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Bahasa IndonesiaLetter to the President of the UN Security Council about justice and accountability for human rights and war crimes committed in Timor-Leste, coordinated by the East Timor Action Network and signed by dozens of civil society organisations around the world.
Timor-Leste
Family at grave of Inacio Jose Manuel killed during occupation by Indonesian Troops © Dave11520
We monitor developments and support efforts to secure justice for the gross violations of human rights committed in Timor-Leste during the Indonesian occupation between 1975 and 1999.
TAPOL was one of the few international organisations in 1975 to warn of Indonesia’s impending aggression against the then-Portuguese colony of East Timor, and the bloodshed and terror that would ensue, which in the event resulted in up to 183,000 conflict-related deaths. We worked to keep the issue alive for many years when the international community had turned a blind eye to the appalling human rights situation in the territory, in particular through information published in the TAPOL Bulletin. TAPOL was a leading member of the international solidarity movement that played a key part in securing eventual self-determination for East Timor.
Following East Timor’s vote for independence in 1999, we campaigned vigorously with others for those responsible for serious crimes to be brought to justice, as yet to no avail. More than 300 Indonesian military personnel, officials and militia continue to enjoy impunity in Indonesia, with some of them playing prominent roles in public life at the highest level.
News
TAPOL and ETAN Letter to UK and US Ambassadors to UN on Anniversary of 30 September Movement
We write to you on the fifty-fifth anniversary of the so-called September 30th movement (G30S) in Indonesia. The movement, which led to the mass killing of hundreds of thousands of people accused of being communists by the military and its proxies, marked the beginning of the New Order military dictatorship in Indonesia. The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom both played crucial roles in these events.
In your capacity as representatives of permanent members of the Security Council, we call on you and your governments to investigate and raise with the Indonesian government these problems. The United States and the United Kingdom have a duty to address the impunity and influence that the military continues to enjoy.
Open Statement: Appointment of Retired General Wiranto as Minister confirms the deep-rooted impunity in Indonesia
July 27, 2016 - Three human rights groups, TAPOL, ETAN, and Watch Indonesia!, today criticized President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo’s appointment of former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander General (Ret.) Wiranto as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.