Untitled Document

United Timorese NGOs calls for an international ad hoc tribunal

Thumbnail photo- Thomas Freitas, Joaquim Fonseca and Antero Benedito da Silva at the seminar
"Justice and Accountability in East Timor: International Tribunal and other
options"

JSMP, Dili18 October 2001

During a seminar on justice for East Timor on 16 October 2001, all
participating Timorese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) unanimously
called for the establishment of an international ad hoc tribunal with the
jurisdiction to try international crimes committed after the Indonesian
invasion in 1975. The seminar named "Justice and Accountability in East
Timor: International Tribunal and other options", gave the participants an
introduction into the current developments of the East Timorese legal
system, the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court in Indonesia as
well as analysis of the different perspectives of an international ad hoc
tribunal.

The conclusions of the working groups all highlighted the necessity of
bringing the perpetrators of international criminal law to justice, and in
particular to hold Indonesian military officers accountable. All NGOs
emphasized the need to bring justice to the victims, to avoid further human
rights violations in Indonesia and the responsibility of the international
community to try crimes against humanity committed during an Indonesian
occupation which was never legally recognized by the United Nations.

The organizations all confirmed their commitment to conduct a coordinated
campaign for justice and accountability both on a local, national and
international level. Several groups were established to draft resolutions
based upon the conclusions of the seminar.

Participants from international NGOs and international support groups
expressed their continued support to representative views of the East
Timorese civil society. They further highlighted the responsibility of
Indonesia to cooperate with international efforts of bringing the
perpetrators of crimes against humanity to justice.

All major Timorese NGOs working on justice related issues were present at
the seminar. Similar views have earlier been expressed by the now dissolved
National Council and by all political parties during the recent election
campaign in East Timor.