2004
Unfulfilled Promises: Achieving Justice for Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor (November 2004)
This Coalition for International Justice and Open Society Justice Initiativereport addresses numerous obstacles to achieving justice in East Timor, such as "unwilling and unable" prosecution and defense, the UN Serious Crimes Unit's lack of independence, the Indonesian government's refusal to extradite perpetrators, and inaction on the part of local, national and international governments. Given that both justice and "the credibility of the UN" are at stake, the report outlines the dire need for increased international pressure and involvement in existing and future judicial measures.
East Timor NGOs Urge US Congress to End Assistance to Indonesian Military and to Work for Justice and International Tribunal (November 11, 2004)
Following the release of the only Indonesian official held by the ad-hoc Indonesian tribunal on human rights violations, sixteen East Timor NGOs urged the US to restrict military aid to the Indonesian army and instead work towards a fair international tribunal. These NGOs say US action immediately following the Santa Cruz massacre of demonstrators in 1991 helped East Timor to gain independence, and they hope the US will aid them in further redressing the massacre. (East Timor Action Network)
East Timor Says No to UN Tribunal (August 9, 2004)
East Timor rejected calls by local and international organizations for the creation of a UN tribunal to prosecute Indonesian military personnel for atrocities committed during East Timor's vote for independence. East Timor argued that an international tribunal would jeopardize relations between the two nations, threaten the war on terror and create a backlash against the UN and the international community. (Laksamana.Net)
Conviction Squashed for Crimes in East Timor (August 6, 2004)
An Indonesian appeals court has released all Indonesian police and military officials indicted by the country's Ad-Hoc Human Rights Tribunal for East Timor. The United States previously called on Indonesia to hold military officials responsible for atrocities, but has since then strengthened its ties with the Indonesian military in the "war on terror." (New York Times)
East Timorese Civil Society Demand the Creation of a Commission of Experts (July 19, 2004)
In a joint statement to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, East Timorese civil society is calling for the establishment of a commission to analyze the trials of the Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Dili and the Ad-Hoc Human Rights Court for East Timor in Jakarta. The statement criticizes the East Timorese government's attitude of "forgive and forget" and condemns the Indonesian government for giving impunity to senior military officers. (Judicial System Monitoring Programme)
Justice Sidelined as E Timor Courts Its Neighbor (May 17, 2004)
The arrest warrant for former Indonesian army Commander General Wiranto caused much consternation in East Timor as well as in Indonesia. The presidents of both countries agreed that they did not want the issue of past human rights violations to disturb their bilateral relations, and announced they would ignore the warrant. (Australian)
East Timor Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Wiranto (May 10, 2004)
More than one year after prosecutors of the East Timor Serious Crimes Unit indicted former Indonesian military chief General Wiranto, an East Timor tribunal issued his arrest warrant. However an Indonesian foreign ministry spokesperson declared that Indonesia "won't go all crazy about it because this is not the first time they [have] come up with such a ruling." (Reuters)
Timor Governor's Sentence Upheld (April 12, 2004)
Indonesia's Supreme Court has upheld a jail sentence, initially issued by the country's human rights court, against an Indonesian official for failing to stop the violence in 1999. Critics dismiss the human rights court as window dressing and argue that the indictee's conviction is based on his East Timorese ethnicity. (BBC)
East Timor Prosecutors Press Bid to Arrest Ex-Indonesian Military Chief (March 22, 2004)
Prosecutors of the UN Serious Crimes Unit released a 92 page report citing former Indonesian military leader General Wiranto for failing to prevent "the commission of crimes against humanity and failing to punish the perpetrators." Prosecutors are seeking an arrest warrant for General Wiranto. (Agence France Presse)
East Timor Rejects Wiranto Hearing (February 20, 2004)
An East Timorese judge has rejected an appeal by UN-funded prosecutors to hear an application seeking an arrest warrant against former Indonesian military chief General Wiranto. Judge Phillip Rapoza told the Special Panel for Serious Crimes that such a hearing is not provided for under local and international law. Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, however, alleged that the court has delayed issuing an arrest warrant for political reasons. (Associated Press)
Wiranto to Testify at War Crimes Hearing (February 6, 2004)
Former chief of the Indonesian military General Wiranto agreed to give testimony to a public hearing in East Timor via video link. East Timorese prosecutors previously petitioned Dili's special panel of international judges for a public hearing to assess evidence against Wiranto. The judges have not yet ruled on the request. (Sydney Morning Herald)
East Timor Pushes For New Hearing (January 29, 2004)
East Timorese prosecutors seeking an arrest warrant for former chief of the Indonesian military, General Wiranto, have asked a judge to hold a public hearing in East Timor into their application. The hearing is "to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to issue an arrest warrant against General Wiranto." (Agence France Presse)
Indonesian Court Clears Senior Officer of Rights Abuses in East Timor (January 13, 2004)
Indonesia's highest court has acquitted Timbul Silaen, a senior policeman accused of human rights abuses in the last days of Indonesian rule over East Timor. Silaen now acts as the head of police in Papua, a province of concern to the Indonesian government because of its strong separatist movement. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
2003
East Timor Court Jails Ex-Army Sergeant for Crimes against Humanity (December 10, 2003)
The Special Panels for Serious Crimes convicts former Indonesian army sergeant Marcelino Soares for crimes against humanity. The Indonesian government generally refuses to extradite army officials, making it difficult to prosecute the accused. (Agence France Presse)
Timor Relives Massacre Horror (November 19, 2003)
In 2001 UNTAET set up the East Timor Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR). Upon conclusion of its work, CAVR will make recommendations to the East Timor government and the UN. This CNN article reports from the hearing on massacres from 1974 until 1999.
Most Suspects in East Timor Violence Remain Free in Indonesia (October 15, 2003)
East Timor relies on Indonesia's cooperation to prosecute senior Indonesian officers charged with atrocities. Few government officials are willing to take action due to the influence Indonesian armed forces exert on the process. (Washington Post)
East Timor Atrocities: Submit to International Tribunal (August 15, 2003)
After Indonesia's continued failure to convincingly prosecute those guilty of crimes against humanity in East Timor, many have once again called for an international tribunal to try alleged war criminals. (Straits Times)
Indonesia: Transfer Convicted General from Aceh (August 5, 2003)
Human Rights Watchcriticizes Indonesia for sentencing Major General Adam R. Damiri--who orchestrated widespread human rights violations in East Timor--to only three years in prison. Such a light punishment demonstrates the need for impartial international tribunals.
UN Human Rights Commission Abandons Justice for East Timor (April 25, 2003)
The UN expresses "disappointment" in the Ad-Hoc Human Rights Court on East Timor, asking Indonesia to amend the process. Unfortunately the Human Rights Commission did not decry Indonesia's failure to extradite war crimes suspects and refuses to contemplate an International Criminal Tribunal for East Timor. (East Timor Action Network)
Indonesian General Gets Prison over East Timor (March 12, 2003)
The Human Rights Court in Jakarta sentenced an Indonesian general to five years in prison for failing to prevent his forces from slaughtering civilians during East Timor's fight for independence. Human rights advocates dismiss the court as a facade designed to block the international drive for a UN war crimes tribunal for East Timor. (Associated Press)
UN Indicts General for East Timor Crimes (February 25, 2003)
The United Nations indicted former Indonesian armed forces commander, General Wiranto, for war crimes committed during East Timor's final steps towards independence. In spite of this, the Indonesian Government has questioned the UN's authority to put any Indonesians on trial and is unlikely to extradite him. (Guardian)
2002
Justice Denied for East Timor (December, 2002)
This Human Rights Watchpaper argues that Indonesia's Ad-Hoc Human Rights Court on East Timor is a thinly veiled faí§ade designed to appease the international community. It urges the UN to create an international tribunal for East Timor which would allow justice to be served.
No Justice in Jakarta (August 27, 2002)
"The trials before an ad hoc human rights tribunal in Jakarta of officials implicated in the 1999 crimes in East Timor are not only failing to do justice: They have turned truth on its head and added insult to injury," argues former UN Representative in East Timor Ian Martin. (Washington Post)
East Timor Verdicts Undermine Tribunal (August 16, 2002)
As Indonesia's human rights tribunal for East Timor continues to give "astonishing verdicts" by acquitting police and officers of crimes against humanity committed in 1999, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson have joined numerous NGOs in questioning the credibility and integrity of the trials. (Guardian)
East Timor: Troubles Ahead, Troubled Behind (June 10, 2002)
Indonesia's East Timor ad-hoc human rights tribunals appears unlikely to ease the Timorese trauma. Jakarta is preoccupied with reviving military relations with the US. "For the East Timorese, coming to terms with a blighted history and reconciling with their Indonesian neighbors may well prove a tougher challenge than winning independence." (World Press Review)
Ex-Governor Accused of Ignoring Timor Massacres as Landmark Trials Start (March 14, 2002)
Indonesia opens the first trials of senior officials accused of crimes against humanity during East Timor's drive for independence in 1999. However General Wiranto, the armed forces chief at the time, is still absent from the list of those convicted. (Agence France Presse)
In Pursuit of The Truth (January 17, 2002)
The Commissions for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation will attempt to facilitate "community reconciliation agreements" between perpetrators and victims. In addition, special tribunals will judge alleged human rights violators. However the credibility of such tribunals is questionned as General Wiranto is not among those indicted. (Guardian)
Megawati Approves East Timor Judges (January 14, 2002)
Legal experts will serve at the special court for East Timor alongside with other career judges. The appointment of judges is a step forward but there is still a long way to go before justice can be done. (BBC)
2001
East Timor: Court Gives Maximum Prison Sentences in First Atrocities Trial (December 11, 2001)
The Timorese Special Panel on Serious Crimes handed down its first case of crimes against humanity. The court found pro-Jakarta militiamen guilty for the atrocities committed in 1999. (LUSA Agencia de Noticias )
Militia Leader Returns to Face Justice in East Timor (October 17, 2001)
The commander of one of the most feared Timorese paramilitary gangs, charged with human rights violations, accepted to come back to face justice. (Associated Press)
Troops Charged Over Timor 'Extermination' (September 8,, 2001)
Two years after the massacres committed in East Timor, UN prosecutors have indicted suspects for "planned mass murder" committed between April and October 1999. (Guardian)
Lagging Tribunal Is Called a Threat to a Viable East Timor (September 2, 2001)
As everybody celebrates the first democratic election in East Timor, some people criticize UNTAET's weaknesses in regard to justice. (Boston Globe)
East Timor: National Council Sets Up Truth Commission to Probe Rights Violations (June 20, 2001)
The National Council of East Timor unanimously voted both to establish a truth and reconciliation commission and request the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor to establish a tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of serious human rights violations in the territory. (BBC)
Justice for East Timor (June 13, 2001)
A group of NGOs and government organizations calls for the establishment of a tribunal in East Timor, greater professional and financial support of East Timor judges, and continued support for investigations into human rights abuses, even after the UNTAET mandate expires.
Massacres Go Unpunished As UN Crimes Unit Heads For Collapse (May 1, 2001)
After UNTAET criticized the Dunn report, investigators from the UN Serious Crimes Unit are resigning their mandate. "They are holding reconciliation negotiations with militia leaders we want to arrest," said an investigator, accusing the UN to be on the other side. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor (May, 2001)
This excerpt explains the purpose and procedures of a proposed truth and reconciliation commission in East Timor. (The International Peace Academy )
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (April 25, 2001)
Amnesty International after having applauded the Indonesian decision to create a human rights court, deplores Jakarta for limiting the jurisdiction of the ad-hoc court to post-ballot cases.
Indonesia Sets Up Timor War Crimes Court (April 24, 2001)
In response to East Timor's spiritual leader, Bishop Carlos Belo's demand to set up a tribunal, President Wahid of Indonesia signed a decree establishing a special court to prosecute war crimes committed in 1999. (CNN)
Conspiracy by Generals Led to Timor Killings (April 12, 2001)
The special UN-appointed investigator, James Dunn, issued a report naming several Indonesian high-ranking generals involved in the violence in East Timor in 1999. This may put the pressure on the UN to set up a war crimes tribunal in East Timor. (Sydney Morning Herald)
2000
Human Rights Abusers to be Tried in Indonesia (December 14, 2000)
The Indonesian government says that those accused of violating human rights in East Timor will not be extradited, but instead tried in Indonesia, and that UNTAET "will not be involved in the legal process." (Xinhua)
Observer: UNTAET's Request to Try Officers Politically Motivated (December 13, 2000)
An Indonesian political affairs observer defends the Indonesian military's objection to the extradition of suspects to East Timor, and accuses UNTAET of being a "puppet of Australia and the US." (Antara)
UN Takes a Small Step Toward Justice in East Timor (December 13, 2000)
A UN prosecutor in East Timor has indicted 11 people for crimes against humanity. Their trials will be in domestic courts, since support for an international tribunal for East Timor no longer exists in the Security Council. (Christian Science Monitor)
