[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1760-E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONDEMNING VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, there has been growing international concern 
over the plight of the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, 
especially since November 12, 1991, when Indonesian troops killed more 
than 250 defenseless people and wounded hundreds more at Santa Cruz 
Cemetery in the East Timorese capital of Dili.
  Thousands of East Timorese had gathered at the cemetery for a 
memorial service that turned into a demonstration. In an unprovoked 
attack, Indonesian forces opened fire on the crowd. A British 
television journalist filmed part of this tragic event, attracting the 
attention and indignation of the global community.
  Nearly 5 years later, the situation in East Timor remains extremely 
tense. While the Indonesian officers and soldiers who were responsible 
for the Santa Cruz massacre received light punishment, when they 
received any punishment at all, the East Timorese accused of organizing 
the demonstration received long sentences, ranging from 9 years to life 
in prison. So far as is known, all of the Indonesian perpetrators have 
long ago been freed, in contrast to the East Timorese, all of whom were 
charged with nonviolent activities, but none of whom have been 
released.
  As we near the fifth anniversary of the massacre, it would be fitting 
for the Indonesian Government to release all those charged with 
nonviolent activities in connection with the event.
  In July 1996, Amnesty International presented a summary analysis of 
the human rights situation in East Timor to the United Nations Special 
Committee on Decolonization. I now ask that this important documemt, 
which underscores the need for concrete action, be placed in the 
Congressional Record:

  Indonesia: Human Rights Deteriorate in East Timor as UN Talks Go On

       Another year of talks and vague promises of greater 
     openness by the Indonesian government has brought no relief 
     to the people of East Timor, Amnesty International said today 
     at the United Nations (UN) Special Commission on 
     Decolonization in New York.
       Despite the recent completion of the eighth round of talks 
     between the governments of Indonesia and Portugal, and a 
     visit

[[Page E1761]]

     to Indonesia and East Timor by the UN High Commissioner for 
     Human Rights, the root causes of human rights violations in 
     East Timor remain unaddressed.
       Reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, ``disappearance'', 
     extrajudicial killings, the imprisonment of prisoners of 
     conscience, and unfair trials have continued. There is 
     particular concern that the authorities may be using 
     disturbances in the territory as a pretext to arrest people 
     involved in peaceful pro-independence activities.
       ``Instead of committing itself to taking concrete measures 
     to address gross violations by its security forces, the 
     Indonesian government responds to criticism with cosmetic 
     measures aimed at appeasing international and domestic 
     critics,'' Amnesty International said.
       In 1995, for example, the government agreed to a visit by 
     the High Commissioner for Human Rights to Indonesia and East 
     Timor. During the visit the authorities said they were 
     prepared to cooperate further with the mechanisms of UN human 
     rights bodies, but gave no indication of how or when this 
     would be done.
       ``The international community should not be fooled into 
     thinking this constitutes real progress on human rights in 
     East Timor. Limited concessions as such have not alleviated 
     the deteriorating situation on the ground,'' Amnesty 
     International said.
       Concrete action is urgently required to curb arbitrary use 
     of power by the security forces, end the impunity and remove 
     legislation which allows for the detention of prisoners of 
     conscience.
       The international community should also fulfill its 
     responsibility to the people of East Timor by holding the 
     Indonesian government accountable for violations whenever 
     they occur.
       ``The time for talking is over. The Indonesian government 
     must now demonstrate a genuine commitment to human rights in 
     East Timor--and the international community must hold that 
     government to such a commitment,'' Amnesty International 
     said.

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