TL NGO statement in solidarity with Burma


Joint Statement

Timor-Leste NGOs in Solidarity of Peaceful Demonstrations Led by Buddhist Monks in Burma ­ Urging Government to Enter into Dialogue

We, representatives of Timor-Leste Human Rights NGOs express our deepest solidarity in the spirit of human rights with the peaceful and holy movement initiated by Buddhist Monks and joined by many Burmese citizens, who have been holding peaceful demonstrations exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression for several days now in different places in the country.

We are very concerned about media reports that the Government has now used force in response to the demonstrations, that demonstrators have been beaten and that two persons might have been killed. We strongly condemn this brutal crackdown to stop this peaceful demonstration and urge the Government to enter into dialogue with its population, and to allow the UN Special Envoy immediate and free access to the country.

We support statements by the UN as well as the international community including the Timor-Leste Government strongly condemning the violence in Burma. We appeal to ASEAN and the Chinese Government, to intervene in whatever manner possible, to urge the Burmese government to show utmost restraint and avoid the recurrence of the pain and suffering resulting from its actions in 1988, now almost 20 years ago. We call on ASEAN and all its members, in the true spirit of being an association of nations, to act immediately and not to consider the recent development in Burma as Burma´s internal matter only.

The current events in Burma remind us, Timorese, starkly of the struggle for human rights we went through in our recent history. We never forget the international solidarity shown in the past around the world for the plight of the Timorese.
We know that the use of violence and oppression never leads to genuine lasting stability and peace. The voices of the Burmese people urgently need to be heard. We therefore appeal to the Burmese government to immediately release the leader of the National League for Democracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and engage in talks with a view to ultimately finding a long-term solution to the important issues Burma is facing today, and that is just for all its people.

Timor-Leste, 27 September 2007

For release and for further information
Contact: Joao Pequinho (Hp. (+670) 724 2099)

This statement has been signed by:

FORUM TAU MATAN ­ EYES ON HUMAN RIGHTS (FTM)
La'o Hamutuk - The Timor-Leste Institute for
Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
East Timor Reflection Network (ETCRN)
Grupo Feto Foinsae Timor Leste (GFFTL)
Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP)
East Timor Insight ­ Research Laboratory
Konfederasaun Sindikatu Timor-Leste (KSTL)
Alola Foundation
KATILOSA ­ Disability Support Program
HAK Association
Pat Walsh (Individual)
Rogerio Vicente (individual)
Amelia de Araujo (individual).

[This message was distributed via the east-timor news list. For info on how to subscribe send a blank e-mail to info@etan.org. To support ETAN see http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm ]

Timor Leste Hopes To Join Asean In Five Years - Horta

September 27, 2007 10:54 AM

NEW YORK, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Timor Leste hopes to become a member of Asean in about five years, says its president Ramos Horta.

"A multi-sectoral task force headed by myself has been formed and that shows the importance we attach to this process for the whole government (machinery) to prepare for an Asean accession," he said prior to his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here Wednesday.

To attain accession, Horta said his country of a population of one million needed to make greater efforts to train and educate its people.

As such, he has proposed a joint funding to train Timorese in various fields, including vocational training.

On this, Abdullah has agreed that it would be far more beneficial to train the trainers in Timor Leste so that more people could be trained under this process.

Horta, who was elected in May this year, said Timor Leste's economy has improved, thanks mainly to the oil and gas revenues which were coming at US$100 million a month.

"That has given a tremendous boost to our economy," he said, adding that enabled Timor Leste to have about US$1 billion in terms of accumulated oil revenue.

However, he admitted that the huge oil revenues needed to be absorbed by the economy as there was lack of a strong private sector and middle-class in his country.

Besides oil and gas, Timor Leste produces coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas and vanilla.

There was also a need to acquire expertise in public administration, he said.

Horta paid tribute to Malaysia for the support it has given to the country located north-west of Australia.

"Malaysia provided support from Day One," he said.

Horta said he was thankful for the deployment of a Malaysian military and police force to Timor Leste when it faced unrest in April last year.

Asked about the political situation in his country, he said it had been calm.

"That's why I am able to come to New York or else I would stay back home," he added.

-- BERNAMA

PN - Agenda no. 21/II

Plenária Extraordinária

Quinta-feira, 27 de Setembro de 2007
A Sessão Plenária de hoje foi presidida pelo Vice-Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Sr. Vicente da Silva Guterres coadjuvado pela Vice-Presidente Sra. Maria da Paixão de Jesus da Costa, Secretária, Sra. Maria Terezinha Viegas, Vice-Secretárias, Sra. Maria da Costa Exposto e a Sra. Teresa Maria de Carvalho.

O Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Sr. Fernando La Sama de Araújo, não esteve presente por motivo da morte do seu pai.

Estiveram presentes as Ex-Deputadas da 1ª Legislatura, para participar na discussão do Projecto de Resolução n.o 4/II (Constituição do Grupo das Mulheres Parlamentares). Mas o Projecto referido não foi discutido e foi adiado para a próxima oportunidade.

No período de antes da Ordem do Dia, foram abordados os assuntos seguintes:
- informação sobre a renúncia da Sra. Milena Pires ao cargo de membro do Conselho de Estado, para o qual havia sido eleita pelo Parlamento Nacional;
- informação sobre a comissão de modernização a constituir, com pedido às bancadas parlamentares de indicação de membros para a sua composição;
- informação sobre queixa apresentada por vitimas da crise a viver no campo de deslocados (IDP) situado no jardim frontal ao Hotel Timor (Dili);
- apresentação e apreciação de relatório da comissão de Assuntos Constitucionais, Justiça, Administração Pública, Poder Local e Legislação do Governo (Comissão A) respeitante a visita dos seus membros ao campo de deslocados (IDP) localizado junto ao jardim frontal ao Hotel Timor (Dili) e encontro com representantes desse campo de deslocados;

No período de Ordem do Dia, teve o anúncio da admissão e baixa à Comissão de Economia, Finanças e Anti-corrupção da Proposta de Lei no. 2/I (Orçamento Geral do Estado para o Período de 1 de Julho a 31 de Dezembro de 2007).

Financiamento das abusivas forças militares da Indonésia

Tradução da Margarida:

Em These Times
Setembro 26, 2007

Apesar de numerosos abusos dos direitos humanos, os Estados Unidos continuam a bombear dinheiro para as forças militares Indonésias sob o disfarce de querra contra o terrorismo

Por Ben Terrall

Share Digg del.icio.us Reddit Newsvine Counterterrorism” tornou-se o último slogan na Indonésia para evitar a reforma das forças militares enquanto simultâneamente reforça o seu aparelho de repressão. Em troca pela sua lealdade na guerra ao terrorismo, a administração Bush passou ao lado de preocupação de abusos das forças militares na Indonésio do congresso.

A Amnistia Internacional observou no seu relatório de 2007 do país: “A maioria das violações de direitos humanos pelas forças de segurança não foram investigadas, e a impunidade por violações passadas persistem.” Estas incluem dois casos sobre os quais a Comissão Nacional dos Direitos Humanos entregou evidência em 2004 em que as forças de segurança tinham cometido crimes contra a humanidade.

Um relatório de Maio do Centro para Integridade Pública do Consórcio Internacional dos Jornalistas de Investigação (ICIJ) concluiu que as forças militares da Indonésia (TNI) é uma das maiores receptoras da assistência militar no pós-9/11. De facto, de 2002 a 2005, a Indonésia foi a maior receptora do Programa de Sociedade de Defesa Regional de Contra-terrorismo do Pentágono (CTFP). A ICIJ também anotou que sob o CTFP a TNI estava a receber tutelagem sobre “Informações no Combate ao Terrorismo”e “Prep. Estudantes da Polícia Militar.”

Ed McWilliams, um conselheiro político da Embaixada dos U.S.A. em Jacarta de 1996 a 1999, e agora um advogado independente de direitos humanos diz, “Enquanto permanece o problema da impunidade da TNI por abusos e corrupção em todo o arquipélago, é particularmente agudo na Papua Oeste. No verdadeiro sentido, a transição democrática pós-Suharto nunca transpirou na Papua Oeste, onde militares e polícias continuam a empregar terror, tortura e assassinatos extrajudiciais para impor a governação de Jacarta.”

Em 1969, a Papua Oeste estava incorporada na Indonésia através da ameaça de força. Não mudou muito. Em 5 de Julho, o Human Rights Watch relatou, “Ambas unidades de polícia e tropas … continuam a engajar-se em operações indiscriminadas de “limpeza” nas aldeias na perseguição de militantes suspeitos, usando excessiva, muitas vezes brutal, e às vezes força letal contra civis.”

Em 16 de Agosto, o jornal Indonésio Cenderawasih Pos, relatou em manifestações antecipadas na Papua Oeste apelando à auto-determinação, citou o Col. Burhanuddin Siagian como tendo dito que a TNI “não hesitará em disparar à vista” activistas pró-independência. Em 2003, a Unidade para Crimes Sérios apoiada pela ONU em Timor-Leste emitiu duas denúncias que afirmavam que Siagian fez discursos similares amealando matar apoiantes da independência e que fora responsável pela morte de sete Timorenses em Abril de 1999. O grupo Human Rights First anotou que activistas de direitos humanos da Papua foram ameaçados depois de se reunirem no princípio de Junho com um funcionário dos dirieitos humanos da ONU em visita.

“A TNI na Papua Oeste está a alimentar lutas sectárias ao recrutar migrantes largamente muçulmanos para formar paramilitares leais à governação de Jacarta,” diz McWilliams. “Está também a criar milícias Papuanas similares às que criou com efeitos devastadores em Timor-Leste. Como no passado através do arquipélago, a TNI visa gerar tensões comunais na Papua Oeste como justificação para manter a sua presença e para continuar a explorar os vastos recursos da região.”

A East Timor and Indonesia Human Rights Network (ETAN) e os seus aliados no Congresso, como Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) e Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), avançaram com várias provisões na nova Lei de Apropriações em Operações no Estrangeiro (H.R. 2764). As medidas requerem que a administração relate que a Indonésia fez progressos nos direitos humanos e na reforma militar antes de ser libertada a Jacarta $2 milhões em assistência militar. Apesar de não ser tão dura quanto a legislação aprovada depois do massacre de 1991 em Timor-Leste, a nova linguagem regista uma dissensão da política da administração Bush de apoio total à TNI. Mesmo assim, argumenta McWilliams, é necessário mais.

“A sorte de uma verdadeira reforma e possívelmente o sucesso da transição democrática na Indonésia depende muito da vontade do Congresso dos U.S.A. em insistir em reformas reais, especialmente em empurrar por genuíno controlo civili dos militares e acabar com a impunidade da TNI,” diz ele. “Os Democratas devem compreender que uma TNI não reformada, uma que — apoia e tem ajudado a criar milícias islâmicas fundamentalistas no interior da Indonésia, não pode ser um parceiro credível na chamada ‘guerra contra o terrorismo.’ O Congresso dos USA devem ouvir as vozes dos defensores dos direitos humanos na Indonésia e recusar financiar a criminalidade, abusos e criminalidade da TNI .”

UNMIT Daily Media Review - Wednesday, 26 September 2007

National Media Reports:

TP - Timor Post; DN - Diario Nacional; STL - Suara Timor Lorosae; RTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste

UN rejects amnesty for criminals, says Jose Luis Guterres

Vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres said that the UN does not disagree with the Truth and Friendship Commission (CTF); the UN just disagrees with some articles of the CTF that talk about amnesty, because criminals have to submit themselves to justice.

"I saw their statements which said that they do not agree with the article concerning amnesty, but it is the position of the UN that the CTF is a bilateral thing between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, and that seeking the truth is part of justice," said Mr. Guterres. (DN)

UN medal award for the members of the Chinese police

Ten UNPol contingents from China who joined the UN mission in Timor-Leste were awarded medals from UN.

The medal ceremony held in the Embassy of China in Farol, Dili, was attended by the Acting SRSG, Eric Tan, and the UNPol Commissary Rodolfo Tor.

In his speech, Ambassador Su Jian said that from 1999 until now China has deployed 300 police across the country.

"The UN recognizes and awards medals to these ten police officers for their good work in the area of security in 13 districts," said Rodolfo Tor, the UNPol Commissioner.
"During hard times, China has never closed its eyes to the people of Timor-Leste since 1999 - the medals for the ten police are recognition of this hard work," said the Acting SRSG Eric Tan. (DN)

Nelson Correia: Fretilin's position not destructive

Nelson Correia, MP from Social Democratic Party (PSD), said that the position of Fretilin insisting that the Alliance government is unconstitutional and illegitimate is not a destructive statement, but constructive.

According to Mr. Correia, the statement of Fretilin is a warning for the Alliance government that they should work better than the previous government.

Furthermore, Mr. Correia said that is not so important who governs this country; the important thing is to normalize the situation and see that the East Timor does not belong to the Alliance or Fretilin. (DN)

Julio Thomas Pinto: it's the decision of the parliament to send back ISF or not

The State Secretary for Defence, Julio Thomas Pinto said that the decision to send back the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) should be the decision of the national parliament following approval by MPs.

'I think any withdrawal of the ISF from Timor-Leste is for national parliament or for other sovereignty organs of the state to decide," said Mr. Pinto.

The secretary of state also said that at the present the ISF is working on good relations with F-FDTL by providing training to help professionalise the Timorese Defence Force. (DN)

David Dias: Alfredo has the right to choose place of his cantonment

David Dias Ximenes, MP from Fretilin, said that Alfredo has the right to choose the place for his cantonment, such as Ossu sub-district of Viqueque district.

"I only need to say that as a citizen of the country he has the right to choose a place of cantonment for the dialogue. But given his status now, he has no freedom to choose a place of cantonment; his status for the present is that he should responsible to the law," said Mr. Dias Ximenes.

According to Mr. Dias, as a prisoner used to finding his way out of prison, Alfredo should take accept the place of cantonment as that determined by the government, whether Ermera or Suai. (STL)

***

UNMIT - Security Situation - Wednesday 26 September 2007

The security situation in Timor-Leste has been generally calm, but disturbances continue in the Bebonuk neighbourhood of Dili.

Earlier today in Dili, UNPol attended five incidents, including two incidents of rock throwing: one in Comoro, and one in Matadoro. Police, including Formed Police Units (FPUs), brought both situations under control. One UN vehicle sustained minor damage in the process.

Separately, at around 08:30hrs, approximately 35 people armed with sling shots and arrows attacked the community living near Bebonuk primary school. A Formed Police Unit responded swiftly and dispersed the attackers, and there were no reports of any injuries.

On Tuesday in Dili, police used four cans of teargas whilst attempting to control a group of approximately 50 people who were fighting in Bebonuk. A 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries in the fight and was taken to Dili Hospital.

Also on Tuesday in Dili, police received a report of a critically ill newborn baby in Atauro. The international security forces (ISF) were contacted, and they sent a helicopter to the island to bring the baby and its mother back to Dili hospital. The baby is reported to be in a stable condition.

On Tuesday in Bobonaro, police arrested three suspects in a case of assault and attempted robbery that took place on Sunday, 23 September.

On Tuesday in Ermera, a house was set on fire in the sub-village of Riheu. All eleven occupants of the house managed to escape unharmed. Police have identified a suspect in the case, who is thought to be mentally ill.

The Police advise to avoid travelling during the night to the most affected areas. Please report any suspicious activities. You can call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Trial commences in case relating to the shooting of PNTL members that occurred in 2006.

JSMP - 26 September 2007
09/18/2007

On 18 September 2007, the Dili District Court opened the trial in the case relating to the shooting of members of the National Police Force (PNTL) which occurred in front of the Ministry of Justice on 25 May 2006, at a time when Timor Leste was in crisis.

This case was one of the cases recommended by the International Commission of Inquiry, so it was given serious attention by the international community as well as the wider community in Timor Leste, as it was one of a series of incidents that occurred during the crisis that have been classified as serious crimes.

The trial was attended by a huge number of people, and consequently the Dili District Court (operating out of the Court of Appeal) organized additional measures such as stringent security during the hearing. However we are quite concerned about the presence of F-FDTL’s members in military uniform who were on full alert and fully armed.

Before the hearing commenced the translator announced that during the hearing all people present should turn off their mobile phones and the court clerks conducted a check to make sure that no witnesses were present in the court room. However closer examination revealed that a witness from the F-FDTL named Major Maukalu was actually present. After being informed by the prosecution unit that he was one of the witnesses who would be summoned by the court to provide testimony about the shooting incident, Major Maukalu and his colleagues refused to accept this information and he protested because he believed that the court had not provided any notification that he would be summoned as a witness. Major Maukalu was adamant that he would remain in the court room. However, the lawyer Arlindo Dias Sanches approached him and explained the relevant procedure. Thereafter Major Laukalu was willing to remove himself from the court room.

After these matters had been cleared up, Judge Ivo Nelson Rosa Batista de Caires (International Judge), Judge Hugo Perdal (International Judge) and Judge Antoninho Goncalves (National Judge) entered the court room to start the hearing, however after the presiding judge conducted a check to see if all of the defendants were present in the hearing, it became evident that one of the F-FDTL members was absent. There should have been 12 defendants, namely 11 F-FDTL members and one Police Inspector.

Considering that one of the F-FDTL members who was a defendant in this matter had failed to attend the hearing, the presiding judge decided to discontinue the hearing in accordance with Article 253.1 of the Timor Leste Code of Criminal Procedure which states that “the defendant’s presence at the hearing is compulsory, except as otherwise stated in the law” and decided to continue the trial at 9:30am on 20 September 2007 at the Dili District Court (operating out of the Court of Appeal).

JSMP accepts that this decision was made in accordance with Article 253.1 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and the decision issued by the presiding judge should be respected and observed because the aforementioned article gives full authority to the presiding judge to adjourn the hearing in this matter.

JSMP fully respects the members of the F-FDTL who appeared at the court to give support to their colleagues who are defendants in this case, however JSMP regrets that some members of F-FDTL were unwilling to be searched by the police who were providing security for this trial, and some members of the F-FDTL where fully armed and providing security in a manner that was far too excessive. Things like this should not occur because everyone is same in the eyes of the court, and members of the community could see that they were trying to place pressure on the judicial actors, especially recalling that the hearing was being attended by the families of the victims who have been severely traumatized.

JSMP also recommends that members of the F-FDTL who attend the trial should respect all court procedures, such as allowing themselves to be searched before entering the court room, just like everyone else, in order to avoid setting a bad example, because the community know that this institution is in the process of positive reform after the 2006 crisis. JSMP also hopes that F-FDTL will demonstrate to every one else that the negative perceptions held by the wider community towards them are not accurate.

For further information, please contact: Roberto da Costa Pacheco; Email: bebeto@jsmp.minihub.org; Coordinator of Legal Research, JSMP

Alternative Public Hearing to respond to TFC Hearing

ETAN - 25 September 2007
This invitation and program, as well as photographs from the civil society demonstration outside the Truth and Friendship Commission hearing in Dili on September 25, 2007, are at http://www.laohamutuk.org/Justice/TFC/07PhotosCVADemo.html

Audensia publika alternativa hasoru CVA nia audensia

Organized by FONGTIL Secretariat with Members: HAK ASSOCIATION, FOKUPERS, FTM, ESPADA, HCTL, KATILOSA, KSUTL, GFFTL, MBC-TL, HAPOTI, JSMP, CARITAS AUSTRALIA, LAO HAMUTUK, LUTA HAMUTUK, INCLUDES ICTJ, ETCRN, ANTI and FRONT MAHASISWA TIMOR LESTE
Timor Leste - Indonesia

Verdade e justica mak dalan ba amizade
Truth and justice is the road to friendship
Dates: 28-29 September 2007
Hours: 8:30 am to 17:00
Place: Canossian Sisters Meeting Room, Becora, Dili

[Tetum follows after English below, schedule of alternative hearing follows after that.]

With Respect,
We all know that despite Timor-Leste falling into a long crisis in 2006 and 2007, the Truth and Friendship Commission (TFC) held Public Hearings in Denpasar and Jakarta, Indonesia. Some Timorese victims and witnesses were invited to give testimony at these hearings. In attendance were former pro-Autonomy supporters and Indonesian generals, who also gave testimony.

According to Timor-Leste civil society’s observations, “Indonesia said that the TFC public hearings are an event. They claim to look for the truth, but they give space for the Indonesian generals who to defend themselves and deny their responsibility for human rights violations in Timor-Leste in 1999. Even worse, they allege that the human rights violations in Timor-Leste are the responsibility of the pro-independence side and the United Nations. This shows that the TFC Public Hearings have become a place to promote and nurture impunity. Timor-Leste civil society thinks that TFC has become a threat to future Justice and Friendship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

TFC is a bilateral institution which the Presidents of Timor-Leste and Indonesia created in 2005. TFC’s presence brings debates for and against within the Timor-Leste and Indonesia communities, in the face of the international community. Until today, the UN itself does not give support to the TFC. And civil society in Timor-Leste and Indonesia also do not support the presence of TFC.
TFC plans to organize a Public Hearing in Dili, on 25-27 September 2007.
In order to create balanced information about human rights violations in Timor-Leste in 1999, we from Timor-Leste civil society are organizing an Alternative Public Hearing to respond to the TFC hearing. For these reasons, we would like to invite you to participate in this alternative hearing.
This hearing is open to the public; please bring friends and members of your family.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Dili, 24 September 2007,
Organizers:
-----
Loron : 28 ­ 29 Setembru 2007
Fatin : Aula Susteran Canosiana Becora/Dili
Horas : 08.30 ­ 17.30

Organizador:
Edio Saldanha Borges, Alliance for International Tribunal ANTI; Ph:7284602 Email: kadiuk@yahoo.com
Jose Caetano Guterres, East Timor Crisis Reflection Network (ETCRN): Ph: 7253877 mailto:infoetcrn2006@yahoo.com

Program for the Alternative Public Hearing
First Day (Friday, 28 September)
08.00 - 09.00 Registu Bainaka / Participants Registration
09.00 - 09.15 Bemvindo ho Organizadora / Welcome by organizers
09.15 - 09.35 Diskursu Abertura Hosi Bispo Diocese Dili/Opening Remarks by the Bishop of Dili
Sasin/Testimony
09.35 - 10.00 Panelista sira hola fatin iha oin/Panel in the front
10.00 - 10.30 Sasin hosi Jose Nunes, Sobreviventes iha Masakre Liquica 1999/Testimony by Jose Nunes, Survivor of Liquica Massacre 1999
10.30 - 10.45 Snack
10.45 - 11.15 Sasin hosi Atina, Sobreviventes iha asaun oho iha Polres Maliana 1999/Testimony by Atina, Survivor of killings in Maliana Police Station 1999
11.15 - 11.45 Sasin hosi ILIGIO, Sobreviventes iha Masakre Igreija Suai 1999/Testimony by Iligio, Survivor of Massacre in Suai Church 1999
11.45 - 12. 25 Sasin hosi Flaviano, Sobreviventes iha asaun oho iha Ermera 1999/Testimony by Flaviano, Survivor of killings in Ermera 1999
12.25 - 13.00 Sasin hosi Malewe Guera, Sobreviventes iha Asaun Oho iha Lospalos 1999/
Testimony by Malewe Guera, Survivor of killings in Lospalos 1999
13.00 -14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 14.30 Sasin hosi Ilidia da Silva, Kaben Saudoso Mahudo, 1999/Testimony Ilidia da Silva, widow of Patriotic Mauhudo, 1999
14.30 - 15.00 Sasin hosi Agung Putri, ELSAM / Testimony from Agung Putri, Elsam, Indonesia
15.00 -15.15 Snack
15.15 - 15.45 Sasin hosi Annan no Haris, Kontras/ Indonesia Testimony from Kontras/ Indonesia
15.45 - 14.30 Konferensia ba imprensa / Press conference
Second Day (Saturday, 29 September)
08.00 - 09.00 Regista Bainaka / Partisipantes / Registration
09.00 - 09.30 Panel hola Fatin iha Oin / Panel took place in the front
09.30 - 10.00 Sasin hosi Sr. Riak Leman / Testimony from Riak Leman
10.00 -10.15 Snack
10.15 - 10.45 Sasin hosi Charles Scheiner, IFET / Testimony from Charles Scheiner, IFET
10.45 - 11.30 Sasin hosi Ego Lemos / Testimony from Ego Lemos
11.30 - 12.30 Diskusaun Panel Kona ba Verdade no Justisa mak dalan ba Amizade entre Timor Leste ho Indonesia / Panel discussion on Truth and Justice the road to friendship between Timor Leste and Indonesia
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch no Preparasaun ba enceramento / Lunch and preparation for closing
14.00 - 15.00 Diskursu Enceramento hosi Presidente Parlamento Nacional / Closing Remarks by the President of National Parliament
15.00 - 15.30 Konferensia ba Imprensa / Press Conference
TOR (ENGLISH)

Preface
As we know, although victims and society in Timor-Leste, Indonesian and the international community and the UN do not support the existence of the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), but the leaders of the two nations continue with the CTF process. Also we don’t know exactly about what CTF has been doing, but we hear that large amounts of public money have been spent on the CTF’s work.

Despite this, we hear that the CTF held four public hearings in Jakarta and Denpasar in Indonesia. Our observations during these have been that the CTF’s public hearings do not function well to reveal the truth and promote general principles and values of human rights, but function mainly as an opportunity for people to defend themselves and manipulate facts about violations of human rights in Timor-Leste. The CTF has especially used the public hearings to promote impunity. Finally, we also have heard that the CTF will also hold a public hearing in Dili from 25 to 27 September 2007.

For this reason victims and Timorese NGOs will stand to defend truth and promote general principles and values of human rights, especially about how to establish justice in Timor-Leste. This is part of the struggle for legal justice through mechanisms which are based in credible international legal standards, economic justice through efforts to give reparation to victims, and social justice through recognition and rehabilitation of the dignity of victims. Consequently, the victims and Timorese NGOs want to organize an Alternative Public Hearing to oppose the CTF public hearing in Dili.

General Topic

Truth And Justice The Way To Friendship For Timor Leste And Indonesia
General Principles

Establish justice for violations of human rights in Timor-Leste 1999

1. Respect for the dignity of victims
2. The public hearing’s objective is to seek the truth and promote human rights education
3. To stopped circle of impunity
4. Therefore the alternative public hearing must comply with the following criteria:
· Listen to the voices of victims of human rights violations from all parties in Timor-Leste
· Clarify factors which caused the occurrence of human rights violations in Timor-Leste
· Give an opportunity to the testimony of victims, the UN, 1975 partisans, resistance groups and Indonesian human rights activist to clarify policies and decisions from the past which impacted on the human rights violations which occurred.
· Learn from past violations of human rights to ensure that they will not occur again in our lives or in the future.
· Facilitate progress from conditions in which people are scared and traumatized to conditions which are open and in which past violations of human rights can be learnt from and discussed without fear.

Objectives

Aims of this Alternative Hearing against CTF was:

6. Create balance information about facts of Human Rights Violations in Timor Leste 1999.
7. Remind Timorese and Indonesia leaders that friendships is very important but don’t forget that Truth and Justice is the only road to achieve friendship.
8. Remind UN to maintain their responsibility to bring actors of crimes against humanity in Timor Leste 1999 to International Tribunal.
9. Remind Timorese sovereign institution to debate on Chega! (final report of CAVR) and to take efective space fo implementation of recommendations and important values of Chega!.
10. To reafirm that as an integral parts of society in Timor Leste we are not accept the presence of CTF which have spents big amount of budget but it has no benefits for survivers and Family of victimsin the country.

Activities - Public Hearing

The Alternative Public Hearing will be held 28-29 September 2007. The hearing will be held in the former UNAMET complex or in the STP-CAVR (tentative).
Alternative Public Hearing activities will composed of:
Exhibition of photographs and documents of human rights violations in Timor-Leste for the period 1975-1999

b. Hearing of testimony from:
· Representatives of victims of human rights violations in Timor-Leste
· Representatives of Pro-Independence Resistance Groups (Falintil)
· Representatives of Pro-Indonesia Partisans from 1975
· Representatives of KPP-HAM and Indonesian activists
· Representatives of the UN from the UNAMET mission to give accurate clarification information about violations of human rights which happened in Timor-Leste in 1999.
Criteria For Choosing Witnesses For Alternative Hearing
· People who indeed want to give their testimony
· Competent (not mentally impaired) and able to speak for themselves clearly in public
· Experience as a representative – there are many victims who also have this sort of experience but perhaps haven’t had an opportunity to give testimony
· Testimony or information which is presented is credible and has a basis in fact.
Panelists
In order to best facilitate the Alternative Hearing the organizers will choose five people who will act as Hearing Panelist.
Participants
Organisations which work with victims and families of victims
People who have given testimony in the public hearings in Indonesia
NGOs and victims from Indonesia
NGOs in Timor-Leste
Youth organisations and women’s organisations
Political parties
Religious organizations
Universities and schools
Government
Parliament

Presidente de Timor-Leste agradece apoio dos Açores

Acores.Net - 26 Setembro 2007

O Presidente da República Democrática de Timor-Leste considera que o apoio português, e em particular o dos Açores, tem sido “vital” para que “o Estado e o Povo Timorense possam desenvolver as suas actividades diárias, sarar as suas feridas, estabilizar as instituições e viver diferenças políticas de modo sustentável e equilibrado”.

Numa carta dirigida a Carlos César, presidente do Governo dos Açores, José Ramos Horta, sublinha, também, “os laços fraternais e a amizade” que unem açorianos e timorenses.
Na missiva, o recém-eleito Presidente de Timor-Leste expressa, igualmente, “votos de sucesso e prosperidade para o Povo Irmão da Região Autónoma dos Açores”, reafirmando a sua determinação em prosseguir numa “caminhada de liberdade e de construção da Nação Timorense”.

Os Açores, representados pelo Presidente do Governo, foram a única região do mundo presente nas cerimónias da Independência de Timor-Leste, realizadas em Maio de 2002.