Protest to Target Indonesian Rights Violations
Demonstration
to Call for an End to Military Assault on Aceh
and for Justice for East Timor
Today, Monday,
June 9, at 5:30 p.m. demonstrators will gather at the
Indonesian Embassy to protest the Indonesian military assault on Aceh
and
the Indonesian military's ongoing impunity for crimes committed in East
Timor. The embassy is located at 2020 Massachusetts Ave., NW.
In a street
theatre performance, activists from around the country will
recreate the Indonesian Ad Hoc Human Rights Court for East Timor with
an
interpretation that gives voice to the East Timorese victims of past
military crimes.
"We
stand in solidarity with the people of Aceh and East Timor. The world
must not watch silently as the Indonesian military slaughters the people
of
Aceh. Nor will we be silent while the demands of the East Timorese people
for genuine justice are mocked," said Stefanie Collins of Texas.
Collins
and dozens of others are in Washington to educate members of Congress
about
recent developments in Indonesia and East Timor.
The Indonesian
military (TNI) launched a massive military offensive in Aceh
on May 19 using U.S.-supplied weapons, obliterating an
internationally-supported ceasefire agreement. The government has imposed
martial law and restricted media access. Civilian casualties, including
children, are mounting rapidly. Human rights monitors and nonviolent
advocates have been targeted.
The Indonesian
military has thus far successfully evaded accountability for
crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in East Timor. Poorly
drawn indictments, an intimidating courtroom atmosphere and distortions
of
events that took place in 1999 have characterized Indonesia's Ad Hoc Human
Rights Court for East Timor. To date, the court has acquitted 12 and
convicted five delivering light sentences. The final verdict is due July
1st, yet the prosecution has already announced it would request an
acquittal of Major General Adam Damiri, the highest-ranking officer
prosecuted. Damiri has missed several court appearances because he is
involved in the military assault on Aceh.
"The
U.S. government must not allow U.S.-supplied weapons to harm civilians
in Aceh," said Ben Terrall of California. "The Bush administration
and
Congress must support an international tribunal for East Timor. Only a
tribunal can provide meaningful justice for the much-wronged people of
the
world's newest nation."
The demonstration
is sponsored by the East Timor Action Network
(www.etan.org) and the Indonesia Human Rights Network