Subject: ABC: ETse Community Calls for Aust Gov't
compassion
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999 17:42:00 -0400
From: "Sharon R.A. Scharfe" <pet@web.net>Australian Broadcasting
Corporation
Thursday 3 June, 1999
Community leader calls for Govt compassion for E Timorese
An East Timorese community leader in Brisbane is urging the Federal Government to offer
temporary asylum to political and community members who fear for their lives in East
Timor.
Joe Teixeira says there is still a lack of support from the Government for those in
Indonesia, although it is taking a strong approach to Kosovo.
He says prominent church and community leaders have received death threats and need to
be offered safe asylum until the vote in August to determine if East Timor will remain a
part of Indonesia or become independent.
"They've certainly done it with the people in Kosovo, and so they should wherever
people need that sort of asylum because of strife in their homeland.
"Certainly this is on our doorstep, this isn't in the Balkans, this is here next
door to Australia," he said.
"So I'm urging the Australian Government to be more compassionate and humanitarium
in their outlook."
© 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Back to June Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
