not be able to overcome their tragic past without knowing what was done with their relatives’ and friends’ bodies. Ongoing impunity for decades of systematic Indonesian military and police atrocities keeps the East Timorese and Indonesian people from consolidating their democracies and moving on with their lives."

Much remains to be done. A year ago, we noted that:

"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."

We continued to to urge the U.S. Congress and the Obama administration to respond to the recommendations of Timor-Leste's Commission for Truth, Reception and Reconciliation, especially "its calls for an international tribunal to try perpetrators of crimes against humanity during the Indonesian occupation, reparations from Indonesia and other countries that supported the occupation, and restrictions on foreign assistance to the Indonesian military."

And we urged the U.S. and others to press Indonesia "to immediately release all information that can help identify and locate those who were killed or disappeared during the occupation,."

For more information on the massacre see http://etan.org/timor/SntaCRUZ.htm. ETAN on the web: http://www.etan.org. Twitter: etan009

La'o Hamutuk presentations online

Trainings and presentations by La'o Hamutuk/Treinamentu no aprezentasaun sira are now available online. You can download them from their website. Topics include Rights and Sustainability in Timor-Leste's Development; Sources of information in Timor-Leste; the Impact of Veterans Pensions; and the Implications of Terminating the CMATS Treaty with Australia.



La'o Hamutuk has also just published a new edition of its Reference DVD-ROM (also Tetum) containing four gigabytes of information from its website and blog, as well as downloads of key government websites and  reports about Timor-Leste, the region and the world.

In the U.S.? Watch Alias Ruby Blade Online - One week only!

Alias Ruby Blade: A Story of Love and Revolution tells the tale of Kirsty Sword Gusmao as a young Australian activist who adopts the alias Ruby Blade while working for the underground Timorese resistance in Indonesia. It is currently showing during the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC.

You will need to create a Tribeca account and log in you can watch three Tribeca Film Festival  2013 feature films and four short films.

Then go to http://www.tribecafilm.com/online/competitions/film/513238201c7d76a6bb000084-alias-ruby-blade-a-story- . 

All films expire at 11:59 pm on April 28.

Please note: All TFF features and shorts are restricted to viewers in the United States only.

SYNOPSIS of Alias Ruby Blade

Veteran documentary editor and producer Alex Meillier takes a turn in the director’s chair to tell the remarkable story of documentarian-turned-activist Kirsty Sword Gusmão. Beginning with only a simple curiosity in the islands to the north of her native Australia, she becomes a forceful advocate for the tiny nation of Timor-Leste and a lynchpin in its harrowing, decade-long struggle for independence. Meillier turns Gusmão and her team’s firsthand footage of the revolution into an insider’s guide to the personalities and secret networks that kept it alive. Along the way, we meet the charismatic leader of the resistance, Xanana, whose relationship with Kirsty would redefine the cause for which they both were fighting. 

Alias Ruby Blade is an engaging portrait of a revolution with deep resonance in the events of the Arab Spring. By focusing his film on the movement’s most unlikely member, who in turn becomes one of its most indispensable agents, Meillier gives a personal edge to the individual sacrifices and courage needed to create a new democracy in modern times.  ­Arthur Ryel-Lindsey for Tribeca Film Festival

more info www.aliasrubyblade.com

2012 | 78 minutes | Documentary Feature

For details about upcoming showings in the New York-area at the Tribeca Film Festival and Montclair Film Festival go to http://etanaction.blogspot.com/2013/04/nyc-showings-of-alias-ruby-blade-story.html

______________________________________________________________________

Copies of Kirsty Sword Gusmao's book, Woman of Independence, are available from ETAN. http://etan.org/resource/books.htm#B47Copies of Kirsty Sword Gusmao's book, Woman of Independence, are available from ETAN. http://etan.org/resource/books.htm#B47

NYC showings of Alias Ruby Blade: A Story of Love and Revolution

UPDATE 2: Watch Alias Ruby Blade online - one week only (until April 28). Details here

UPDATE: Alias Ruby Blade is also showing at the Montclair (NJ) Film Festival, Saturday, May 4, 2013, 1 pm. Also showing is the Act of Killing, the widely acclaimed documentary about the killings in 1965-66 Indonesia: Sunday, May 5, 6:15 pm.  

http://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/513238201c7d76a6bb000084-alias-ruby-blade-a-story-

Alias Ruby Blade:
A Story of Love and Revolution

SCREENINGS

FRI     4/19    8:30 PM AMC Loews Village 7 - 3        
 BUY TICKETS
SAT     4/20    4:00 PM AMC Loews Village 7 - 2       
 BUY TICKETS
TUE     4/23    3:30 PM Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 6 
 BUY TICKETS
SAT     4/27    3:00 PM AMC Loews Village 7 - 1      
 BUY TICKETS

Q and A with Director Alex Meillier after all screenings.

SYNOPSIS

Veteran documentary editor and producer Alex Meillier takes a turn in the director’s chair to tell the remarkable story of documentarian-turned-activist Kirsty Sword Gusmão. Beginning with only a simple curiosity in the islands to the north of her native Australia, she becomes a forceful advocate for the tiny nation of Timor-Leste and a lynchpin in its harrowing, decade-long struggle for independence. Meillier turns Gusmão and her team’s firsthand footage of the revolution into an insider’s guide to the personalities and secret networks that kept it alive. Along the way, we meet the charismatic leader of the resistance, Xanana, whose relationship with Kirsty would redefine the cause for which they both were fighting.

Alias Ruby Blade is an engaging portrait of a revolution with deep resonance in the events of the Arab Spring. By focusing his film on the movement’s most unlikely member, who in turn becomes one of its most indispensable agents, Meillier gives a personal edge to the individual sacrifices and courage needed to create a new democracy in modern times.   --Arthur Ryel-Lindsey

Program: World Documentary Competition

2012 | 78 minutes | Documentary Feature

Directed by: Alex Meillier
Premiere: North American
Cinematographer Shane Sigler
Cast Kirsty Sword Gusmão, Xanana Gusmão, José Ramos-Horta
Director Alex Meillier
Screenwriter Tanya Ager Meillier, Alex Meillier
Producer Tanya Ager Meillier, Richard Keddie
Editor Tanya Ager Meillier, Alex Meillier
Director of Photography Shane Sigler
Executive Producer Abigail E. Disney, Gini Reticker, Silvio Salom
Composer Paul Brill

Film website: www.aliasrubyblade.com





Copies of Kirsty Sword Gusmao's book, Woman of Independence, are available from ETAN. http://etan.org/resource/books.htm#B47

West Papua Report - January 2012

West Papua Report January 2013

The 105th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting West 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 with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com. If you wish to receive the report directly via e-mail, send a note to etan@etan.org. For additional news on West Papua see the reg.westpapua listserv archive or on Twitter.

CONTENTS

This edition's PERSPECTIVE discusses Indonesian presidential aspirant Lt. General (ret) Prabowo dark role in West Papua's past. In the UPDATE section, we review the Indonesian security forces' expanding campaign of violence targeting self-determination advocates associated with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB). We also summarize the implications for human rights of the proposed new "anti-terrorism" law and describe the continuing destruction of pristine forests throughout the Indonesian archipelago. In CHRONICLE: a new Asian Human Rights Commission "alert" about police violence in West Papua, a report by the Alliance of Independent Journalists regarding the rise of threats and violence against journalists, and the Australia West Papua Association Sydney's review of human rights developments in West Papua. This edition also highlights a critique of the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate project (MIFEE) by Indigenous Peoples Organization of Bian Enim.

Read the full issue here


See also West Papua Advocacy Team Urges Unrestricted Visit by UN Special Rapporteur

Support East Timorese Marathoners in NYC

UPDATE:  The East Timorese runners were unable to make it to New York in time for the marathon, which ended up being cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. ETAN will not be organizing cheering this year, but we look forward to doing so next year. 


----

Sunday, November 4, 2011Support East Timorese Marathoners

Once again, two of Timor-Leste's top long-distance runners are participating in the New York City Marathon on November 4.

And once again, ETAN will be cheering them on!

Meet at the southwest corner of 4th Ave. and Bergen St. in Brooklyn at 10 am. to wave Timor flags, carry supportive signs (make and bring one if you can), and otherwise show our support for the runners. Don't forget to change your clocks the night before to end daylight savings.

Later in the day, we plan to move to a spot near the finish line along Central Park South.

For more information or contact etan@etan.org, 917-690-4391

More details and updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/488797407806709/ or 

ETAN's website http://www.etan.org/news/calendar.htm#New_York,_NY_ 

Nearest subway is Atlantic Avenue: D, N, R, 2, 3, 4, 5, B, Q

About the Timorese runners:

Zeferino Guterres Magalhaes is from Viqueque, but currently lives in Liquica with his wife. He is 34 years old, and ran a time of 2h36m at the SEA games last year. Zeferino has consistently been in the top three of the Dili Marathon, but was unable to finish this year. However Calisto (who ran in last year's NYC marathon) and won the Dili event has now retired as an athlete and become a trainer. As he had already been to New York, he is happy for Zeferino to represent Timor-Leste.

Marquita dos Santos is from Lospalos and studying at Nino Konis Santana Senior High School in Lospalos. She is 18 years old and has been running since 2009. She participated 3 Km in Arafura games winning third place. She placed fourth in SEA games in 5 km. She speaks Indonesia and understand a little English and Portuguese. She lives with her parents in Lospalos.

see here for information about Timorese runners in last year's marathon

What does Timor-Leste need after UNMIT?

RSVP on Facebook

Adapted from http://laohamutuk.blogspot.com/2012/10/public-mtg-what-does-tl-need-after-unmit.html

Tetum iha kraik.  You can download this invitation in English and Tetum from http://www.laohamutuk.org/reports/UN/KonviteEnkPub23Oct2012.pdf .
 
La’o Hamutuk Public Meeting
What does Timor-Leste need from the International Community after UNMIT’s mandate ends?

Tuesday 23 October 2012.    9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dili University (UNDIL), Mascarenhas, Dili
Uphill from the Alola Foundation, across from the former CNE office

La’o Hamutuk invites the public to participate in a discussion about the mandate of UNMIT in Timor-Leste which will finish this December.

During the mandates of the UN in Timor-Leste since 1999, UN assistance has helped achieve some good results, such as the creation of a democratic state under rule of law, with peace and security. Unfortunately UNMIT has not yet implemented some important commitments, including ending impunity for crimes against humanity committed during the Indonesian occupation. In addition, the UN and the State of Timor-Leste have not yet chosen a sustainable and inclusive development path.

The people of Timor-Leste, together with our leaders, must take responsibility for these gaps after UNMIT leaves.

Speakers: 

• Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Shigeru Mochida: Reflections on the successes of UN missions in Timor-Leste and what remains to be achieved 
• RDTL Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Luis Guterres: Reflections on hopes for what the UN Missions were not able to do during their time in Timór-Leste 
• Representative, ETAN, Jill Sternberg: International solidarity from ETAN now and in the future after UNMIT ends 
• Director, Fundasaun Mahein, Nelson Belo: The Security Sector after UNMIT’s mandate finishes 
• Researcher, La’o Hamutuk, Inês Martins: Sustainable development after UNMIT finishes 

This public meeting will be in Tetum and English. We are grateful for your attention and participation.

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

Enkontru públiku La’o Hamutuk nian
Saida mak Timór-Leste presiza husi Komunidade Internasionál hafoin mandatu UNMIT remata?
Tersa feira 23 Outubru 2012,  tuku 09:00 dadeer to’o 01:00 lokraik
Fatin: Universidade Dili (UNDIL) Maskariñas, Dili
Fundasaun Alola nia leten ba, Ex. Edifísiu CNE nia oin

La’o Hamutuk konvida públiku atu mai partisipa diskusaun relasiona ho mandatu UNMIT iha Timór-Leste nia ne’ebé sei remata iha fulan Dezembru tinan ida ne’e.

Durante mandatu Nasoins Unidas iha Timór-Leste dezde 1999, ONU nia asisténsia ajuda atinje rezultadu balu di’ak, hanesan kriasaun estadu direitu demokrátiku, ho dame no seguransa. Infelizmente, UNMIT seidauk implementa kompromisu importante balun, inklui hakotu impunidade husi krime kontra umanidade ne’ebé akontese durante okupasaun Indonézia. Ida seluk, UN no estadu Timór-Leste seidauk hili polítika ba dezenvolvimentu ho diresaun ida ne’ebé sustentável no inklusivu.

Lakuna hirak ne’e povu Timór-Leste hamutuk ho nia ukun na’in sira mak tenke simu responsabilidade hafoin UNMIT sai.

Oradór sira:

• Vice-Reprezentante Espesiál Sekretáriu Jerál ONU, Shigeru Mochida: Reflesaun kona ba susesu ne’ebé Misaun ONU halo iha Timór-Leste no saida mak seidauk atinje 
• Ministru Negósiu Estranjeiru, RDTL nian José Luis Guterres: Reflesaun kona ba esperansa ba buat ne’ebé misaun ONU la konsege halo durante nia misaun iha Timór-Leste 
• Reprezentante ETAN, Jill Sternberg: Solidariedade Internasionál husi ETAN agora no ba futuru hafoin UNMIT remata 
• Diretór Fundasaun Mahein, Nelson Belo: Analiza setór seguransa hafoin mandatu UNMIT remata 
• Peskizadór La’o Hamutuk, Inês Martins: Dezenvolvimentu sustentável hafoin misaun UNMIT remata 

Enkontru públiku ne’e la’o iha lian Tetum no Inglés. Mak ne’e de’it ami nia konvite ba ita boot sira nia atensaun no partisipasaun la haluha hato’o obrigadu barak.