[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 194 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN EAST TIMOR

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 1995

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support my colleagues 
from Rhode Island and New York in their efforts to call attention to 
human rights abuses by Indonesia in its occupation of East Timor, and 
to prevent the use of United States military assistance to further 
Indonesia's atrocities in East Timor.
  Indonesia's Armed Forces invaded East Timor in 1975, only weeks after 
East Timor had attained independence from Portugal. Since then, the 
Indonesian army has carried out a campaign of what amounts to ethnic 
cleansing against the Timorese through a program of forced migration. 
Persecution has been particularly harsh against the Christian 
population of East Timor.
  More than 200,000 Timorese--out of a total population of 700,000--
have been killed directly or by starvation in forced migrations from 
their villages since the Indonesian invasion.
  There are recent reports of a renewed campaign of repression of 
Catholics in East Timor. These reports include atrocities such as the 
smashing of statues of the Blessed Mother. The campaign has also been 
directed personally against the Catholic Bishop of Dili [DILLY], Bishop 
Belo. His phones are tapped, his fax machine is monitored, his visitors 
are watched, and his freedom of movement is restricted. But Bishop Belo 
persists in his courageous efforts to defend justice, peace and the 
preservation of the dignity of his people. Recently, he has set up a 
church commission to monitor human rights abuses, and a radio station 
to disseminate information and news.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of East Timor comprise a sovereign nation. 
They differ from most Indonesians in language, religion, ethnicity, 
history, and culture. They are entitled to independence and freedom. 
And in the meantime, they are entitled to fundamental human rights 
including the freedom of religion.

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