Aversion to govt policies sparked E. Timor rioting
Aversion to govt policies sparked E. Timor rioting
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has
attributed last month's religious and ethnic rioting in East
Timor to the many unresolved political and social problems of the
territory.
Strained relations between indigenous residents and migrants,
poor communication between the government and the people,
continuing social conflict and malfunctioning political
institutions all contributed to the frustration that burst into
the open between Sept. 2 and Sept. 14, the commission concluded.
The spate of rioting in the capital Dili was triggered by a
Moslem prison official's statement which offended local
Catholics.
Commission deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said that the
rioters were venting their frustration at the numerous problems
plaguing the predominantly Roman Catholic province.
"The incidents were an outburst of accumulating problems,"
Marzuki said when announcing the commission's findings.
The commission concluded that in the course of the rioting,
there had been numerous rights violations in the areas of
religion, personal safety, property as well as the right to be
free of fear.
Between Sept. 2 and 14, Dili saw youths on the rampage.
Migrants were harassed and their houses attacked, mosques and
Protestant churches vandalized, vehicles set on fire and market
places burned down.
The authorities have since arrested more than a dozen rioters
and detained the Meliana prison official who allegedly insulted
the church when he was addressing inmates.
Marzuki said that the relationship between indigenous East
Timorese and migrants, who dominate the local economy, are
particularly sensitive.
The commission suggested that political institutions in the
province improve their functions to better accommodate local
needs. In addition, he said, local government officials,
community leaders and the public need to improve communication.
It also recommended that local religious leaders hold more
dialogs to address any differences that may exist between the
people of different religions.
The commission's report has elements in common with the
findings of the Armed Forces.
Chief of the Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung said during a
recent hearing with Commission I of the House of Representatives
that the riots had their origins in three unrelated incidents:
the announcement of the results of the civil service entrance
test, which angered those who were not admitted; remarks by an
official that denigrated Roman Catholicism, which is the main
religion in East Timor; and the marriage of two people from
different churches, which fueled anger among the local people.
Earlier, the government said the riots had racial and
religious characteristics because the targets were the migrants,
who are mostly Moslem.
Meanwhile, about 100 ulemas from Jakarta and its surrounding
townships went to the House of Representatives yesterday to
express their concern with the tension in East Timor.
The delegation was received by Aisyah Amini of the Moslem-
based United Development Party, who is also chairwoman of
Commission I for security and political affairs, and two
colleagues, Abu Hasan Sazili and Ali Rasjidi.
Led by Nur Muhammad SQ, the ulemas and principals of Moslem
boarding schools in Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi lodged a
petition with the House, calling on the government to take prompt
actions to solve the problem.
The ulemas called on the government to establish a fact-
finding mission to obtain clear data on what triggered the
incident and the actual number of casualties.
They suggested a number of actions be taken, including a
meeting to gather together Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of
the predominantly Roman Catholic region, ulemas, the National
Commission on Human Rights, the Armed Forces and the government.
They also called on the public to exercise self restraint and
on Moslems to pray for solutions to the problems in the
territory. (imn/swe)