Eyewitness report from Timor Leste: 52 students in jail after 3 days of protest (updated)

By Tomas Freitas, Dili, July 10, 2008: Over the last three days, the students at the East Timor National University have continued to run their protest against members of the national parliament, regarding the purchase of luxury cars for each National Parliament member. Yesterday, the Xanana Gusmao Government arrested 15 students, two days ago 17 and on the first day 21.

The protest which was initiated by a group of students has spread to other parts of Timor Leste’s society. Solidarity messages from inside and outside country were delivered, showing the strong spirit of solidarity that exists between movements in the region. Former Timorese political prisoners have condemned this awful attitude shown by the Timorese government led by Xanana Gusmao. Yesterday the National Youth Association of Timor-Leste (CONJTL) declared their strong solidarity with the students and will join the peaceful demonstrations alongside the students.

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* Messages of solidarity can also be emailed via Tomas Freitas
* Watch BBC TV report on the student protest
* East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)statement
* Amnesty International statement
* ASAP statement

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Prime Minister Gusmao does not care about the criticism that is coming from Timor-Leste Civil Society. The purchase of the cars is Gusmao’s attempt to buy off opposition votes. However, he has not been able to buy the votes of FRETILIN (holding 21 seats) and the National Unity Party (holding 3 seats). Because of all this he has ignored the criticism of Amnesty International in relation to the arrest of the protesters.
Gusmao with his minister for finance know exactly how much money is needed to purchase 65 luxury cars, Toyota Prado SUVs, and where those cars will be imported from, Japan. The total amount allocated in the budget to buy the cars is US$3.086 million. Divided by 65 this is US$47.476 thousand for each car. At the moment, the monthly salary for each member of parliament is US$415. In addition, they receive accommodation allowance of US$300 per month, telephone allowance of US$250 per month and may receive additional per diem payments of a maximum of US$200 per month. This income is very unfair if we compare with an ordinary Timorese people like a Security Guard or Level 1 Civil Servents who receive only $85 per/month.
Gusmao’s public statements undermine Timor-Leste’s internationally applauded Petroleum Fund which was itself based on the Norwegian Model for the Petroleum Fund. Gusmao tries to look smart on television when he tries to explain what is meant by the change in investment strategy of the Petroleum Fund to 60% of equity and 40% of bonds. However, when he is questioned by parliamentarians, civil society or journalists he just responds by calling people “Stupid”. He does not want the public to correct his government on how to manage the Petroleum Fund, even though the public realises that his government does not have the capacity to execute the previously approved $294 million which is still in the Banking and Payments Authority.

* Update & thank you for solidarity messages:
21 students have now been released after 72 hours detention. These 21 students were released from the Detention Center at the Police Headquarters in Caicoli, Dili, after the judge decided - in a public hearing on the afternoon of July 10 - that they should be released on condition that they will not be involved further protests. The students released are the 21 students (two female and 19 male) who were arrested on the first day of the protest. There are still 32 students remaining in the detention center.
On behalf of Timorese activists, I would like to say thank you for the solidarity messages and support that have come from all of you.
Solidarity Regards,
Thomas Freitas,
Dili, July 10