East Timor

Without justice, there will be no peace

The Age - May 26, 2006

THE Australian Government is to be congratulated for its timely and wholehearted response to the crisis in East Timor. However, if Australia wants to be part of the solution rather than the problem, we need to look at the underlying issues.

The most obvious cause of the crisis is the East Timor Government's failure to respond quickly and seriously to the grievances of soldiers from the west of the country. But this is also a reminder of the fact that this is a nation born out of trauma, and fear and mistrust run deep.

Many in East Timor — including political parties other than Fretilin, the church and civil society — have called repeatedly in recent years for justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity carried out during the period of Indonesian occupation. This grievance was a factor in the protests in Dili last year. Yet, after a serious crimes process in East Timor and a sham ad hoc Human Rights Court in Jakarta, all of the non-Timorese perpetrators remain at large, protected by Indonesia.

The East Timor Government cannot afford to upset its big, powerful neighbour, so this matter can be resolved only with the help of other nations and the UN, whether this takes the form of an international war crimes tribunal or some other judicial mechanism.

Australia should ensure that the international community does not turn its back on the people of East Timor, not only for their sakes but to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights around the world. It might take longer and be more difficult than military intervention, but there can be no lasting peace without justice.

Supporters of the Australian Coalition for Transitional Justice in East Timor: Dr Mark Byrne, Uniya Jesuit Social Justice Centre; Tom Clarke, Timor Sea Justice Campaign; Jenny Drysdale, Australian National University; James Dunn, former UNTAET adviser on serious crimes; Dr Clinton Fernandes, University of New South Wales; Associate Professor Damien Kingsbury, Deakin University; Dr Michael McKinley, Australian National University; Shirley Shackleton, Rob Wesley-Smith, Australians for a Free East Timor, Bob Maguire - Shirley shackleton’s parish priest.

 

Comments

[Peter]

East Timor is a "baby" country that needs the nurturing of "adult" countries. It has been birthed with two powerful, and culturally contrasting, neighbours: Australia and Indonesia.
I think it's very important that the global community be a part of the nurturing process so that East Timor matures into an independant and healthy nation, neither cowed by, nor dependent upon, either of her larger neighbours. This will take time.
As an Australian I am proud of our troops making a difference. We need to be there long enough for stability. But it's important that other nations, and the UN, don't just leave it to us.
As a Christian my prayer is that God will bless East Timor with peace, justice, grace, joy, and wisdom.
Thanks for the article Father Bob.
Pete
(a self-confessed non-expert on East Timor)

peter,i couldn't agree more.bobmaguire.

[Nathan Blyth]

I agree, but I also think that the Australian government has to stop stealing East Timor's gas & oil. If more of the countries wealth stayed in the country instead of going to money hungry countries like us, they might have more of a chance. It seems Australia can't help out a neighbour without expecting something in return. Cheers, Nathan.

nathan, seems to be east vs west after hundreds of years of imperial,centralist(don't invest,just divest)colonial mentality.catholic church is in the equation somewhere via portugal.peace.to KNOW all is to forgive all.bobmaguire.

[cAt]

Indeed, Bob. "Justice delayed is justice denied", and justice has been too long delayed in Timor.

My fervent hope is that a strong leader like Xanana Gusmao can, with the continued help of "adult nations" (nice term there, Peter) like Australia, build this little country into a peaceful, prosperous nation.