Street demo banned in East Timor
Street demo banned in East Timor
DILI, East Timor (JP): The military has slapped a ban on all
street demonstrations in East Timor, saying that any complaints
must be channeled through the local legislature.
Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna, the chief of the Udayana Military
Command which also oversees East Timor, said demonstrations have
been banned because they have proven destructive.
He said that people who oppose East Timor's integration with
Indonesia have taken advantage of demonstrations in the past to
promote their separatist cause.
He cited, in particular, the Nov. 12, 1991 protest in Dili
that turned into a riot and led to fatalities. This incident
traumatized East Timor and has not been erased completely to this
day, he said.
The ban came a few weeks after a protest held on the campus of
the government run East Timor University turned violent when
police tried to disperse the demonstrators. Fortunately, there
were only a few injuries.
Adang said the authorities now plan to prosecute several
people believe to be the perpetrators of the July 13 protest.
He said people should channel their complaints to the local
legislative assembly to ensure no disruption or disorder in the
future.
If they wish to march to the legislature, they can notify the
police who will provide them with an escort, or even provide them
with transportation. "But don't bring banners," he warned
He said that street demonstrations are not part of the East
Timor culture and is a new phenomenon. "Their culture does not
teach them to demonstrate to express their wishes to their
leaders. It didn't even exist during Portuguese times."
The ban on street protests comes ahead of a visit by Japanese
parliamentarians and journalists, the first foreigners to visit
since the July 13 demonstration, according to Reuters in Jakarta.
Diplomatic sources said a delegation of Japanese legislators,
journalists and translators have been permitted by the Indonesian
government to visit East Timor but no date has been set.
(yac/emb)