East Timor

11 November 2009

The following is an English translation of a letter from La'o Hamutuk to Manuel Tilman, President of Committee C in the RDTL National Parliament, updating our submission to his Committee regarding the proposed 2010 State Budget. Last week, the Ministry of Finance instructed the Banking and Payments Authority to transfer a total of $512 million out of the Petroleum Fund during 2009, which breaks the promise contained in the budget documents sent to Parliament on 15 October, which said 2009 spending would be below the $408 million Estimated Sustainable Income from the Petroleum Fund.

Independent journalist Jose Belo has been charged with criminal defamation for an article he published in East Timor. In support of him, a group of journalists, academics and others have prepared this letter to the President of East Timor, Jose Ramos- Horta. If you are prepared to sign this letter, please email wendybacon1@gmail.com as soon as possible.

January 26, 2009: The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today called on Timor-Leste's (East Timor) prosecutor-general to drop criminal defamation charges against the local weekly Tempo Semanal and its editor, Jose Belo.
"Tempo Semanal and Jose Belo should not have to face charges under this obsolete and repressive law," said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of ETAN. "We urge the prosecutor-general to immediately drop any charges."

Televizaun Timor-Leste, August 27: East Timor's Popular Women's Organization (OPMT) urged the National Parliament Wednesday (August 27) to speed up the abortion law to save women's lives and to prevent criminalization of abortion practices in the country.The urge is made by women's representatives from all 13 districts during a one-day seminar to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the women's organization. OPMT's Secretary General, Melita Alves, said the criminalization of abortion in the country seriously affects women's lives though in fact there was no legal framework for such acts.
OMPT, as Fretilin's women's organization, was established on 1975 to fight for the emancipation of Timorese women.

July 15, 2008: This week the report of the bilateral Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) will be handed over to the presidents of Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The report concludes that crimes against humanity took place for which militia groups and the Indonesian military, police and civilian government bear institutional responsibility. The report should be made public as soon as possible, and must not be the end of efforts to assign responsibility for violence in 1999 and before.

Dili, July 14, 2008: All the remaining students arrested for protesting against the Xanana Gusmao government's purchase of imported luxury Toyota Prado SUV's for MPs have now been released. On July 13, 21 students were released and on July 14, the courts also released the remaining 31 students who had been detained for 72 hours at the Caicoli Detention Center in Dili.

Action in Solidarity with Asia & the Pacific (formerly Action in Solidarity with Indonesia & East Timor) extends its strong solidarity for the students of Timor Leste who have been physically assaulted, teargassed and imprisoned for their protests against the Xanana Gusmao government.

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.

7 July 2008: Amnesty International today called on police in Timor Leste not to use excessive force on student protestors.
"We urge security forces to respect people's right to protest peacefully. Individuals should have the freedom to express their views in public through legitimate protest," Amnesty International said.
According to press reports, today saw a number of people detained "for investigation purposes" at one demonstration in Dili.