| ARCHIVE
2003 : December - November
- October - September
- August - July
- June -
May - April - March
- February - January
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Reconciliation
hearing seeks to resolve bitter past
|
| Since
gaining independence in 2002, the people of East Timor have struggled with
the legacy of violence of Indonesia's 24-year occupation. Now they are being
asked to turn their minds to what many people was an even more disturbing
chapter of country's recent history.( AP 16 Dec) Read
More |
| |
| COURT
OF APPEAL APPLIES INDONESIAN LAW AS SUBSIDIARY LAW IN TIMOR LESTE IN SCU
APPEAL OF SPECIAL PANEL DECISION |
| This
week the Court of Appeal handed down a landmark decision applying Indonesian
law to a crime committed in Timor Leste in 1999. The appeal involved a Serious
Crime Unit indictment charging two former Aitarak militiamen with murder.
(SCU, 12 Dec 03), Read
More |
| |
| Justice
fails to net big fish for crimes in East Timor |
| When
United Nations prosecutors in February indicted Indonesia's former defence
minister, General Wiranto, and seven other senior figures for crimes against
humanity during Jakarta's bloody exit from East Timor, it was seen as a
step forward for justice. (FT, 10 Dec 03) Read
More |
| |
| Ex-militiaman
defers papua plan for nationalist group |
| A
group of former East Timorese militiamen postponed a plan on Tuesday to
open a branch office of their pro-integration Red-and-White Defenders Front
(FPMP) in Papua province, following strong objections from the local people.
(The Jakarta Post, 10 Dec 03) Read
More |
| |
| TWO
SPECIAL PANEL TRIALS CONCLUDE WITH THE CONVICTIONS OF A LAKSAUR MILITIAMAN
AND AN EAST TIMORESE TNI SERGEANT FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN TIMOR LESTE |
| On
10 December 2003, Judges at the Special Panels for Serious Crimes onvicted
a former Laksaur militia member and a former East Timorese Indonesian military
(TNI) Sergeant of Crimes against Humanity in the conclusion of two separate
trials. Former Laksaur militia member Damicao da Costa Nunes was found guilty
of two murders and persecution as Crimes against Humanity in Covalima district
in August and September 1999 and sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprisonment.(SCU,
10 Dec 03), Read
More |
| |
| FORMER
EAST TIMORESE MILITIA MEMBER FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF TWO EASTTIMORESE
UNAMET STAFF IN SEPTEMBER 1999 |
| At
9.00am on 9 December 2003, Judges at the Special Panels for Serious Crimes
convicted Salvador Soares of Crimes against Humanity for the murder of two
East Timorese UNAMET employees in Maliana on 2 September 1999. (SCU,
9 Dec 03), Read
More, Portuguese,
Bahasa, Tetum |
| |
| Pacific
Currents: Indonesia is short on justice for East Timor, activists say |
| Indonesia
is facing criticism at home and abroad over recent developments involving
two men linked to human rights abuses in the former Indonesian province
of East Timor in 1999. (Seatle Post, 8 Dec 03), Read
More |
| |
| SPECIAL
PANEL TRIAL ENDS WITH AN EAST TIMORESE TNI SOLDIER BEING ACQUITTED OF CRIMES
AGAINST HUMANITY |
| At
11.00 on 8 December 2003, Judges at the Special Panels for Serious Crimes
acquitted Paulino de Jesus of murder and attempted murder in Bobonaro district
in September 1999. This is the first acquittal of adefendant at the Special
Panels for Serious Crimes since trials began in January 2001 in Timor Leste.
(SCU, 8 Dec 03), Read
More |
| |
| CIIR
condemns militia group in Papua |
| The
Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR) has condemned activities
in the Indonesian province of Papua by former East Timorese militia leader
Eurico Guterres. (CIIR, 8 Dec 03), Read
More |
| |
| UN,
U.S. Must Break the Silence on Crimes in East Timor Since Invasion
|
| On
the December 7 anniversary of Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor, the
East Timor Action Network (ETAN) urged United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan and the U.S. government to forcefully act for justice for the
people of East Timor. (ETAN, 7 Dec 03), Read
More |
| |
| We
Must Not Forget Invasion Day, 7 December 1975 |
| Twenty-eight
years ago today, Indonesian invaded our country, initiating a barrage of
crimes against humanity that lasted until four years ago. Although most
of our people were not born at the time of the invasion, we all live with
its legacy; victims include nearly every family in Timor Leste. (National
Aliance, 7 Dec 03) Read
More |
| |
Danger
of violent instability in West Papua increases as rights abusers
take on key roles |
|
The appointment
of Indonesia's former East Timor police chief, Timbul Silaen, as the new
police chief of West Papua and the involvement of notorious East Timor
militia leader, Eurico Guterres, in a new West Papua militia group renew
fears of increased instability and violence in the territory and are a
triumph for impunity over justice, says TAPOL the Indonesia Human Rights
Campaign.( TAPOL 04 Dec.) Read
More
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| |
| Timor's
Guterres forms Papua militia |
| A
notorious East Timorese militia leader has formed a militia group in the
mining town of Timika, a Papuan rights group reported yesterday.Feared militia
leader Eurico Guterres was sentenced to 10 years' jail in November last
year for instigating attacks on pro-independence leaders during East Timor's
bloody referendum in August 1999. He was released pending an appeal - which
could take years - and formed the Laskar Merah Putih, or Red and White Warriors
militia, last month, the Papuan rights group Elsham said.(AP 02 Dec) Read
More |
| |
| Special
PanelSentences Former LAKSAUR Militia Member to 9 years for Crimes against
Humanity in April 99 |
| At 11.00 on 26 November 2003, Judges at the Special
Panels for Serious Crimes convicted Miguel Mau of Crimes against Humanity
including murder, enforced disappearance and persecution. Taking into account
the guilty plea of the former Laksaur militia member, the Special Panel
of three Judges sentenced Miguel Mau the to 9 years months imprisonment
for crimes committed in Covalima district in Timor Leste on 23 April 1999.
Read More |
| |
| Special
Panel Judges SentenceCarlos Soares to 4 ½ Years for Murder in Sept
1999 |
| On
24 November 2003, Judges at the Special Panels for Serious Crimes foundCarlos
Soares (aka Carman) guilty of murder. The Special Panel of Judgessentenced
Carlos Soares to 4 years 6 months imprisonment for the murder ofGraciano
Mau Mario in Ermera district on 19 September 1999. Rear
More, Tetum,
Bahasa, Portuguese
|
| |
| Clandestine
Member Sentenced for Murder by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes Cases
in Dili |
| Today,
24 November 2003, the Special Panel for Serious Crimes, a part of the Dili
District Court, delivered the decision in the case of Public Prosecutor
against Carlos Soares aka Carman, sentencing Carlos Soares to 4 years and
six month imprisonment. The panel delivering the decision was presided by
Judge Francesco Florit together with Judge Antonio Helder do Carmo and Judge
Dora de Morais. Read
More, Bahasa,
Portuguese |
| |
| Special
Panel For East Timor Ignores the Importance of Public Participation in Court
Proceedings |
| The
Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Dili, East Timor is conducting trial
hearings in which the public participation has been ignored. During three
hearings monitored by JSMP last week and early this week, in crucial moments,
general court interpretation was not provided. (JSMP 19 Nov 03) Read
More, Bahasa, Portuguese |
| |
| Centre
on Housing Rights and Evictions |
Last
December the East Timorese government passed a law
empowering it to charge people for informal occupation of land. The
Juridical Regime of Real Estate also enables the government to evict people
without the adequate safeguards enshrined in international law. Read
More |
| |
| Journalist
widow fights for justice |
| THE
widow of one of five Australian journalists killed in East Timor 28 years
ago today called for their killers to be brought to justice ahead of the
opening of a memorial for the men.(ABC 29 Oct)
Read More |
| |
| Special
Panel Sentences two Former Liquica Militia Members for Crimes Against Humanity |
|
Judges at
the Special Panels for Serious Crimes convicted Anastacio Martins and
Domingos Goncalves of Crimes against Humanity. The two former members
of the Besi Merah Putih militia group in Liquica district were sentenced
to 11 years 6 months and 15 years imprisonment for crimes committed in
Liquica district in Timor Leste in September 1999.( SCU 23 Oct) Read
More, Bahasa,
Tetum, Portuguese
|
| |
| Special
Panel in Dili Finally Releases Illegal Detainee |
|
Yesterday
in Dili (21 October) the Special Panels for Serious Crimes ordered the
immediate release of Laurindo Vidigal from illegal detention, following
an habeas corpus application from the defence.(JSMP21 Oct) Read
More, Bahasa
´
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| |
| Special
Panels for Serious Crimes face Further setback as International Judge Called
Home |
|
Further
delays are expected in the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in Dili,
East Timor as yet another judge looks set to return home before finishing
her cases. Judge Dora de Morais from Brazil, who has been working on the
Special Panel for Serious Crimes since the beginning of 2003, has been
requested to return to Brazil to recommence her duties as judge in a Court
in the province of Sao Paulo by the 1st November this year. Judge de Morais'
departure will dramatically curtail the work of the Special Panel for
Serious Crimes at a crucial time in its mandate. (JSMP20 Oct) Read
More, Portuguese
|
| |
| Domingos
Mendonca, Ex-Commander of Ablai militia is Sentenced for 10 years and 6
Months Imprisonment by Special Panel |
|
The Special
Panel for Serious Crimes handed down a decision giving a sentence of 10
years and 6 months for the accused Domingos Mendonça, ex-member
of the Ablai militia from Same-Manufahi. The Panel was composed of Judge
Maria Natercia Gusmao (East Timor) - Presiding Judge - Judge Sylver Ntuzamazina
(Burundi) and Judge Sigfried Blunk (Germany).(JSMP 13 Oct) Read
More Tetum
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| |
| Last
Defendant in the "Same" Trial Receives
10 ½ Years Sentence For Crimes Against Humanity |
| Judges
at the Special Panels for Serious Crimes found Domingos Mendonca guilty
of Crimes Against Humanity including murder and persecution in the last
verdict of the "Same" trial. The former member of the Tim Sasurat
Ablai militia group in Same subdistrict was sentenced to 10 years and 6
months imprisonment for crimes committed in Same sub-district in Manufahi
district of East Timor between April and September 1999.(SCU 13 Oct) Read
More |
| |
| Baucau
Indictment Charges Former Indonesian TNI Commander in Baucau, 12 TNI Members
and Baucau Militia Commanders with Crimes Against Humanity |
The
Baucau indictment charges 17 individuals with a total of 14 counts of Crimes
Against Humanity including murder, torture, persecution and other
inhumane acts committed in an organised campaign of violence against the
civilian population of Baucau district between 26 March and 12 September
1999.( SCU 07 Oct) Read More,
Tetum, Bahasa,
Portuguese |
| |
| East
Timor: Lisbon says adoption of Indonesian law no threat to relations |
|
The East
Timorese parliament overwhelmingly approved Thursday the adoption of former
occupier Indonesia's legal system as the country's applicable subsidiary
law. The decision was taken by 62 votes to three with 12 abstentions,
following a debate characterized by many negative references to Portugal`s
more than four centuries of colonial rule. (Lusa 2 Oct)
Read More
|
| |
| JSMP
Disappointed with passing of Unconstitutional Immigration and Asylum Law |
|
On Monday
this week (29 September, 2003) the National Parliament of East Timor passed
the controversial Immigration and Asylum Law. The law was passed with
66 votes in favour and 15 against. No members abstained.( JSMP 10 Sep)
Read More,
Bahasa, Portuguase
|
| |
| Consultation
meeting on justice sector: Significant achievements but many challenges
remain' |
|
The Deputy
Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Sukehiro
Hasegawa, said that there have been significant developments in the justice
sector over the past 18 months but many challenges remain to be addressed.
The DSRSG was speaking at the opening of a consultation meeting which
was held today in Dili. The aim of the meeting, jointly sponsored byUNMISET
and UNDP, was to review the progress already made and to identify the
support that will still be needed for the institutional development of
the sector, and for the serious crimes process, during the remainder of
UNMISETs mandate and beyond.(UNMISET 30 Sep) Read
More
|
| |
| 3
New Indictment Charge Sakunar Militia Deputy Commander,3 East Timorese TNI
Soldiers and 13 Sakunar Militia Members with Crimes In Oecusse District
in 1999 |
|
The Acting
Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes filed 3 indictments with
the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at Dili District Court in Timor Leste
on 30 September 2003.(SCU 30 Sep) Read
More, Bahasa,Tetum,Portugues
|
| |
| East
Timor’s Court of Appeal orders release of Crimes Against Humanity Accused |
|
On Wednesday
last week (24 September 2003) East Timor’s Court of Appeal ordered
the conditional release of Carlos Ena, accused of Crimes Against Humanity,
from pre-trial detention. This is the first decision of the Court of Appeal
to find that an order for continued detention of an accused by the Special
Panel for Serious Crimes is not legal. (JSMP 29 Sep) Read
More, Bahasa
|
| |
| Police
Seek Vegas Case Witnesses |
| Police
said on Thursday that they were searching for at least three people who
reportedly entered East Timor illegally along with former militiaman Vegas
Bibilitu, who was shot dead in the neighboring country.( JP 26 Sep) Read
More |
| |
| Hera
Indictment Issued Charging 18 People Including two Indonesian TNI Officers,
4 East Timorese TNI Soldier and an Aitarak Company Commander With Crimes
Against Humanity |
|
The Acting
Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes filed a major Crimes against
Humanity indictment with the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at Dili
District Court in Timor Leste on 25 September 2003.( SCU 26 Sep) Read
More
|
| |
DetainedD
East Timorese TNI Soldier Indicted fro Torture and
Disappearance in Liquica District in April 1999 |
|
The Acting
Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes filed a single indictment
with the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at Dili District Court in Timor
Leste on 23 September 2003. The indictment charges Rusdin Maubere with
Crimes against Humanity for the torture and enforced disappearance of
a pro independence supporter in Liquica District on 26 April 1999.(SCU
23 Sep) Read More
Tetum Bahasa
|
| |
| Suspected
Illegal Traders Clash with BPU, One Person Dead |
|
The Border
Patrol Unit (BPU) of PNTL [Timorese police force] yesterday evening shot
dead one man after a group of suspected illegal traders, in an attempt
to resist arrest, injured a BPU officer near the town of Maliana [Bobonaro
District].(UNMISET 20 Sep) Read
More
|
| |
| Don't
Trade Justice for Peace, Prosecutor Pleads |
| East
Timor's chief prosecutor, Longuinhos Monteiro, has warned that the country
could face internal problems if it drops cases against Indonesian human
rights violators to further relations with Jakarta.(Jill Jolliffe 17 Sep)
Read More |
| |
| Police
Must Be Non-Partisan and Respectful of Human Rights' |
|
The Minister
of State Administration and Minister of the Presidency of the Council
of Ministers, Ana Pessoa, today said that Timor-Leste wants a police force
that is "professional, truly non-partisan and that shows full respect
for human rights". The Minister was speaking at Baucau Stadium during
the ceremony to mark the hand-over of policing responsibilities in the
district from UNPOL to PNTL. (UNMISET 16 Sep) Read
More
|
| |
| Timor's
'Disappeared' Await Justice |
| Four
years after the East Timorese people voted overwhelmingly for independence
from Indonesia, justice remains elusive for the victims of the violence
that followed.( The Age 15 Sep) Read
More |
| |
| First
TNI Soldier Charged with Crimes Against Humanity: Trial Starts in Dili |
|
On Thursday
the trial of the first former TNI Soldier charged with Crimes Against
Humanity commenced in the Special Panel for Serious Crimes of the Dili
District Court in East Timor.The Accused, Marcelino Soares, is the former
Babinsa, or village level Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)
in Hera village, Metinaro Sub-District in Dili. He is indicted upon three
counts of Crimes against Humanity (murder, torture and persecution by
unlawful detention) arising from the arrest and torture of three members
of an East Timorese pro-independence group, by East Timorese and Indonesian
TNI soldiers, and the subsequent murder of one of the arrested persons,
Luis Dias Soares, on or about 20 April 1999. ( JSMP 15 Sep) Read
More
|
| |
| Visiting
Kopassus chief to face trial for rights abuses |
| The
Kopassus chief, Commander Major General Sriyanto, invited to Australia to
cement a military deal with Canberra, will shortly be tried for human rights
abuses in Indonesia.(GLW 10 sep) Read
More |
| |
| Judges
of Ad Hoc Court For E Timor Case Invited to Honolulu |
Twenty
20 judges of the ad hoc Court for East
Timor have been invited to the East-West Centre, Honolulu, United States
this week for a discussion with world-calibre law experts.( Antara 4 Sep)
Read More |
| |
| Justice
for East Timor victims? Not in Indonesia |
| Acar
bomb exploded at the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on August 5, killing 12 people.
That same day, across town, a man responsible for many more deaths received
a slap on the wrist as Indonesia's ad hoc human rights court ended its judicial
charade. Major-General Adam Damiri received three years in jail for his
involvement in the 1999 devastation in East Timor. He remains free pending
his appeal, and is unlikely to spend a day in a cell.( SCMP 2 Aug) Read
More |
| |
Fight
Against Terror Must Include Justice for East Timor
|
|
Editor's
Note: As Indonesian authorities struggle to capture those responsible
for terror bombings in Jakarta, Indonesia's own military officers remain
free from prosecution for their crimes against humanity in East Timor.
Indonesia's powerful ally the United States, the writer says, must support
an international war crimes tribunal for East Timor.(PNS 15 Aug) Read
More
|
| |
| Free
East Timor Japan Coalition Calls for International Tribunal |
|
Indonesian
Tribunal a cover-up, rewarding those responsible for theatrocities in
East Timor with impunity. Japan Coalition calls for an international tribunal.(JPC
29 Aug) Read More
|
| |
| Timor-Leste:
International Community Must Press for Justice for Crimes Against Humanity |
| On
the fourth anniversary of the vote for independence by the people of Timor-Leste
(formerly East Timor),Amnesty International is launching a new campaign
to ensure that the victims of the 1999 violence do not have to wait another
four years for justice. (AI 29 Aug) Read
More |
| |
| JSMP:
New Internal Security Act May Be Unconstitutional |
|
On Tuesday,
East Timor's proposed Internal Security Act was referred by Parliamentary
Committee A to the President of the Republic for the purpose of its approval
prior to entry into force as law. The Judicial System Monitoring Programme
(JSMP) is concerned that the Act is potentially unconstitutional as it
undermines the role of Parliament and may challenge human rights guarantees.
(JSMP 27 Aug) Read More
|
| |
| East
Timor: Dili Grants Some Ex-militias Immunity for Reconciliation Visits |
| East
Timor's attorney-general's office has granted immunity from detention to
about 150 former anti- independence militias and pro-Indonesia integrationists
to return home temporarily for reconciliation meetings with officials and
relatives .(Lusa 26 Aug) Read
More |
| |
| Australia
Launches East Timor Policing Initiative |
| Australia
will work in partnership with East Timor as it continues to build an effective,
professional and accountable police force. This $40 million initiative will
be delivered over four years.(GA 25 Aug) Read
More |
| |
| E
Timor President Attempts Reconciliation Talks |
|
The President
of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao, has held the first in a series of reconciliation
talks with former militia leaders near his country's border with Indonesian
West Timor.(ABC 24 Aug) Read
More
|
| |
| Ablai
Militia Member Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity For Murders and Deportation
in 1999 |
|
Judges at
the Special Panel for Serious Crimes sentenced Joao Sarmento to 8 years
and 8 months imprisonment following his recent guilty plea during the
Same trial. The former Tim Sasarat Ablai militia member was convicted
of two counts of Crimes Against Humanity (murder) and Crimes Against Humanity
(deportation) for crimes committed in Same sub-district in Manufahi district
between April and September 1999.(SCU 12 Aug) Read
More
|
| |
| Justice
after the Timor bloodshed |
|
It was overshadowed
by the Jakarta bombing. But the conviction last week of a senior Indonesian
general for crimes against humanity should not be overlooked. Indonesia
did all it could to avoid having its officers brought before international
war crimes tribunals over their behaviour during East Timor's independence
vote four years ago.(SMH 11 Aug) Read
More
|
| |
| Human
Tragedy of East Timor |
| It
happened to the East Timorese after the vote on self-determination on Aug.
30, 1999. In the mayhem that ensued, many fled across the border into Nusa
Tenggara Barat, with the number of refugees reaching a huge 250,000 people.(JP
10 Aug) Read
More |
| |
| Former
Integration Figther Calls on East Timorese to Continue Reconciliation |
|
Former Chief
of the Integration Fighters Legion (PPI) Joao da Silva Tavares has called
on all East Timorese people to continue reconciliation process.( Antara
8 Aug) Read More
|
| |
| Only
justice can Build Dili-Jakarta Relationship |
| Jakarta's
"theater of justice on East Timor" is nearing its end, when the
ad hoc human rights tribunal on Tuesday sentenced Maj.Gen. Adam Damiri to
three years in jail for his involvement in the 1999 devastation in East
Timor, while letting him free pending his appeal. The court has so far acquitted
12 of the 18 brought to trial.(CCR 7 Aug) Read
More |
| |
| US
disappointed with Indonesian Rights Tribunal, Timor Activists Rage |
|
The United
States said it was disappointed with the work of an Indonesian tribunal
into atrocities in East Timor, after it jailed a convicted general for
just three years -- a sentence branded by activists here as "a joke."
(Agence France Presse 6 Aug) Read
More
|
| |
| COURT
IN JAKARTA COMPLETES THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE |
|
The sentencing
of Major General Adam Damiri to three years imprisonment for crimes against
humanity in a sentence handed down on Tuesday brings to a close a process
that is widely regarded internationally as both a tragedy and a farce.
Damiri is the last and most high ranking of 18 defendants to be tried
and sentenced by the ad hoc Human Rights Court in Jakarta.(JSMP 6 Aug)
Read More
|
| |
| Jakarta
jails general over East Timor |
| An
army general was found guilty of crimes against humanity by an Indonesian
court yesterday over bloodshed during East Timor's independence vote in
1999, ending a series of court cases that rights groups have largely branded
a whitewash. (The Age 6 Aug) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor tribunal to clear genera |
|
The much
derided tribunal investigating the mass murder and devastation thataccompanied
East Timor's 1999 independence referendum is expected to acquit the most
senior defendant on trial today.(The Guardian 5 Aug) Read
More
|
| |
| SERIOUS
CRIMES UNIT UPDATE VII/03 5 August 2003 |
|
The Serious
Crimes Unit (SCU) was established by the United Nations Transitional Authority
in East Timor (UNTAET) following UN Security Council Resolution 1272 (1999).
As mandated by the United Nations Security Council, the Serious Crimes
Unit is responsible for conducting investigations and preparing indictments
to assist in bringing to justice those responsible for Crimes against
Humanity and other serious crimes committed in East Timor in 1999. (SCU
5 Aug) Read More
|
| |
| Banker
Faces Timor Court |
| THE
ANZ Bank manager in East Timor, Kirk McNamara, faced court in Dili yesterday
on criminal charges that he had stolen doors from a house owned by the brother
of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.( Weekly Times 5 Aug)
Read
More |
| |
| TIMOR:
Legal System Faces Chaos |
| East
Timor's most senior judge has ruled the new nation's legal system should
be based on Portuguese law, not Indonesian law. The controversial statement
was made during his verdict on an appeal of a Timorese militiaman convicted
on involvement in murders and a massacre during the 1999 vote for independence,listen(
ABC 01 Aug) Read More |
| |
| Information
Release From Prosecutor
General of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste |
| The
Prosecutor General of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste filed an application
with the Supreme Court of Justice in Timor Leste requesting a declaration
clarifying the issue of applicable law in Timor Leste. (GPGR 24 July)
Read More |
| |
| Special
Panel Delivers its own Decision on the Applicable Law |
|
The furore
regarding whether the law of Indonesia, or of Portugal, should be the
applicable subsidiary law in East Timor took a new twist today when the
Special Panel for Serious Crimes, a Division of the Dili District Court
responsible for Crimes Against Humanity trials stemming from the violence
of 1999, weighed into the debate by issuing their own opinion on the issue.(JSMP
24 July) Read More
|
| |
| JSMP
Expresses Concern About Personal Attacks Upon Court of Appeal Judges |
| JSMP
is alarmed by the recent pattern of criticism from members of government
towards judges of the Court of Appeal of East Timor. Several statements
appear to constitute personal attacks on individual judges, rather than
fair comment on the content of judicial decisions.(JSMP 23 July)
English
- Portuguese |
| |
| East
Timor's Court of Appeal Renders Three Further Decisions Applying Portuguese
Law |
|
The Court
of Appeal has recently delivered three further appeals applying Portuguese
law in East Timor. In each case heard before the Court on Friday last
week, the majority of the Court , namely Judge Claudio Ximenes (Presiding)
and Judge Jose Antunes (Portugese International Judge) affirmed their
position that the appropriate subsidiary law in East Timor is Portuguese,
rather than Indonesian law.(JSMP : 22 July)
Read More
|
| |
| Court
of Appeal Decision Raises National and International Concern |
|
The Court
of Appeal has this week published a decision which has shaken the foundations
of the legal system in East Timor. The Court ruled that Indonesian law
has never been validly in force in East Timor, questioned the validity
of the United Nations Regulation 2000/15 which forms the basis for prosecution
of Crimes Against Humanity, and purported to expand the definition of
´genocide´under international law.( JSMP 17 July) Read
More
|
| |
| Maliana
Indictment Issued Charging 57 People Including 17 Members of The Indonesian
Military, That Commander of The Militia Groups of East Timor,The District
Police Chief and The District Administrador |
| The
Maliana indictment charges a total of 57 individuals with a total of 14
counts of crimes against humanity including murder, attempted murder, torture
and persecution committed against the civilian population of Bobonaro District
between May and September 1999.(SCU 15 July)
Read More |
| |
| THREE
INTERNATIONAL PROSECUTORS FOR SERIOUS CRIMES INAUGURATED TO APPEAR AT THE
SPECIAL PANELS |
|
On 7 July
2003, Dr.Longuinhos Monteiro, the Prosecutor General of the Democratic
Republic of Timor Leste presided over the inauguration of three International
prosecutors at a ceremony at the Office of the Prosecutor General in Dili,
Timor Leste. The Prosecutors from the Serious Crimes Unit took Oaths of
Office which will allow them to prosecute cases before the Special Panels
for Serious Crimes of Dili District Court Court of Timor Leste. Dr. Claudio
de Jesus Ximenes, the President of the Appeal Court also participated
in the ceremony which was observed by members of the Courts of Timor Leste,
UNMISET and the Diplomatic community. (SCU 7 July) Read
More
|
| |
| ABLAI
MILITIA LEADERS SENTENCED FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY |
|
The Special
Panel for Serious Crimes in East Timor today convicted and sentenced two
Ablai militia leaders to imprisonment for murder and other Crimes Against
Humanity committed in Same Sub-District in 1999.( JSMP 16 July) Read
More
|
| |
| Special
Panel Dismisses Indictment Against Alleged Aitarak Militia Members |
| On
11 July the Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Dili dismissed a prosecution
indictment against two alleged members of the Aitarak Militia and ordered
them to be released from detention. (JSMP 15 July) Read
More |
| |
| Foreign
Businessman Released from Detention in East Timor |
|
A Chinese-Malay
businessman being held in East Timor´s Becora Prison pending police
investigation of alleged criminal and border control offences was released
last week following a successful Habeas Corpus action before the Dili
District Court.(JSMP 11 July) Read
More
|
| |
| U.S.
Allows Continuing Military Aid to Some ICC Signatories |
| President
Bush has issued waivers allowing continuing military aid to 22 countries
that signed the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court
(ICC), and subsequently signed Article 98 agreements exempting U.S. personnel
from war crimes prosecution.(NNN July) Read
More |
| |
| Court
of Appeal Recommences in East Timor |
|
After eighteen
months delay the Court of Appeal in East Timor recommenced operation this
week. Until Monday of this week no appeals from the Special Panels for
Serious Crimes or the nations' four district courts have been heard ,
resulting in a backlog of approximately 80 cases. (JSMP 02 July)
Read More
|
| |
| East
Timor: PM slams branding of immigration bill as 'unconstitutional' |
East
Timor`s prime minister, Mari Alkatiri,
criticized Tuesday the earlier pronouncement by Dili's Court of Appealthat
a draft immigration and asylum bill is unconstitutional.(Lusa 01 July) Read
More |
| |
| Claims
that Army Fuelled E.Timor Atrocities are "Fantasy": General |
|
A general
on trial before a human rights court on Tuesday rejected allegations that
troops fuelled the 1999 atrocities in East Timor as "fantasy."(
AFP 01 July) Read
More
|
| |
| Amnesty
faults E. Timor police force for detentions, beatings |
|
An international
rights group criticised East Timor's new police force for arbitrary detentions,
beating some detainees and a trigger-happy response to last December's
riots in which three people died.(AI 01 July) Read
More
|
| |
| JSMP
Applauds Court of Appeal Decision on Immigration Law |
|
The Judicial
System Monitoring Programme today applauded the finding of the Court of
Appeal in East Timor that sections of the Immigration and Asylum Law are
unconstitutional.( JSMP 01 July) Read
More
|
| |
| Timor-Leste:
New Police not yet Capable of Maintaining Law and Order and Protecting Human
Rights. |
|
Despite
significant progress, the National Police Service of Timor-Leste (PNTL)
remains a fragile and underdeveloped institution which is not yet adequately
trained, equipped, or sufficiently well- supported, to maintain law and
order in a manner consistent with international human rights standards,
Amnesty International said in a report published today. (AI 01 July) Read
More
|
| |
| U.S.
Congress Demonstrates Strong Support for Justice for East Timor |
|
Members
of both chambers of Congress have urged the Bush administration to act
to ensure justice for the many serious crimes committed in East Timor
during Indonesia's illegal occupation. The Senate and House letters were
sent yesterday as the Indonesian ad hoc Human Rights Court for East Timor
prepares to issue its final verdict for crimes against humanity committed
in East Timor in 1999, expected July 1.( Etan 27 June) Read
More
|
| |
| SERIOUS
CRIMES UNIT UPDATE VI/03 |
| The
Serious Crimes Unit (SCU) was established by the United Nations Transitional
Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) following UN Security Council Resolution
1272 (1999). As mandated by the United Nations Security Council, the Serious
Crimes Unit is responsible for conducting investigations and preparing indictments
to assist in bringing to justice those responsible for serious crimes in
East Timor in 1999.( SCU 25 June) Read
More |
| |
| New
Police Chief Arrives to Credibility Crisis |
|
Australian
Federal Police officer Sandra Peisley arrived in Dili this week with the
unenviable task of commanding UNPOL, the troubled United Nations police
force criticised by East Timorese and expatriates alike.(Jill Jolliffe
27 June) Read More
|
| |
Timor
trials debacle raises fear of increased military oppression in West
Papua |
|
The disastrous
failure of Indonesia's ad hoc human rights
court for East Timor to provide justice for the victims of human rights
atrocities in East Timor has heightened fears of increased military oppression
in areas such as West Papua.(UK 26 June) Read
More
|
| |
| East
Timor: Be Wary of Crime, US Gov't Tells its Nationals |
|
The United
States Department of State has renewed its advice for American citizens
traveling to East Timor to "exercise extreme caution" and "remain
alert".( Lusa 25 June) Read
More
|
| |
| Bright
Dawn, Dark Days In Timor |
|
East Timor
won huge goodwill as it launched into independence. But Asia- Pacific
editor Rowan Callick has discovered, in investigating a deeply troubled
Australian venture there, that the tasks of winning business confidence
and creating the rule of law are, for now, proving too hard.(JIN 23 June)
Read More
|
| |
| Legal
and Rights Experts Draw Up Draft Laws For Post Conflict Situations |
|
Legal and
human rights experts meeting in Geneva have presented acting United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan with groundbreaking
draft legislation for use in post-conflict justice systems.(David Marshall
19 June) Read More
|
| |
| U.S.
questions RI's will to prosecute rights cases |
| The
United States has expressed concern over Indonesia's apparent lack of will
to prosecute military personnel implicated in past human rights abuses,saying
it would hamper the democracy that has flourished in the country since 1998.(JP
18 June) Read
More |
| |
| Gusmão
Awarded Human Rights Prize |
|
On Monday
the European Council in Lisbon awarded President Gusmão the North-South
Prize, an award to distinguish contributors for development, human rights
and democracy. (STL, ABC 17 June) Read
More
|
| |
| Timor
Leste won't push for war crimes tribunal |
|
Indonesa
has shown real statesmanship in its dealings with Timor Leste, the latter's
Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said during a visit to Singapore.(ST
15 June)
Read More
|
| |
| East
Timor: PM Alkatiri wants Amnesty For Crimes of 1999 |
|
East
Timor`s prime minister, Mari Alkatiri,called Thursday for an amnesty for
prisoners currently serving sentences in Timorese jails for crimes committed
around the time of the territory`s 1999 bloody independence ballot.(Lusa
12 June) Read
More
|
| |
| BMP
Militia Member Released From Pre-Trial Detention |
|
The Special
Panel for Serious Crimes of the Dili District Court in East Timor on Monday
ordered the release of an alleged former militia member from pre-trial
detention pending the relisting of his case for trial hearing. ( JSMP
12 June) Read More
|
| |
| East
Timor Foreign Minister: Won't Push For Intl Tribunal |
|
East Timor
Wednesday said it wouldn't take the lead
in pushing for an international tribunal to try Indonesian officers accused
over the destruction of the country in 1999, saying any trial was the
responsibility of the international community.(AP 11 June) Read
More
|
| |
| E
Timor PM Call For Intl Tribunal Draws Fire From Jakarta |
|
East Timor's
prime minister drew fire from Jakarta Tuesday after resuming his call
for an international tribunal to try Indonesian officers for alleged rights
abuses during the country's bloody fight for independence.(AP 10 June)
Read More
|
| |
| Sakunar
Militia Leader in East Timor Sentenced for Crimes Against Humanity |
|
A former
militia commander from Oecussi East Timor, today was sentenced to seven
years for one count of murder as a crime against humanity in the Special
Panel for Serious Crimes of the Dili District Court in East Timor. Quelo
Mauno (otherwise known as Agostinho Atolan) aged approximately 42, was
the commander of the Sakunar Militia in Naetuna village, Passable sub-district,
Oecussi in 1999. He was arrested in November 2002 and charged with the
murder of Domingos Kolo who was found stabbed to death following his capture
by the Sakunar militia in September 1999 during the violence which erupted
following the East Timorese vote for independence in the Popular Consultation.(JSMP
09 June) Read More
|
| |
| 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.(Etan 09 June) Read
More
|
| |
| Indonesia
Wants to Acquit General in Human Rights Case |
|
Indonesian
prosecutors told a human rights
court this week that one of the nation's most senior military officers
was not guilty of crimes against humanity during the violence that engulfed
East Timor four years ago, and they asked that he be acquitted of all
charges. (Time 7 June) Read
More
|
| |
| East
Timor needs international tribunal |
|
GREEN BAY
-- An international tribunal is needed for East Timor. Recent verdicts
on Indonesia's sham trials absurdly misrepresent the carnage of 1999 as
a conflict between different Timorese factions instead of being what they
orchestrated. Many of those accused didn't even show up for their own
day in court. Plus, they ignored the 23 years of previous illegal occupation.(Green
Bay 05 June)
Read More
|
| |
| Prosecutor
demands court clears general |
|
An Indonesian
prosecutor yesterday demanded a court acquit a top general on trial over
violence in East Timor in 1999, saying it had not been proved that he
was guilty of committing crimes against humanity.( Age 6 June) Read
More
|
| |
| SCU:
Crimes Against Humanity Indictment Charges Indonesian Aitarak Militia Commander
Beny Ludji and Aitarak Members With Murder |
|
The Acting
Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimesfiled two new indictments
with the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at Dili District Court in Timor
Leste.(SCU 04 June) Read
More
|
| |
| JSMP
Welcomes New Appointments to The Courts |
|
The justice
system in East Timor has been bolstered this week by the swearing-in of
two new international Judges to the Special Panel for Serious Crimes Division
of the Dili District Court and the swearing in of a new International
Judge to the bench of the reconstituted Court of Appeal in East Timor.(JSMP
03 June) Read More
|
| |
| RI
seeks clarification of E. Timor PM's call for rights tribunal |
|
Indonesia
sought clarification Monday of reports that the
East Timorese prime minister has called for an international tribunal
to delve into atrocities by Indonesian troops in 1999.(JP. 02 June) Read
More
|
| |
| East
Timor cases will always haunt RI: Activist |
| Pressure
for the establishment of an international tribunal to try Indonesian Military
personnel accused of gross human rights violations in East Timor will never
end following the poor result of a series of trials by the country's ad
hoc human rights tribunal, an activist says.(JP 02 June)
Read More |
| |
| East
Timor PM Wants International Tribunal To Try Indonesian Officers |
|
The prime
minister Friday called for the establishment of an international tribunal
in a neutral country to try Indonesian military officers for the bloodshed
that swept East Timor when it voted to break from Jakarta in 1999.(Ap
30 May) Read More
|
| |
| Amnesty
criticises Indonesia on Aceh, Papua and Timor |
|
Indonesia
made some progress on reforms in 2002 but the human rights situation in
Aceh and Papua was grave, and trials over human rights violations in East
Timor were unsatisfactory, Amnesty International said on Wednesday.(Reuters
28 May) Read
More
|
| |
| Dili
Case Exposes Jitters Among Foreign Investors |
| A
court case in which a bodyguard of East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri
is said to have kicked a Chinese-Malaysian businessman, calling him a monkey,
is being closely watched by foreign investors.(The Age 28 May) Read
More |
| |
| Amnesty
International Report about East Timor |
Human
rights were widely debated during the drafting process of the Constitution
which was adopted prior to independence in May. The newly independent government
inherited an institutional and legal framework which was incomplete and
unable to protect human rights fully. The rights of victims and suspects,
including children, were undermined by the weak
justice system and the police used excessive force in response to public
disturbances. Delays and inconsistencies in the administration of justice
contributed to security problems in prisons. There was continued reliance
on non-official justice mechanisms which were not always applied in a manner
consistent with international standards for fair trial. Women and other
vulnerable groups were at particular risk of discrimination in this system.(AI
Jan-Dec) Read More |
| |
| Dili
Case Exposes Jitters Among Foreign Investors |
| A
court case in which a bodyguard of East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri
is said to have kicked a Chinese-Malaysian businessman, calling him a monkey,
is being closely watched by foreign investors.(The Age 28 May 2003) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor: Militias may escape justice over 1999 atrocities |
| The
U-N Special Crimes Unit in East Timor has charged former militia commander,
Joao Tavares, and four Indonesian TNI, or military, officers for atrocities
in the territory before and after a UN sponsored vote for independence from
Indonesia in August 1999. They are among 32 people, including 15 TNI soldiers,
accused of murder, torture, persecution and other crimes. No arrests have
been made and with all of those indicted living in Indonesia, there are
serious doubts that they will ever face an East Timorese court.(APP 26 May)
Read
More
|
| |
| Call
for International Tribunal, Regardless of Indonesian Court Verdicts |
More than ninety leading religious leaders and organizations
from across the U.S. released a statement today urging the U.S. government
to support the establishment of an international tribunal for East Timor.
The statement follows the last week's acquittal by an Indonesian court of
former Indonesian military commander Brigadier General Tono Suratman for
crimes against humanity committed in East Timor in 1999.(Etan 26 May)
Read More
|
| |
| Indonesia
General Suratman Acquitted Of Abuses In East Timor |
|
An Indonesian
court Thursday acquitted a former Indonesian military commander in East
Timor accused of not preventing massacres during the country's bloody
struggle for independence in 1999.(Ap 22 May) Read
More
|
| |
|
Sakunar
Militia Leader in East Timor PleadsGuilty to Crimes Against Humanity
|
| A
former militia commander from Oecussi East Timor, today pleaded guilty to
one count of murder as a crime against humanity before the Special Panel
for Serious Crimes of the Dili District Court in East Timor. (JSMP.22 May)
Read More |
| |
| The
International Federation for East Timor (IFET) urged the UN Security Council
to establish an International Tribunal |
| May
20, 2003 - On the first anniversary of the new country's independence, the
International Federation for East Timor (IFET) urged the UN Security Council
to establish an international tribunal to try the masterminds of war crimes
and crimes against humanity committed in the territory from 1975 to 1999.(IFET
20 May) Read More |
| |
| East
Timor Action Network Urges Gifts of Justice and Fairness on Country's First
Birthday |
| With
the approach of the first anniversary of East Timor's independence, the
East Timor Action Network (ETAN) today called on the U.S. government to
actively support an international tribunal for East Timor. ETAN also urged
the Australian government to honor the resource rights of the new nation
by promptly and fairly negotiating maritime boundaries between the two countries.
East Timor will celebrate one year of independence on Tuesday, May 20.(
Etan 17 May) Read More |
| |
| JSMP
Reviews Justice in Dili District Court |
|
Judges
and lawyers in Dili District Court are failing to follow East Timor's
law-undermining the rights and interests of all people using the court
system- according to a report released today by East Timor's Judicial
System Monitoring Programme (JSMP). ( JSMP 15 May) Read
More
|
| |
| Address
by DR. Claudio de Jesus Ximenes on the occasion of the swaring-in ceremony
of the President of the Court of Appeal |
| It
is a matter of great honour for me to take on the functions of President
of the highest instance of the Courts of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste,
and to participate, particularly in my capacity as a Timorese citizen, in
the establishment of the justice system of my country.(RDTL 13 May) Read
More |
| |
| Tono's
verdict to be delivered May 23, |
|
The ad-hoc
human rights tribunal is scheduled to deliver on May 23 the verdict of
former East Timor Military Commander Brig. Gen. Tono Suratman, who is
accused of failing to prevent a spate of human rights abuses before and
after the 1999 self-determination ballot in East Timor.(Jak Post 09 May)
Read More
|
| |
| President
of the Court of Appeal to be Sworn in on Monday |
| On
Monday 12th May at 16.30, H.E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will
swear in the President of the Court of Appeal, Dr. Cláudio de Jesus
Ximenes, at the same building where the Court of Appeal will function, in
Caicoli, Dili.(RDTL 10 May) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor: CIIR staff member speaks at Truth and Reconciliation Commission |
|
CIIR women's
advocacy officer for East Timor Ivete D'Oliveira reports on her submission
to East Timor's Truth and Reconciliation Commission on 28 April: The Truth
and Reconciliation Commission brought together 20 women survivors from
villages and districts to give their testimonies about the crimes that
happened to them under Indonesian occupation from 1974 to 1999. (CAVR
06 May) Read More
|
| |
| Army
major general skips two rights court hearings |
Maj.
Gen. Adam Damiri still holds an important position in the Indonesia
Military (TNI) despite his status as a defendant in the country's ad hoc
human rights tribunal.(Jak.Post 07 May) Read
More |
| |
| Women
and Conflict National Public Hearing. |
Timorese
women recently completed two days exposing the realities of human rights
violations against women in East Timor over the 25 years of political conflict
and war between 1974-1999. In a national public hearing conducted by the
Commission on Reception Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR), for the first time
in Timor Leste's history women were given centre-stage
to tell of their experiences.(CAVR 28-29 April) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor: Concern over future of Serious Crimes Unit |
| East
Timor's Serious Crimes Unit is losing its high profile chief -- Siri Frigaard.She
completes her mission this week, raising concerns about the unit's long
term future. The United Nations is already cutting the number of international
prosecutors from 13 to nine and says it can't guarantee any support for
the project beyond June 2004.(RA 29 April.) Read
More |
| |
| CAVR:
Women In Conflict Hearing |
| The
Commission on Reception Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor (CAVR) will
conduct its third national public hearing in the nation¹s capital Dili
on 28-29 April 2003. Women in Conflict is the theme of this hearing, in
which the CAVR will hear from over 20 women about their experiences, and
about policies and practices which resulted in human rights violations against
women between 1974 and 1999. ( CVAR 23 April.) Read
More |
| |
| Rights
groups denounce UN for betraying victims of atrocities in East Timor |
The
Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR) and TAPOL, the
Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, have condemned the UN Commission on Human
Rights for failing to ensure that the perpetrators of gross violations of
human rights in East Timor are brought to justice and for agreeing to drop
the issue from its agenda next year.(Tapol 25 April.) Read
More |
| |
| Ablai
Militia member conditionally released |
| The
Special Panel for Serious Crimes of the Dili District Court in East Timor
yesterday conditionally released a former Ablai militia member after he
completed two-thirds of a four year sentence for attempted murder on 25
March 2003.(JSMP 24 April) Read
More |
| |
| |
| East
Timor rights trial needs int'l pressure |
| Activists
have urged the international community to ensure that justice is served
against all perpetrators of the gross human rights violations in East Timor,
now that hopes for a fair trial have evaporated.(Jak.Post 24 April) Read
More |
| |
| Chance
for justice fades for East Timor victims |
The
chance to bring justice to the victims of the 1999 human rights
violations in East Timor has vanished, after the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) agreed over the weekend to drop the
agenda from its future meetings.( Jak Post 21 April) Read
More |
| |
| Departure
of international judge means Special Panels for Serious Crimes in East Timor
unable to function |
| With
the departure of Judge Benfeito Mosso Ramos (from Cape Verde) on Sunday
6 April 2003 there are now insufficient judges for the Special Panels for
Serious Crimes to carry out trials in East Timor. Under UNTAET Regulations
the Special Panels must be comprised of two international judges and one
East Timorese judge, with the only remaining international judge being Judge
Sylver Ntukamazina from Burundi. An exception is made for preliminary hearings
and detention hearings.(JSMP 21 April) Read
More |
| |
| Indonesia's
top judge hits out at Amnesty over Timor trial criticism |
| The
head of Indonesia's Supreme Court has hit out at Amnesty International for
describing trials of suspects in the 1999 East Timor violence as "not
honest, truthful or fair," it was reported Thursday.(AFP 17 April)
Read More |
| |
East
Timor: Jakarta trials a farce, UN must act, says Amnesty
International |
Amnesty
International Tuesday denounced
Indonesia's trials of human rights crimes committed in East Timor as
"dishonest, false and unjust", urging the United Nations to set
up an
international court to try Jakarta's atrocities in 1999. (Lusa. 15 April)
Read More |
| |
| Prosecutors
demand ten years' jail for former East Timor military· |
Prosecutors
on Monday asked the Tribunal Court to sentence an
Indonesian general to ten years in prison for crimes against humanity
during East Timor's bloody breakaway from Jakarta in 1999.(Jak.Post 14 April)
Read More |
| |
| |
| Portugal
awards former UN human rights chief Robinson |
Portugal
especially does not forget her fight on behalf of the people of
East Timor, " he added before handing Robinson the Great Cross of the
Order of Christ. (AFP 11 Apri.) Read
More |
| |
| CRIMES
AGAINST HUMANITY RAPE CHARGES FOR FIVE TNI SOLDIERS |
The
Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes filed a new Crimes Against
Humanity indictment with the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at Dili
District Court in East Timor at 1400 on 9 April 2003. The indictment
charges 5 East Timorese TNI soldiers with Crimes Against Humanity? Rape,
Torture and Deportation. (SCU.10
April)
Read More |
| |
| SERIOUS
CRIMES UNIT: INFORMATION RELEASE 9 APRIL 2003 |
The
Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes filed a major crimes
against humanity indictment with the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at
Dili District Court in East Timor at 1400 on 8 April 2003. (SCU 08 April)
Read More |
| |
| Statement
by Ambassador Djismun Kasri, Head of Indonesian Delegation |
The
reform process initiated in 1998 by the Government of Indonesia has seen
some major changes, evidanced among others by a thorough overhaul of the
country's legislation and infrastructures. Nowhere have these changes been
more meaningful than in the field of human rights, which the government
considers crucial and where it has made serious efforts to remedy past
shortcomings. This painstaking process has taken time and will now only
be
completed under the second five-year National Plan of Action, 2003-2008.
But
the are ongoing and a stronger mechanism for their implementation is in
the
course of elaboration.(08 April ) Read
More |
| |
| Lolotoe
case finalized as former militia commander sentenced to 12 years for Crimes
Against Humanity in East Timor |
| On
Saturday 5 April,2003 at 10 am the Special Panel for Serious Crimes of the
Dili District Court sentenced Jose Cardoso Fereira alias Mouzinho to 12
years imprisonment for Crimes Against Humanity. (JSMP 05 April ) (Baca
Bahasa Indonesian
)
Read More |
| |
| Rights
Groups Fault Indonesian Tribunal : Most Acquitted So Far for East Timor
Atrocities; Higher-Ups Avoid Prosecution |
| Indonesia
-- On a recent day in a weathered courthouse in Jakarta sat defendant Tono
Suratman, an army brigadier general accused of failing to prevent two massacres
in East Timor during its bloody breakaway from Indonesia in 1999. (The Washington
Post. 6 April. ) Read
More |
| |
| Diplomat
Pessimistic About Post-War Iraq |
|
As U.S.
ambassador to Croatia at the height of the carnage in the former Yugoslavia,
Peter Galbraith has seen it before _ the ethnic massacres and
retribution killings that poison a nation's future at the very moment
of its liberation. (AP 21 Mar. 2003) Read
More
|
| |
| Freedom's
disappointments |
|
INDEPENDENCE
has turned out to be a bittersweet pill for East Timor. After anti-government
riots last year, the country has now been hit by a wave of militia incursions
from West Timor, which is still part of Indonesia. With the United Nations'
support mission due to leave next year, there is a growing danger that
this experiment in UN nation-building could end up an embarrassing mess.
(Economist 20 Mar 03) Read
More
|
| |
| Ex-Indonesian
Pres: Govt Never Sanctioned Timor Violence |
| Ex-president
B.J. Habibie told a human rights court Thursday that the bloodshed which
swept across East Timor after its independence referendum in 1999 was the
work of criminals, not the result of any order from his administration.
(AP 20 Mar. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Ex-leader
testifies on E Timor |
|
Indonesia's
president at the time of the 1999 independence referendum in East Timor,
BJ Habibie, has been testifying on the bloodshed during the vote. Mr Habibie
denied that his government had attempted to sway the vote by ordering
a violent campaign of intimidation. (BBC 20 Mar. 2003) Read
More
|
| |
| Habibie
Disowns 1999 Killings, Blames "Criminals" |
Former
Indonesian President B.J. Habibie told a human rights court in Jakarta today
that criminals -- not his administration -- were responsible
for the revenge campaign that resulted in the deaths of nearly 2,000 people
following the East Timor independence referendum in 1999. (UNWire 20 Mar.
2003) Read
More |
| |
| Appeal
justices sworn in |
| Supreme
Court Chief Bagir Manan swore in on Monday six appeal justices for the ad
hoc human rights tribunal, to handle cases of human rights defendants acquitted
in the lower courts. (Jak.Post 18 Mar.) Read
More |
| |
| Six
pro-Jakarta militiamen arrested |
| Military
authorities in West Timor have arrested six pro-Jakarta militiamen for their
alleged involvement in last month's ambush of a passenger bus in East Timor
and other acts of violence, agencies reported.(Jak.Post 18 Mar.) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor crimes against humanity perpetrator released, recaptured and released
again |
| After
six days on conditional release from East Timor's Becora prison, Gilberto
Fernandes, previously convicted in the first major crimes against humanity
case in East Timor (the Los Palos case), was re-captured again on 6 March
because he is alleged to have committed another crime in 1999. (JSMP 18
Mar.) Read More |
| |
| Slow
Road to Justice |
| The
young boy returned to the mountain village of Letefoho in fear and disgrace.
He was a child in 1999 when, swept up in the militia violence that followed
East Timor's vote for independence, he burnt down his aunt's house and fled.
When he finally came home this year, the teenager had no idea of what he
would face. He bought new roofing material for his aunt and waited. And
in a public ceremony last month, he apologized to her and to his neighbors,
and was forgiven. (Time.24 Mar) Read
More |
| |
| Church
network urges UN to press ahead with East Timor prosecutions |
| A
network of Christian organisations and churches has called on the United
Nations to take responsibility for the indictment of Indonesian military
officers accused of crimes against humanity in East Timor. (CIIR 18 Mar.
2003) Read
More |
| |
| Appeals
over acquitted East Timor suspects to be filed next month, court says |
| Prosecutors
plan to soon appeal a string of verdicts acquitting Indonesian police and
military officers accused over the violence that swept East Timor (news
- web sites) during its break from Indonesia in 1999, a court spokesman
said Monday. (AP 17 Mar. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Old
grievances fester as the justice system stalls |
| In
the mist of East Timor's central mountains, Florindo Soares explains why
he helped kill his neighbour's brother 25 years ago. Outside the schoolhouse,
a bird of prey circles majestically over a lake backed by lush rainforest,
like an omen. (SCMP 13 Mar 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Bright
hopes, bitter reality: East Timor after independence |
|
Small boys
play on a rusting warship off Dili harbour, the detritus of war that has
become their home. On the beach, men scavenge for rubbish they can use
or sell. (SCMP 13 Mar 2003) Read
More
|
| |
| Presidential
Decree: Nomination of DR. Claudio de Jesus Ximenes as the presidentof the
Court of Appeal of Timor -Leste |
| In
a move to further develop and structure the Judiciary in Timor-Leste, H.E.
President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão issued decree no.04/2003 of 10th
March, 2003 nominating Dr.Cláudio de Jesus Ximenes as the President
of the Court of Appeal of Timor-Leste.(RDTL 12 Mar.) Read
More |
| |
| Indonesian
Army General Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison |
| An
Indonesian general was sentenced Wednesday to five years in jail for failing
to prevent two bloody attacks against civilians during East Timor's break
with Indonesia in 1999. (AP 12 Mar.) Read
More |
| |
| Habibie
to testify in Timor human-rights trial |
| Former
Indonesian president B.J. Habibie is to testify at a human-rights court
hearing cases of atrocities in Timor Leste in 1999, a report said yesterday.
(AFP 11 Mar.) Raed
More |
| |
| Armed
gangs represent 'real threat' to security - UNMISET |
| Armed
gangs, including former anti- independence militiamen, represent a "real
threat" to East Timor's security, the UN mission in Dili said Wednesday.
(Lusa 5 Mar.) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor Creates New Post Of Vice Prime Minister |
| East
Timor on Wednesday created a new post of vice prime minister in a bid to
boost government efficiency in the world's newest nation. (AP 5 Mar.) Read
More |
| |
| Ex-Los
Palos militia conditionally released |
| The
Dili Special Panel for Serious Crimes has conditionally released a former
Los Palos militia member after he completed two-thirds of the five year
sentence for torture he received in the 2001 Los Palos crimes against humanity
case.(JSMP 03 Mar.) (Indonesian)
Read
More |
| |
| Working
group to look at strengthening PNTL as an institution |
| The
Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor- Leste, Ambassador
Kamalesh Sharma, today welcomed the findings of the Joint Assessment Mission
(JAM) on PNTL [Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste] and reaffirmed UNMISET's
commitment to assist the RDTL government in the establishment of a police
force that is democratic, professional, efficient, politically independent
and sustainable. (UNMISET 3 Mar.) Read More |
| |
|
PM says
gov't probe of December riot is now criminal investigation
|
| Prime
Minister Mari Alkatiri said Monday that separate government and parliamentary
inquiries into a Dili riot last December, that caused two deaths, have been
handed over to judicial authorities to begin criminal investigations. (Lusa
3 Mar. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Serious
Crimes Unit Indicts 48 More Suspects |
|
The joint
U.N.-Timorese Serious Crimes Unit raised diplomatic tensions with Indonesia
once again by issuing an indictment today for 48 Timorese and Indonesians
it has charged with crimes against humanity in 1999, including former
East Timor police chief Timbul Silaen and infamous militia leader Eurico
Guterres. (UNWire 1 March 2003) Read
More
|
| |
| Gusmao
Calls Indictment Of Wiranto A "Mistake" |
| East
Timorese President Xanana Gusmao said today that he regretted that the independent
Serious Crimes Unit had indicted Wiranto, saying it would harm the relationship
between East Timor and Indonesia, but noted that he cannot intervene in
the prosecution. "They did not inform me, it's not East Timor policy,"
he said. "I regret (the indictment) but I could not simply ask prosecutors
to drop their charges as the General Prosecutors Office is an independent
institution". (UNWire 1 March 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Peacekeepers
Clash With Armed Group |
|
Following
a firefight between U.N. peacekeepers and members of an armed gang believed
to be behind an ambush of civilians close to East Timor's
border with Indonesia Monday, U.N. forces detained two of the gunmen yesterday.
(UNWire 1 March 2003) Read
More
|
| |
|
East
Timor indicts former police chief, others, over 1999 atrocities
|
| Prosecutors
in East Timor on Friday indicted the territory's former police chief and
three ex-militia leaders for crimes against humanity during the territory's
bloody breakaway from Indonesia in 1999. (AFP 28 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Police
chief, infamous militia boss indicted for 1999 war crimes |
| East
Timor's attorney general's office indicted Friday the territory's former
police chief, a militia leader and several dozen Timorese and Indonesians
for crimes against humanity during Timor's 1999 bloody independence ballot.
(Lusa 28 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Indonesia's
General Wiranto Claims Innocence, Prepares Presidential Bid |
|
Indonesia's
former Defense Minister General Wiranto is protesting his innocence of
charges that he committed war crimes in East Timor in an
effort to prevent it from breaking free of Indonesia. (VOA 28 Feb. 2003)
Read
More
|
| |
| Drought
hampers recovery effort |
|
The drought
may be finally breaking in Australia, but in East Timor continuing drought
is causing severe problems. A number of children have already died and
the current weather conditions are hampering the recovery effort in several
parts of the country. (ABC 28 Feb.) Read
More
|
| |
|
Xanana
regrets E. Timor indictment against Wiranto
|
| East
Timor President Xanana Gusmao said on Friday that he regretted East Timor
prosecutors indictment against former Indonesia military chief Gen. (ret)
Wiranto but he could not intervene (in) the prosecution, Elshinta radio
reported. (Jak. Post 28 Feb.) Read
More |
| |
| Wiranto
defiant as East Timor presses charges |
|
Indonesia's
former Defence Minister and Army Chief, General Wiranto, has hit back
at charges filed yesterday in East Timor which accuse him of crimes against
humanity. (ABC 27 March 2003) Read
More
|
| |
| No
more safe haven for Wiranto |
| The
failure of Indonesia's rights tribunal to bow to international demands for
the prosecution of the alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses in East
Timor has prompted the indictment of several high-ranking officers, including
former military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto, observers said. (Jak.Post 27 Feb.)
Read More |
| |
| East
Timor: Two alleged ambush suspects detained by UN peacekeepers |
| Two
members of an armed gang believed to be responsible for a vehicle ambush
Monday near Dili that caused two deaths were arrested Thursday after an
exchange of fire with peacekeeping troops, the UN mission in East Timor
announced. (Lusa 27 Feb 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Atabae
attacks: one suspect in custody |
| One
man is being kept under PKF custody this evening in connection with the
recent fatal attacks in Atabae (Bobonaro District). Fijian troops attached
to the Australian Battalion of PKF came across an armed group trying to
cross the Mota Loes river while conducting a search patrol this afternoon.
(UNMISET 27 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor: Leaders to meet Monday on inquiries into December riots |
| East
Timor's president, parliament speaker and prime minister will meet Monday
to analyze inquiries into the deadly riots in Dili last December, a government
official told Lusa Thursday. (Lusa 27 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor: Ex-Indonesian military chief denies 1999 war crimes |
| Indonesia's
former armed forces chief, who was indicted this week for crimes against
humanity, denied Wednesday that he had committed any wrongdoing in East
Timor during the territory's violent independence referendum in 1999. (Lusa
26 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| East
Timor: Gusmao supports Dili's indictments |
| The
indictment by the Dili authorities against eight senior Indonesian officers
and officials for crimes against humanity is in keeping with principles
of justice, East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao said Tuesday. (Lusa 25
Feb.) Read More |
| |
| Noted
religious leaders call for cessation of current E. Timor rights trials |
Noted
religious leaders grouped in the National Moral Movement (GMN) called
on the government to halt the East Timor human rights trials, claiming that
they were politically motivated.(Jak.Post 20 Feb.) Read
More |
| |
| Inauguration
of CRTR Building, Testimonies of Former Prisoners |
| During
the official opening of the office of the Commission of Reception Truth
and Reconciliation (CRTR) in Dili on Monday, President Gusmão stated
"I hope that this building, so long steeped in tragedy, can be a living
centre to document the history of East Timor... so that young people can
learn about the past and? make a commitment to protect human rights forever".
The CRTR will operate in the renovated Balide prison, built by the Portuguese
and used as a prison to torture thousand during the 24 years Indonesian
occupation.(The Age 18 Feb) Read
More |
| |
| Torture
jail now a peace centre |
| President
Xanana Gusmao, East Timor's most famous former prisoner, yesterday inaugurated
a former torture chamber as a reconciliation centre, with a wish that torture
would never again occur in East Timor. (The Age 18 Feb.)
Read More |
| |
| Indonesian
officer says he tried to prevent East Timor massacres |
| A
former Indonesian military chief for East Timor said Monday he tried to
prevent massacres in East Timor in September 1999 and that none of his own
men were involved. (AFP 17 Feb.) Read
More |
| |
| SRSG
attends inauguration of CAVR National Office |
| The
Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Ambassador
Kamalesh Sharma, said today that the work of peace-building is ongoing and
often difficult, and can only be conducted by the people of Timor Leste.
(UNMISET 17 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Bobonaro
Residents Worried About Group Activities |
| Residents
of Bobonaro District are concerned with the alleged resumption of activities
of Kolimau 2000 in that area reported STL on Monday. (STL 17 Feb. 2003)
Read
More |
| |
| Rights
groups to ask for UN intervention in E. Timor trial |
| A
coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will use the occasion
of the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR)
in Geneva next month to press for international intervention in the ongoing
East Timor human rights trials. (Jak. Post 15 Feb.) Read
More |
| |
| Former
Indonesian military chief testifies over Timor atrocities |
| Former
Indonesian military chief General Wiranto on Thursday defended his record
over East Timor's bloody 1999 breakaway from Jakarta, saying he had helped
prevent a civil war there.(AFP 13 Feb.) Read
More |
| |
| DENMARK
DONATES U$ 50,000 FOR BECORA REPAIRS |
| The
Danish Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Geert Aagaard Andersen, today announced
that Denmark will donate U$ 50,000 to help with the reconstruction of Becora
Prison in Dili. Becora's main administrative building was totally destroyed
by a fire which broke out in the prison last month [19th January]. (UNMISET
12 Feb.) Read More
|
| |
| Judicial
Support System in Timor-Leste Is Very Weak |
| Referring
to criticism according to which UNTAET did not pay attention to the judicial
area, mainly on what capacity building is concerned, Cirilo Cristovão,
a judge of Dili Court told
STL that one of the priorities of UNTAET was the establishment of the judicial
system, that the mission tried hard but did not succeed. (STL 12 Feb.)
Read
More |
| |
| Foreigners
charged with smuggling |
A
judge yesterday [10th February] sentenced three foreigners to 30 days'
imprisonment and ordered that they pay tax on items that they were
smuggling into Timor-Leste before they can be released.(UNMISET
11 Feb.) Read More |
| |
| Indonesian
prosecutor seeks 10 years' jail for former Timor commander |
| A
prosecutor asked Indonesia's human rights court to jail the former military
commander of East Timor for 10 years for failing to prevent massacres in
the territory in 1999.(AFP 5 Feb 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Militia
leader charged with murder, torture |
| United
Nations investigators have indicted ageing militia chieftain Joao Tavares
and two senior Indonesian officers for crimes against humanity committed
in the Maliana district of East Timor in 1999. (SMH 5 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| UN
Indicts 15 Indonesia Soldiers For E Timor War Crimes |
| The
United Nations on Tuesday indicted 32 people - including 15 Indonesian soldiers
- for murdering and torturing East Timorese during the country's bloody
break with Indonesia in 1999. (Associated Press 4 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Superior
Council of Judicial Magistrate Established: Vice-Minister Sarmento |
| Vice-Minister
of Justice, Domingos Sarmento announced on Tuesday the establishing of the
Superior Council of Judicial Magistrate.(STL 4 Feb 2003.)
Read More |
| |
| RDTL
Government and UNMISET agree continued deployment of F-FDTL in Ermera |
| The
RDTL government and UNMISET have agreed to extend the temporary hand-over
of defence responsibilities in the Ermera sub-districts of Atsabe and Hatolia
to the F-FDTL for a further period of 2 weeks. (UNMISET 1 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Threatened
Timorese town seeks troops |
| The
United Nations is in a quandary after insecure border villagers demanded
that it extend a controversial military operation that has resulted in mass
arrests. (SMH 1 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| DSRSG:
'Success of F-FDTL in Ermera shows how F-FDTL and PKF can work together
to protect people' |
| The
Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Mr
Sukehiro Hasegawa, said today that “the successful outcome of F-FDTL’s
engagement in the Ermera District demonstrates the confidence and trust
it has earned within a short period of time among people and how F-FDTL
can work together with PKF in protecting people in remote areas against
possible external threats.” (UNMISET 1 Feb. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| DSRSG
visits ATSABE: 'If you and your government wish F-FDTL to stay on, the UN
will consider such request' |
| The
Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Mr
Sukehiro Hasegawa, today told community leaders and residents of Atsabe
(a sub-district of Ermera) that Timor-Leste is now an independent and sovereign
country and it is up to its people and government to decide how best the
UN can assist them. (UNMISET 31 Jan. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Government
Will Not Dialogue With "Bandits": PM |
| After
meeting with President Gusmão, Prime Minister Alkatiri told the media
that the government would not be dialogue with "bandits who are members
of Kolimau 2000".Alkatiri said that to abolish the group would not
necessarily mean to kill them, but to sentence those involved in crimes,
reported Timor Post. (Timor Post, Suara Timor Lorosae 31 Jan. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| DSRSG
meets with Hatolia residents |
| The
Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Mr
Sukehiro Hasegawa, told community leaders and residents in Hatolia (a sub-district
of Ermera) today that the role of UNMISET is different from that of its
predecessor, UNTAET. (UNMISET 30 Jan.) Read
More |
| |
| UN
police chief defies local anger |
| The
United Nations' police chief in East Timor is refusing to resign despite
criticism from Fretilin government officials over his handling of riots
in December. (The Age 30 Jan.) Read
More |
| |
| PKF
support police operation in Lakalese |
| PKF
soldiers assisted local police in the arrest of 13 people in the village
of Lakalese (approximately 10km north west of Suai) yesterday morning. (UNMISET
30 Jan.) Read
More |
| |
| Attorney
General of RDTL, Longhinos Monteiro's Interview |
|
There are three elements in the causes of the Incidents of 4 December. (Talitakum
- 29 Jan 03.) Read
More |
| |
| Insecurity
Complex |
| Australian
peacekeepers have finally broken their silence about recent militia raids
into East Timor. Deputy Force Commander of the East Timor Peacekeepers (PKF),
Brigadier General Justin Kelly, has admitted the raiders, who killed five
people in the Atsabe region, entered the country through the Australian
sector. (The Bulletin 29 Jan.) Read
More |
| |
|
PKF support
to police at Fohorem
|
| PKF
soldiers assisted local police in the detention of seven people in the village
of Laktos (approximately 15km from Suai) yesterday afternoon. (UNMISET 28
Jan.) Read
More
|
| |
| East
Timor clergyman says soldiers among 1999 church attackers |
| Father
Raphael dos Santos, an East Timorese priest, said on Thursday Indonesian
Military soldiers and policemen were among the attackers of his refugee-packed
church in the town of Liquica in April 1999.
(Jan.24.Jak.Post)
Read More |
| |
| Unleash
diggers on militia: E Timor |
| EAST
Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta wants Australia's UN peacekeepers
to be involved in joint operations with the East Timor Defence Force to
combat Indonesian military-backed militia raids on the fledgling country.
(Australian 23 Jan. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| More
Australian soldiers not needed: Gusmao |
| President
Xanana Gusmao has denied a report that East Timor is seeking increased Australian
military involvement in the territory to curb militia infiltrations from
West Timor. (The Age 23 Jan.) Read
More |
| |
| Taur:
Victims are not Protected |
| As
expected, the accusations by the Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP)
and the UNPOL Commissioner Piter Miller, regarding the violation of human
rights committed by Falintil-FDTL, received a strong reaction from the FDTL
Military Commander, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak. (Suara Timor Lorosae
22 Jan) Read
More |
| |
| Border
Raiders |
| On
the night of January 4 in Atsabe, a small East Timorese village 30km from
the Indonesian border, gunmen surrounded the house of the village head.
One of them entered and shot dead the only occupant, the chief's nephew.
(The Bulletin 22 Jan. 2003) Read
More |
| |
| Former
police chief sentenced to jail over East Timor violence |
| The
ad hoc human rights tribunal sentenced former chief of Dili Police to three
years in jail involving the 1999 East Timor's bloody break. (Jan.20 Jak.Post)
Read More |
| |
East
Timor: Fire destroys Dili prison administration, blaze appears
accidental |
| A
big fire destroyed the administrative building of suburban Dili's Becora
prison, the country's largest, Monday and officials said initial investigations
indicated the blaze had started accidentally.( Jan.20.Lusa) Read
More. |
| |
| JSMP
concerned about illegal detentions in East Timor |
| JSMP:
Thirty one men have been illegally detained in Becora prison in Dili since
10 January, according to investigations by East Timorese rights organisation
Judicial System Monitoring Programme. (Jan.16 JSMP). Read
More |
| |
| PM
Alkatiri mulls revamped executive - gov't sources |
| Prime
Minister Mari Alkatiri is studying a possible restructuring of East Timor's
government ministries to improve their functioning and the performance of
ministers, official sources said Thursday. (Jan.16 Lusa) Read
More |
| |
| Gusmao
Suggests Extending U.N. Peacekeeping Mandate |
East
Timorese President Xanana Gusmao said yesterday that it may be
necessary to extend the mandate of the 5,000-soldier U.N. peacekeeping
force in East Timor beyond June 2004, its scheduled end, in light of
continued instability on the island. (Jan. 16 UNWIRE) Read
More |
| |
| Refugees
find a home on another island |
Some
of the 28,000 East Timorese who remain in West Timor after fleeing the
carnage that followed East Timor's 1999 vote for independence will soon
be
leaving the island altogether. (Jan. 16 The Age/SMH) Read
More |
| |
| Captured
ex-militia says seven armed groups infiltrated in December |
A
captured former anti-independence militiaman has told interrogators in Dili
that at least seven armed groups
infiltrated East Timor from Indonesia in December, according to two reports
obtained by Lusa Tuesday. (Jan. 14 Lusa) Read
More |
| |
| Indonesia's
rights court postpones verdict on ex-Dili police chief |
| An
Indonesian human rights court Monday postponed handing down its verdict
on the former police chief in the East Timor capital Dili because of failure
to reach agreement. Read
More. |
| |
| A
law unto themselves |
| The
trials of Indonesian army officers accused of involvement in East Timor
massacres have descended into farce. Once again, the military is seen as
getting away with murder. (Jan 11. SMH) Read
More |
| |
| Crimes
in East Timor unpunished |
IT
IS hard to feel sanguine about the latest acquittal of the Indonesian
Human Rights Tribunal, which has been hearing charges against TNI (Indonesian
armed forces) officers and militia leaders in relation to events in East
Timor
in 1999. Read More.
|
| |
| US
in the dock over international justice |
Last
year was an historic one for international justice -it brought
the long-awaited establishment of a permanent International Criminal
Court (ICC) in The Hague. Read
More. |
| |
| Indonesia
Military Officer Gets 5 Yrs For E Timor Crimes |
A
court Friday sentenced a senior military commander
to five years imprisonment for human rights violations during East Timor's
break from Jakarta in 1999, the first time an Indonesian security official
has been convicted over the violence. Read
More. |
| |
| Human
rights court hears first televised testimony from East Timor |
| A
human rights court trying an Indonesian army general heard the first live
televised testimony Monday from witnesses in East Timor.In a broadcast funded
by the World Bank, a former Indonesian soldier and a former police detective
gave separate accounts of deadly attacks on a church in Suai town and the
Dili Catholic church diocese offices in September, 1999. Read
More |
| |
| Timor
Leste Celebrates Human Rights day and Signs international Rights Treaties
|
| International
Human Rights Day was celebrated today in Timor Leste with an early morning
mass in Dili, a festive parade with marching band and a formal signing ceremony
by the Timor Leste Government of all seven core international human rights
treaties. Read More. |
| |
| JSMP:
Nineteen conditionally released, nine remanded following police station
hearings in Dili
|
| Following
the violent demonstrations in Dili last week police arrested 77 people on
suspicion of looting and rioting. Detainees were held in a makeshift cell
in Tasi Tolu and at Dili Police Station. Subsequently, 67 detainees were
released on Thursday and Friday last week.
Read More |
| |
| JSMP:
First Minor sentenced by the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in East Timor |
| On
Monday, the Special Panel of the Dili District Court in East Timor sentenced
the first minor to be tried by that court.The minor, whose name is not permitted
to be published, was found guilty of three counts of murder in violation
of article 338 of the Indonesian Penal Code, and sentenced to a period of
imprisonment of 12 months.Read
More. |
| |
| Former
Timor bishop Belo to testify |
| Nobel
peace prizewinner and former East Timor bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo is due
to testify this month to Indonesia's human rights court via a televised
link, a court spokesman said."I have received information that Bishop
Belo's testimony will be conducted through tele-conference," said Judge
Andi Samsan Nganro. Read More
|
| |
| Police
and Rights Officials Address Baucau Violence |
| In
a press conference at UNMISET headquarters today, Timor-Leste Police Service
(TLPS) Commissioner Paulo Martins, UN Police (UNPOL) Commissioner Peter
Miller and the Chief of UNMISET's Human Rights Unit, Patrick Burgess answered
questions about the on-going investigation into the 25 November violence
in the Baucau area that left one Timorese dead. Read
More. |
| |
| Indonesian
Human Rights Court Acquits 4 in East Timor Killings |
An
Indonesian human rights court has acquitted four former security officials,
including two army officers, on charges of crimes against humanity during
the bloodshed that engulfed East Timor three
years ago. Read
More. |
| |
| Investigation
Launched Into a Death Arising From Last Monday's Violence In Baucau |
| UNMISET
announced today that it has launched a formal investigation into the death
earlier today of a 27-year-old Baucau resident, Calisto Belo Soares, who
was critically injured by gunfire on Monday during a violent demonstration
outside the headquarters of the Timor-Leste Police Service in Baucau, Timor-Leste's
second largest town. Read
More. |
| |
| East
Timor Militia Leader Gets 10 Years |
| An
Indonesian court on Wednesday sentenced a notorious militia leader to 10
years in prison for crimes committed during East Timor's bloody break from
Indonesia. Read
More |
| |
| Former
militia leader ready to carry the can for military |
Former
pro-Jakarta militia leader Eurico Guterres put his life on the line
for Indonesian Military (TNI) officers accused of past atrocities in East
Timor, saying the military had never ordered the establishment of, or
helped paramilitary groups. Read
More |
| |
| More News... |
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