| Subject: CONG: Rep. Chris Smith on E. Timor
and Indonesia at HIRC Human Rights Hearing
(Indonesia and Timor-Leste Excerpts)
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International
Operations Prepared Statement of Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman A
Global Review of Human Rights: Examining the State Department's 2004
Annual Report March 17, 2005
In Indonesia, elections resulted in the transfer of power to an elected
opposition leader. However, Indonesia's ad hoc trials on East Timor
acquitted most militia leaders and Indonesian officers indicted by the UN
for crimes against humanity in connection with the 1999 violence, and
levied only minimal penalties against others, none of whom has spent a day
in jail. Rather than achieving accountability, the trials became a
mechanism for impunity and were viewed as seriously flawed by most
international observers. Many of those indicted for crimes against
humanity in East Timor continue to maintain powerful positions, and the
military continued its offensive in Aceh, attacking dozens of civilian
targets even after the tsunami devastated the region. I am disturbed that
given these circumstances, the State Department recently certified
cooperation on the Papua killings to allow resumption of IMET military
training.
-- Karen Orenstein Washington Coordinator East Timor Action Network: 13
Years for Self-determination and Justice 202-544-6911 (t/f) karen@etan.org;
www.etan.org
Back to March menu
February
World Leaders Contact List
Main Postings Menu
|
