[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONCERNING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1991 MASSACRE IN EAST TIMOR

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                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, as cochairman of the Congressional Human 
Rights Caucus, I have long been concerned about the deteriorating human 
rights situation on the Indonesian island of East Timor.
  On November 12, 1996, we will mark the fifth anniversary of the 
brutal massacre of peaceful, unarmed protesters at the Santa Cruz 
Cemetery in the capital of East Timor. As many as 273 defenseless 
citizens were killed by the Indonesian military in a ferocious, 
unprovoked attack.
  The Indonesian security forces who were responsible for this brutal 
act of terror are still operating with impunity throughout East Timor. 
This impunity is illustrated by the legal aftermath of the massacre. 
Those military personnel who were responsible for the massacre received 
a slap on the wrist; the strongest punishment was house arrest. Compare 
this with the harsh punishment meted out to those who were convicted of 
organizing peaceful protests. They received sentences ranging from 9 
years to life in prison. They are still in prison as we speak.
  The Dili massacre is one of the most egregious, but by no means the 
only, example of severe repression in East Timor. Arbitrary arrests, 
militarization of the island, and training and arming young East 
Timorese loyal to the Indonesian Government are all on the rise.
  It is unconscionable that we are considering transfer of high-
technology military equipment to a country whose military is 
responsible for such a reprehensible act against its own people. I hope 
that Members will consider the consequences for the people of East 
Timor when we turn a blind eye to horrible acts such as this.

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