ETAN is interested in learning the impact of President Trump/ Secretary of State Rubio's freeze on U.S. foreign aid:

How is it affecting projects in Timor-Leste, West Papua or Indonesia? 

Have funds been cut or clawed back? 

Have project have to have been delayed, abandoned? 

Local or international staff laid off? Hiring delayed? 

Lives endangered?

Feel free to respond to this post. If you wish or need to remain anonymous respond by DM, or email etan@etan.org or message via WhatsApp (19176904391). We will strip identifying info and summarize for all.

Thanks,

John for ETAN

Yes, I support ETAN!

Henry Kissinger Dies at 100: Greenlit Invasion and Illegally Provided Weapons to Indonesia

From The Guardian:

Henry Kissinger, the former secretary of state under Richard Nixon who became one of the most prominent and controversial figures of US foreign policy in the 20th century, has died. He was 100....

[H]his legacy was also defined by his contempt for human rights and efforts to protect US corporate interests at all costs, with opponents across the world casting him as a war criminal. He supported Indonesia’s military dictator in the invasion of East Timor, backed the invasion of Angola by the apartheid regime in South Africa and worked with the CIA to overthrow the democratically-elected president of Chile. He also authorized wiretaps of reporters and his own staff.

---

“The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a bit longer.” - Kissinger

From ETAN: About Kissinger: The United States’ most notorious living war criminal

Kissinger geopolitical scheming in the Indonesian archipelago had particularly dire consequences for the peoples there. In 1969, the U.S. conspired with the Indonesian dictator Suharto to facilitate the illegal annexation of West Papua through a transparently bogus propaganda exercise known as the "Act of Free Choice." U.S. behind-the-scenes support at the United Nations for this undemocratic farce was essential to solidifying the Indonesian dictatorship's control of West Papua and the more than four decades of genocidal policies which have decimated the Papuan population.

Under Kissinger's direction, the U.S. gave a greenlight to the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor (now Timor-Leste) which ushered in a 24-year brutal occupation by the Suharto dictatorship. The Indonesian occupation of East Timor and West Papua was enabled by U.S. weapons and training. This illegal flow of weapons contravened congressional intent, yet Kissinger bragged about his ability to continue arms shipments to Suharto (“The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a bit longer.”) These weapons were essential to the Indonesian dictator's consolidation of military control in both East Timor and West Papua, and these occupations cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Timorese and Papuan civilians. Kissinger’s policy toward West Papua allowed for the U.S.-based multinational corporation Freeport McMoRan to pursue its mining interests in the region, which has resulted in terrible human rights and environmental abuses; Kissinger was rewarded with a seat on the Board of Directors from 1995-2001.

see more here: More on Kissinger, his record and the protests against him 

Human rights violator former Gen. Prabowo is a leading candidate in Indonesia's Presidential election

Former Gen. Prabowo - serial human rights violator - is a leading candidate in Indonesia's Presidential election this coming February.

Read what ETAN and ANTI have to say about his abysmal human rights record.

ANTI: We strongly oppose impunity: We strongly oppose Prabowo Subianto that has been accused of serious crimes returning to power

"The facts show that during the Suharto regime Prabowo Subianto was involved in a series of serious crimes and human rights violations in Timor-Leste such as the massacre that occurred in 1983 in Viqueque which is known as the Kraras incident with 200 victims losing their lives. This town was known as the “town of widows” because many of the husbands of the victims were massacred in this bloody incident."

ETAN Backgrounder on Prabowo

"Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbard described Prabowo as 'somebody who is perhaps the greatest violator of human rights in contemporary times among the Indonesian military. His deeds in the late 1990s before democracy took hold, were shocking, even by TNI standards.'"

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

Indonesia needs, Prabowo said, "a benign authoritarian regime." He said the many ethnicities and religions precluded democracy.!"... "Do I have the guts," Prabowo asked, "am I ready to be called a fascist dictator?" "[Pakistan's General Pervez] Musharraf had the guts, " Prabowo said.

 

 

Please support ETAN in the New Year!

Read our appeal here: http://www.etan.org/appeal_2021-22.htm 

SUPPORT ETAN Now! 

Support ETAN and our work for justice, human rights and democracy. Please donate today!

In our 30th year, with your help, we can intensify our pursuit of justice for the many victims of Indonesia's security forces crimes, from the coup in 1965 that brought the dictator Suharto to power, through the illegal invasion and occupation of Timor-Leste to the ongoing human rights violations against West Papuans. We need your help in keeping up the pressure on the U.S. government to acknowledge its role in arming and training the perpetrators of these crimes.

Recent Statements by ETAN on Myanmar, LGBTIQ+ Pride in Timor and the Life and Death of Carmel Budiardjo

ETAN Honors LGBTIQ+ Pride in Timor-Leste

ETAN Celebrates the Life of Carmel Budiardjo,  Mourns  Her Passing

ETAN Calls for End to Military Coup and Repression in Myanmar

New report from Allan Nairn on Prabowo's post-election plan to betray allies, democracy

New from Allan Nairn

Breaking News: Prabowo strategy session planned mass arrests of political opponents, Islamist allies; behind-the-scenes effort to please US includes Prabowo order to kill lawsuit v Freeport-McMoRan, pledge to "crush" FPI, HTI, PKS; SBY's Demokrats also targeted; plan to return Army to "New Order" role

Prabowo Subianto, a retired general now seeking the presidency of Indonesia, has made plans to stage mass arrests of political opponents and his current allies.
According to minutes of a strategy session he held with fellow generals and others last December, Prabowo — a longtime US protege who has been implicated in mass killing,abduction, and torture, has also made plans to restore Indonesia’s army to the role it played in the Suharto dictatorship.
 [For full scrollable text of Minutes see link, and bottom of this piece]
At the meeting, held last December 21 at a Prabowo home in Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, he and his team made specific assignments for "putting on trial as many political opponents as possible," but also for "crippling" the Islamist groups that now propel his campaign, after he assumes the presidency.

Read the full article here:  https://www.allannairn.org/2019/04/breaking-news-prabowo-strategy-session.html

Support ETAN! Donate Today!

ETAN is an incredible organization. It was an important part of our struggle for self-determination, struggle for the permanent Maritime Boundary with Australia, and during the last 19 years, it has been part of Timorese struggle to reconstruct and to rebuild its country. At this critical juncture of Timor's development, it is critical to walk together with Timorese to achieve our dream for better life where every citizen has the conditions to meet its basic rights, including the economic and social rights to have a dignified life. --Gute Neves

Dear friend of ETAN,

We write to urge you to support the work of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network for the coming year. We are an organization funded almost entirely by the grassroots; we rely on you - and others like you - for support.

ETAN is the only solidarity group which carries the mantle of upholding the rights of the people of Timor-Leste and Indonesia, working persistently and fearlessly to hold the world's governments, especially the United States, to account for complicity in rights violations. -- Mica Barreto Soares

ETAN has worked since 1991 to advance self-determination, democracy, and human rights for the peoples of Timor-Leste (East Timor), Indonesia and West Papua -- work that remains necessary. Please help us continue the struggle for justice by contributing to ETAN today.

There are exciting changes at ETAN: During this past year, we welcomed an impressive group of activists to our board. We are working with them to reinvigorate ETAN’s activism.

...

With your support, ETAN continues to inform, educate, advocate, and organize in support of the Timorese, Indonesia and West Papuan peoples’ fundamental rights, including democratic governance, adequate nutrition and decent health care, and freedom of expression. We amplify their concerns and voices for a global. audience.

Read the full appeal here

Invest in Justice! Give to ETAN on #GivingTuesday Why wait for the end of the year to invest in justice? Don't delay. donate to ETAN today! #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media.  Dear Friend of ETAN, Your contribution supports ETAN's ongoing support for the  campaign of  government and people of Timor-Leste to establish maritime boundaries with its neighbors. Legally-recognized boundaries would end Australia's theft of Timor's resources and bring to a close the independence struggle that  began more than 40 years ago. In March, we conducted a successful online campaign calling on Australia to negotiate maritime boundaries now. This was in association with demonstrations in Dili, throughout Australia and elsewhere. Your gift will help maintain and strengthen ETAN's crucial information sharing via email and on social media. So many people, perhaps including you, depend us to keep them informed about important news about Timor-Leste, Indonesia and West Papua.  With your help, we can intensify our pursuit of justice for the many victims of Indonesia's security forces crimes: from the coup in 1965 that brought the dictator Suharto to power, through the illegal invasion and occupation of Timor-Leste to the West Papuans subject to ongoing human rights violations. And we need your help in keeping up the pressure on the U.S. government to acknowledge its role in arming and training the perpetrators of these crimes. We continue to highlight the career and human rights record now coordinating minister and former general Wiranto. We are pressing  Indonesia's President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo to rescind his appointment. Please sign our petition here -- if you haven't yet done so.  We can only maintain these and our other activities with the generous support of people like yourself.  Don't delay, please donate today. John M. Miller National Coordinator, ETAN

ETAN Urges Justice for Munir on 12th Anniversary of Assassination

ETAN Urges Justice for Munir on 12^th Anniversary of Assassination

September 7, 2016 - On the 12^th anniversary of the murder of Munir Said Thalib, a prominent Indonesian human rights activist, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) urged U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to press “President Widodo to fully investigate Munir’s murder and hold accountable all those responsible for his death.”

The group wrote “that resolving the case is important to consolidating Indonesia’s democracy.”

Read the rest here.

See also ETAN Backgrounder: The Investigation of the Murder of Munir: Timeline and Recommendations

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

Indonesia opposes UN appointing expert to report on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Says won't cooperate with expert.

Council establishes mandate on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

from http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=20220&LangID=E

Action on Resolution on Protection against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

In a resolution (A/HRC/32/L.2/Rev.1) on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, adopted by a vote of 23 in favour, 18 against and 6 abstentions as amended, the Council decides to appoint, for a period of three years, an Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, with the mandate to assess the implementation of existing international human rights instruments with regard to ways to overcome violence and discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity; raise awareness of violence and discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and to identify and address the root causes of violence and discrimination; and engage in dialogue and to consult with States and other relevant stakeholders.  The Council also requests the Independent Expert to report annually to the Human Rights Council, starting from its thirty-fifth session, and to the General Assembly, starting from its seventy-second session.

The result of the vote was as follows:

In favour (23): Albania, Belgium, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela, and Viet Nam.

Against (18): Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, China, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Morocco, Namibia, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Togo, and United Arab Emirates.

Abstentions (6): Botswana, Ghana, India, Maldives, Philippines, and South Africa. 

....

Indonesia, speaking in an explanation of the vote before the vote, reaffirmed its commitment to the elimination of violence against all persons as defined in international human rights treaties.  The Council should take a constructive and cooperative approach, especially when concerned with issues touching on morality.  Members of the Council should refrain from imposing values which did not enjoy international consensus.  Indonesia was concerned that the draft resolution was divisive.  While welcoming several amendments, Indonesia considered that the basic proposal remained the same, and for that reason was unable to support the draft resolution.  Indonesia also wanted it put on the record that Indonesia would not engage with the mandate holder.

Look, then ACT

see full alert here: http://etan.org/shattersilence/look_of_silence_on_PBS.htm

Watch The Look of Silence on PBS,
Act on U.S.-backed Massacres in Indonesia

The Oscar-nominated documentary, THE LOOK OF SILENCE will be broadcast Monday, June 27, on the PBS documentary showcase POV. We urge you to watch this important and disturbing film and then take action on U.S. support for mass violence in Indonesia.

1) Invite some friends to watch the documentary with you. Organize a discussion using ETAN's discussion guide.

2) Take a moment to urge your Senators to support Senator Tom Udall's (D-NM) S.Res. 273. It supports justice for the victims of the 1965-1966 mass murder in Indonesia, urges the U.S. to release all its records of these crimes, and expresses concern about the lack of accountability.

You can easily e-mail your Senators from here. Thanks to all who have e-mailed so far.

S.Res. 273 urges Indonesia to consider a truth, justice, and reconciliation commission to address crimes against humanity and other human rights violations and calls on all relevent U.S. government departments and agencies make available to the public all records from that time. Read more about the S.Res. 273 here: http://etan.org/news/2015/10senate.htm. 

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

For more you can do, go to http://etan.org/shattersilence/

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

ETAN in solidarity with Indonesia's LGBT community

ETAN stands in solidarity with Indonesia's LGBT community

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) strongly condemns recent and ongoing attacks against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people in Indonesia. ETAN stands with those Indonesian organizations and activists opposing all forms of discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

There has been a shocking rise in hate speech and homophobic actions in Indonesia. In recent months, anti-LGBT policies have spread and members of the LGBT community face ongoing harassment and death threats. Statements attacking LGBT people have come from all levels of government and include education officials calling for a ban on LGBT groups on school campuses and Indonesia's Vice-President Jusuf Kalla asking UNDP to defund LGBT organizations. Indonesia's leadership is ignoring its responsibility to include and protect all of its citizens by allowing this environment of intimidation and hatred to continue and spread.

Read the rest here

ETAN Alert - Write your Senators today!

Write your Senators - email letters here.

ETAN ALERT

Reveal the Truth, Acknowledge the Crime

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

Take action on U.S. accountability for its role in the massacres that followed Suharto's brutal seizure of power.

Read whole alert here: http://etan.org/action/16lookofsilence.htm

1) Support S.Res. 273. Call your Senators and urge them to cosponsor Senator Tom Udall's (D-NM) resolution condemning the 1965-1966 mass murder in Indonesia and expressing concern about the lack of accountability for these crimes. 

Call the Capitol Switchboard - (202) 224-3121 - and ask for your Senators' offices. Once connected ask for a foreign policy aide. Urge the Senator to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 273 on Indonesia, summarize the resolution, and a give your reasons why you believe it is important.Stress the need for both the U.S. and Indonesia to acknowledge the past by releasing all its documents from 1965/66. By taking responsibility for its role in these crimes, the U.S. will be supporting justice, reconciliation and assist efforts in Indonesia to hold its security forces accountable and to lift ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression.

Please encourage others to call. Be sure to follow-up with an email or another call. Let us knowthe results of your calls.

S.Res. 273 urges Indonesia to consider a truth, justice, and reconciliation commission to address crimes against humanity and other human rights violations and calls on the U.S. government departments and agencies involved in developing and implementing policy towards Indonesia at the time to locate, recommend for declassification, and make available to the public all records from that time. Read more about the S.Res. 273 here: http://etan.org/news/2015/10senate.htm.

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

Thank you to all who have signed so far.

We also urge you to sign the petition by Human Rights Watch here.http://thelookofsilence.com/participate

Order the documentaries here and support ETAN
Blu-Ray	DVD	Blu-Ray (2 discs)	DVD (2 discs)

 

Indonesia over-reacts to ETAN protest in San Francisco

Indonesia over-reacts to ETAN protest in San Francisco

Comment by Made Supraitma

Made Supriatma is an independent scholar and regular contributor to IndoProgess.

Feb. 16, 2016 - Today, President Jokowi visited the city of San Francisco. He was in the United States to attend a consultation meeting between the government of the United States and ASEAN. The meeting was held in the city of Palm Springs. Jokowi then took time to stop in San Francisco, possibly to make up for his failure to pay a visit to the West Coast during his visit to the U.S. last year. At that time, he shortened his visit due to catastrophic wildfires.

This afternoon, he met with the people who are members of an organization called Diaspora Indonesia. There was also a protest on that occasion. They raised posters that shouted their concerns about some of the issues that should be considered by the president. One banner urged him to "Reject Reclamation Benoa Bay." Other issues included  human rights violations in Papua, the oppressed religious minorities such as Ahmadis and Shias, and the LGBT issues that are now emerging. Incidentally, San Francisco is the one of the most tolerant and supportive cities in America for LGBT people and their struggles.

The President and his aides who participated in the visit might have been surprised, wondering why local issues such as "Reject Reclamation Benoa Bay" sail away to the United States? That's because this issue is no longer a local issue. It is an international matter.

I doubt whether the president and his entourage had a chance to ask or especially reflect on an answer. They were too busy. Tomorrow they will meet with officials of tech companies (some of them LGBT!). But it would be a big mistake for the president and his entourage ignore these issues.

I just heard some stories that did  preoccupy the president's entourage. A few days before his arrival, consular officers were busy contacting comrades planning the protest. They even send SMS messages saying, "Boss, there were guests from Jakarta who want to see you. Let's coffee-coffee."  The Jakarta "guests" were from BIN (Indonesia's intelligence bureau). Brothers and sisters, you know it would be the greatest stupidity on the face of this earth to want to have coffee with the BIN! Is not it? Remember the case of Munir, who was poisoned cowardly when invited to drink coffee? Ha, that's him ...

During the action Jokowi's entourage did other annoying things, Officers from Paspampres (presidential security force) tried to  prohibit the demonstration in front of the venue. What happened? San Francisco local police intervened, saying the demonstrators had a permit. This is America! Not Indonesia! Paspampres retreated.

Also annoying was the behavior of BIN. They tried to ask the names of the participants in the action, where they live, how long they have been in America, and so forth. Then out of nowhere, they began to call the name of one of the participants in the action in a very provocative manner.

I think as a matter of free speech we suffered a setback at the time of Jokowi's visit. I remember the [September 2012] demonstration against SBY in New York . Indonesian spies did not dare to approach. They just take photos from across the street. They did organize a counter demonstration and accused us of being paid protesters. This accusation was met with a very sweet by John M. Miller, ETAN coordinator, "We do not rent the crowd here in the U.S., but we do not mind to take your money. ETAN needs money for campaigning."
Intelligence was contrived to provide an early warning about the opponents of foreign states and countries, especially those who would undermine the existence of the state, not to silence opposition or pressue those who disagree with the government to change their minds. Jokowi, I think government should be reminded of that.

My honeymoon with Jokowi's reign is over. I wait for you in New York, Mr. President!

see also San Francisco Protest: Demand President Jokowi Support Justice for All

Read an important message about ETAN from Noam Chomsky

Read an Important message about ETAN
from Noam Chomsky

Thank you for your support. 

Thank you for your support. 

 

Oppose Indonesia Joining the TPP

ETAN is helping to circulate a petition demanding Indonesia President not sign on to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.


Go here to sign English language version of the petition

The Bahasa Indonesia version is here.

Here are 11 reasons to oppose Indonesia joining the TPP

1. Eliminating state control over the public sector

2. Strengthen the dominance of foreign corporation in the procurement of government goods and services

3. 'Disempower' SOEs for the national interest

4. Eliminating access to cheap medicines

5.Threaten food sovereignty and the sovereignty of the farmers

6. Preserve the oppression of Labor

7. Crush small businesses, medium enterprises and cooperatives

8. Enlarge the trade deficit

9. Importing American laws 

10. Weaken the country's position when in the dispute with multinational corporations

11. Threaten freedom of expression, information and knowledge on the Internet

Additonal information from Indonesia for Global Justice, facebook