November 15, 2007 - The current coroner’s inquest into the death of
an Australian-based journalist killed by Indonesian troops in October
1975 highlights "the need to pursue justice for the many tens of
thousands killed during Indonesia’s illegal invasion and occupation
of East Timor," said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of the East
Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN).
On Friday, the New South Wales coroner’s office will announce the
results of its investigation into the death of Brian Peters, one of
five journalists shot in Balibo, East Timor, on October 16, 1975,
during the lead-up to Indonesia’s full scale invasion of the territory.
"Whatever the coroner’s conclusion, the inquest reminds us that the
killers of more than 100,000 Timorese who died as a result
of Indonesia’s illegal invasion and occupation of East Timor have
yet to face justice,“said Miller.”It is never too late to pursue
justice and accountability.“”With the exception of this inquest, no formal investigations or
proceedings are currently underway into the many serious crimes and
massacres committed prior to 1999 in occupied East Timor; a de facto
impunity exists for horrendous crimes against humanity,“he added.”Crimes committed by the Indonesian military (TNI) against their own
citizens are rarely addressed, let alone punished judicially," said
Shirley Shackleton. "Why would anyone expect TNI officers suspected
of murdering British, New Zealand and Australian citizens to be
brought to justice?" Shackleton’s husband, Greg, was another of the
journalists killed 31 years ago while investigating Indonesian
military cross-border attacks.
"The Australian and Indonesian national government’s ongoing refusal
to acknowledge these crimes or to fully cooperate with the inquest
have shown that both governments are, at best, only willing to pay
lip service to human rights accountability,“said Miller.”Where was the official Australian protest about Indonesia’s lack of
co-operation with the coronial inquiry?" asks Shackleton, who has
long advocated for justice for the East Timorese people.
“Regrettably, the struggle against impunity can take years,” said
Miller. "But it is necessary to ensure support for human rights and
democracy not only in East Timor, but Indonesia as well. In recent
weeks, perpetrators of serious crimes in Peru and Cambodia are being
called to account. It is time for those responsible for the brutal
crimes related to Indonesia’s invasion and occupation to be held accountable.“”Prior to the slayings in Balibo, deliberate targeting of journalists
was unusual. Allowing the Indonesian military to get away with these
murders and that of Roger East, has resulted in journalists all over
the word being killed with impunity," said Shackleton. East was
murdered in front of more than 100 witnesses, the day after Indonesia
launched its full scale invasion on December 7, 1975.
BACKGROUND
The five journalists — Brian Peters, Greg Shackleton, Gary
Cunningham, Malcolm Rennie, and Tony Stewart — were of British, New
Zealand and Australian nationalities. They were working for
Australian television networks while in East Timor. The inquest
focuses on Peters, a New South Wales resident at the time of his death.
The Australian and Indonesian governments have claimed that the
journalists were caught in the crossfire during the attack on Balibo.
But evidence presented to the coronial inquiry demonstrates that the
journalists were captured and then killed in an effort to cover up
evidence that Indonesian troops were violating East Timorese
territory. Lawyers for the family have said that the deaths were
premeditated murder and that those responsible should be tried for war crimes.
Evidence also shows that Australian officials were complicit with
Indonesia in covering up the crimes at the time. The overt lack of
concern by the Australian government over the deaths continues to the
present. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer advised the Indonesian
government not to worry about the Balibo inquest.
Retired-General and Jakarta mayor Sutiyoso — a captain in Team Susi,
the Indonesian military unit, that assaulted Balibo — was served
with an invitation from the coroner to appear at the inquest while in
Sydney. He quickly fled back to Jakarta, loudly protesting the
perceived insult. Australian officials, including its ambassador to
Indonesia, were quick to take Sutiyoso’s side.
Indonesia has said that the Balibo Five case is closed. "Basically,
for the Indonesian Government, it is a closed case, as simple as
that," an Indonesian foreign affairs ministry spokesman recently told
the media.
Recently, top-level perpetrators of human rights violations were
arrested in Peru and Cambodia. Peru’s ex-President Alberto Fujimori
and several top Khmer Rouge leaders are now in prison awaiting trial,
decades after brutalities they oversaw were committed.
ETAN advocates for democracy, justice and human rights for East Timor
and Indonesia. ETAN calls for an international tribunal to prosecute
crimes against humanity committed in East Timor from 1975 to 1999.
For additional background, see <http://www.etan.org/>
www.etan.org.
Contact: John M. Miller, +1/718-596-7668; +1/917-690-4391
Shirley Shackleton, +61/3-9699-1002
ETAN welcomes your financial support. For more info:
http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm
John M. Miller Internet: fbp igc.org
National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097
Mobile phone: (917)690-4391 Skype: john.m.miller
Web site: http://www.etan.org