Timor Leste marks 30 years after RI's invasion<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Dili<\/p>\n
About 300 East Timorese called for an international tribunal to
\ntry soldiers accused of human rights violations as they marked
\nthe 30th anniversary of Indonesia's invasion of the tiny
\nterritory.<\/p>\n
The protesters marched through the capital Dili, waving
\nbanners and shouting slogans demanding justice for victims of the
\noccupation.<\/p>\n
\"We will continue to cry for justice on behalf of the victims
\nand this is the time for criminal actors to be brought to an
\ninternational court,\" said one protester, who asked not to be
\nnamed.<\/p>\n
\"There are many problems facing the nation and people of Timor
\nLeste, but we believe that the people will never forget what
\nhappened 30 years ago and what they have gone through,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia invaded the former East Timor on Dec. 7, 1975, after
\nPortuguese colonizers disbanded the territory. Jakarta's move was
\nnever recognized by the United Nations.<\/p>\n
The protesters also denounced the August creation of the
\nCommission of Truth and Friendship by Indonesia and Timor Leste
\naimed at coming to terms with past bloodshed.<\/p>\n
\"The people will patiently fight for justice and fight leaders
\nwhose policies are against human rights principles,\" another
\nprotester told AFP.<\/p>\n
The commission has said it plans to talk to former East
\nTimorese rebel leaders, top Indonesian military officers and
\nformer pro-Jakarta militiamen.<\/p>\n
Militia gangs, which the United Nations has said were
\nrecruited and directed by Indonesia's military, went on an arson
\nand killing spree before and after East Timorese voted for
\nindependence in a UN-sponsored ballot in August 1999.<\/p>\n
They killed about 1,400 independence supporters and laid waste
\nto much of the infrastructure in the half-island.<\/p>\n
An Indonesian court set up to try military officers and
\nofficials for atrocities in Timor Leste has been labeled a sham
\nby critics. Of the 18 people tried, 17 have now been acquitted
\nand one is still appealing.<\/p>\n
Timor Leste gained full independence in May 2002 after more
\nthan two years of United Nations stewardship.<\/p>\n
The East Timorese government opposes calls for an
\ninternational tribunal for suspects, saying the priority is
\nreconciliation with its giant neighbor.<\/p>\n
Documents released last week in the United States showed that
\nU.S. officials were aware of Indonesia's invasion plans nearly a
\nyear in advance but adopted \"a policy of silence\".<\/p>\n
A separate East Timorese commission of inquiry into human
\nrights abuses that occurred between 1975 and 1999 produced a
\n2,500 page report with recommendations for action which have yet
\nto be publicly released.<\/p>\n
Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao handed the report to his
\nparliament late last month but wanted it withheld from the
\npublic, amid an outcry from opposition politicians and rights
\nactivists.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/timor-leste-marks-30-years-after-ris-invasion-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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