Dili, Sep 18, 2009 - East Timor's opposition threatened on Friday to force an early election in an escalating row with the government over the release of an Indonesian militia leader accused of crimes against humanity.
Fretilin party spokesman Jose Teixeira told AFP the party will 'seriously consider' pulling out of parliament if a motion to censure the government of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao is not passed by parliament.
Fretilin, which controls 21 of the parliament's 65 seats, submitted the motion on Monday over the Gusmao government's decision last month to release militia leader Martenus Bere.
'We can't continue to be a part of what has become a violation of law,' Mr Teixeira said.
'If the censure does not go through, we can't see any way out,' he said, adding the withdrawal of Fretilin's MPs would be enough to automatically force an election.
Bere was arrested after crossing into East Timor on August 8, five years after being indicted for his role in a string of human rights violations including the 1999 Suai church massacre in which up to 200 people were killed.
The United Nations' human rights representative in East Timor on Tuesday criticised government 'interference' in freeing the militia leader. But Gusmao and President Jose Ramos-Horta have said reconciliation with giant neighbour Indonesia is more important than dwelling on past abuses.
At least 100,000 people were estimated to have died during Indonesia's 24-year occupation of East Timor, which ended with bloody violence surrounding a 1999 UN-backed independence vote. (AFP)
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segunda-feira, 21 de setembro de 2009
terça-feira, 8 de setembro de 2009
WALK OUT OF TIMOR-LESTE PARLIAMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS
Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN)
MEDIA RELEASE
Dili, 7 September 2009
A walkout by FRETILIN MPs today brought the Timor-Leste parliament to a halt, for lack of quorum. The MPs walked out in protest at decision of the Gusmao de facto government to free the militia leader, Martenus Bere, who is alleged to be responsible for the murder, abduction, rape, deportation and persecution of many Timorese in Suai during the violence in 1999.
One of Bere’s alleged victims was a young girl called Alola – the very person form whom Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the wife of the Prime Minister, named her charitable foundation for the women of Timor Leste.
Speaking to journalist after the walkout in Dili today, FRETILIN leader, Aniceto Guterres, said that it was also an act of solidarity for victims whose rights had been trampled by the release of Bere. Mr Guterres headed a human rights advocacy organization during the Indonesian occupation.
“This time their hypocrisy was too much,” said Guterres. “After this violation of domestic and international law, they had the audacity to send their Foreign Affairs Minister to the parliament to discuss the proposed draft law on Treaties and Conventions? It all seemed too cruel a charade for us to partake in, when it is clear that they have no intention on abiding by international laws and norms. When it is very clear that they have no respect for the rule of law or the principle of separation of powers.
“The victims of the violence in 1999 have had their constitutional rights to justice trampled all over. They are still thirsting for justice. The sentiment displayed by the victions and their families since the release of this militia leader has been remarkable. One of the victims listed in the indictment of Bere is Juliana dos Santos , also known as Alola. The Prime Minister’s wife, Kirsty Sword Gusmao named the ALOLA Foundation after her. There are many other victims who want this man to face justice for the terror he heaped on people. Now it looks highly unlikely that he will,” Guterres said.
Alola’s father Manuel Soares was reported by Agence France Press on 6 September 2009 saying, “For the victims, everything is ruined and broken. I came here today to get away from the feeling.”
AFP further reports him saying angrily, “We want justice, but it never happens. They release all the criminals and all the people who were involved in the killings. If the government or the UN dared enough, they could go and arrest the militias,” adding, "They are all liars. They just talk and make promises. All the organizations who claim they help victims, they are just talking and talking.”
Mr Guterres expressed astonishment that the parties in the government coalition today showed so little support for calling the government to account for this scandalous decision. “Government MPs complained about other mundane issues instead. Only one MP inadequately defended their actions saying that it had to be done to maintain stability in Timor-Leste. Another said that unless Bere was released there could have been persecution of Timorese students in West Timor .
“We don’t believe that Indonesia could not have guaranteed the safety of Timorese living in Indonesia . There was no support from these MPs for the rights of victims and their families. We believe our walk-out was an appropriate act of solidarity for justice for the victims of violence in our country,” Guterres said in closing.
For further information, please contact Jose Teixeira MP on +670 728 7080
SEARCH Foundation, http://www.search.org.au
Level 3, 110 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia, Ph: +61 2 9211 4164; Fax: +61 2 9211 1407, ABN 63 050 096 976
MEDIA RELEASE
Dili, 7 September 2009
A walkout by FRETILIN MPs today brought the Timor-Leste parliament to a halt, for lack of quorum. The MPs walked out in protest at decision of the Gusmao de facto government to free the militia leader, Martenus Bere, who is alleged to be responsible for the murder, abduction, rape, deportation and persecution of many Timorese in Suai during the violence in 1999.
One of Bere’s alleged victims was a young girl called Alola – the very person form whom Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the wife of the Prime Minister, named her charitable foundation for the women of Timor Leste.
Speaking to journalist after the walkout in Dili today, FRETILIN leader, Aniceto Guterres, said that it was also an act of solidarity for victims whose rights had been trampled by the release of Bere. Mr Guterres headed a human rights advocacy organization during the Indonesian occupation.
“This time their hypocrisy was too much,” said Guterres. “After this violation of domestic and international law, they had the audacity to send their Foreign Affairs Minister to the parliament to discuss the proposed draft law on Treaties and Conventions? It all seemed too cruel a charade for us to partake in, when it is clear that they have no intention on abiding by international laws and norms. When it is very clear that they have no respect for the rule of law or the principle of separation of powers.
“The victims of the violence in 1999 have had their constitutional rights to justice trampled all over. They are still thirsting for justice. The sentiment displayed by the victions and their families since the release of this militia leader has been remarkable. One of the victims listed in the indictment of Bere is Juliana dos Santos , also known as Alola. The Prime Minister’s wife, Kirsty Sword Gusmao named the ALOLA Foundation after her. There are many other victims who want this man to face justice for the terror he heaped on people. Now it looks highly unlikely that he will,” Guterres said.
Alola’s father Manuel Soares was reported by Agence France Press on 6 September 2009 saying, “For the victims, everything is ruined and broken. I came here today to get away from the feeling.”
AFP further reports him saying angrily, “We want justice, but it never happens. They release all the criminals and all the people who were involved in the killings. If the government or the UN dared enough, they could go and arrest the militias,” adding, "They are all liars. They just talk and make promises. All the organizations who claim they help victims, they are just talking and talking.”
Mr Guterres expressed astonishment that the parties in the government coalition today showed so little support for calling the government to account for this scandalous decision. “Government MPs complained about other mundane issues instead. Only one MP inadequately defended their actions saying that it had to be done to maintain stability in Timor-Leste. Another said that unless Bere was released there could have been persecution of Timorese students in West Timor .
“We don’t believe that Indonesia could not have guaranteed the safety of Timorese living in Indonesia . There was no support from these MPs for the rights of victims and their families. We believe our walk-out was an appropriate act of solidarity for justice for the victims of violence in our country,” Guterres said in closing.
For further information, please contact Jose Teixeira MP on +670 728 7080
SEARCH Foundation, http://www.search.org.au
Level 3, 110 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia, Ph: +61 2 9211 4164; Fax: +61 2 9211 1407, ABN 63 050 096 976
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