[Kabar-indonesia] ETAN: Australian Inquest into Balibo Journalists Killings in East Timor Shows Ongoing Need to Pursue Justice and Accountability

[John M Miller]

Australian Inquest into Balibo Journalists Killings in East Timor 
Shows Ongoing Need to Pursue Justice and Accountability

Contact: John M. Miller, +1/718-596-7668; +1/917-690-4391
Shirley Shackleton, +61/3-9699-1002

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.


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John M. Miller         Internet: etan at igc.org
National Coordinator

East Timor & Indonesia Action Network
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668      Mobile: (917)690-4391
Skype: john.m.miller  Web: http://www.etan.org

Send a blank e-mail message to info at etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet