Jesuit Refugee Service is heavily involved in helping the people caught in the East Timor crisis. This page provides news and statements from other Jesuit organisations (whose views may vary).
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Philippine Province Statement
Office of the Provincial
PHILIPPINE PROVINCE
SOCIETY OF JESUS
HALT THE VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR!
10 September 1999News of the events of the past few days in East Timor have been most distressing. In the aftermath of the UN-administered referendum of 30 August, the violence has not only continued, but also even intensified. The violence has veered toward the physical elimination of the leadership of the majority pro-independence movement, the forcible exile of the pro-independence mass base, and the killing, maiming or mauling of Roman Catholic Christian bishops, priests and women and men religious who are risking their lives to protect their people from further harm.
Initial reports have noted that the outbreak of violence this past week alone has seen the killing of hundreds of East Timorese civilians. Hundreds have been severely injured. Many more are in danger, threatened and terrorized by pro-integration militias, backed by powerful elements in the Indonesian armed forces and police, who have vowed to use all means to challenge any move towards East Timorese independence.
Arson and looting continue to be carried out with impunity, as the militias take it out on a populace that bravely defied their intimidation and threats in the past few months to overwhelmingly vote to secede from Indonesia. The turmoil has driven many civilians to flee their homes, by boarding inter-island ferries, or taking to the hillsides. Thousands took shelter in various sanctuaries--mainly Roman Catholic Christian churches and residences and United Nations facilities--in the capital town of Dili and in other towns. However, many of these refugees have since been rounded up by the militias, and forcibly evacuated to West Timor and other parts of Indonesia, where they have been kept in guarded camps. Reports have it that as of 8 September, already 200,000 East Timorese (a quarter of the total population) have been displaced from their homes.
In all this, a key target of militia aggression has been the Roman Catholic Christian Church, whose personnel and institutions have provided shelter to the refugees. One Catholic bishop, Basilio do Nascimento (of Baucau), has been shot at, stabbed and wounded, and forced to flee. Last 6 September, the residence of Nobel Peace Prize awardee Bishop Carlos Belo (of Dili) was attacked and burnt. Groups concerned for the welfare and self-determination of the East Timorese people took him to Australia in order to preserve in him a prominent and credible voice to speak for the East Timorese people and to tell the world what they are suffering at the hands of brutal pro-integration militia backed by powerful segments of the Indonesian armed forces and police.
Some half a dozen priests and several nuns have also already been killed. Some others are missing. To hide these horrors, the militias have also assaulted foreign groupsjournalists, referendum observers, aid groups, UN workerswhose witness reports could hurt the interests of those who favor integration with Indonesia.
This atrocious violence has to stop. The blatant disregard for human life; the destruction and devastation of property; the forcible displacement of the East Timorese people; the reign of terror by the militias, resorting to these brutal coercive tactics, must end before it slips into mass slaughter and genocide.
- We challenge the Indonesian government to act speedily and effectively, in line with its assent to the May 5 agreement. In the agreement, Indonesia pledged that it would be responsible for the security of East Timor, and for the maintenance of peace and order in the territory, until such time that the results of the referendum can be confirmed and enforced. In particular, we address President B.J. Habibie and armed forces chief General Wiranto to demonstrate their claims that Indonesia can manage its own affairs. We are particularly dismayed by the apparent inaction of military and police officials deployed to East Timor, who have done little to check militia violence.
- We appeal to all nations and international agencies, and especially to our Philippine government, , to continue to pressure Indonesia to keep its word and make it clear that its international reputation is at stake in this effort. Clearly, statements of intention and official pronouncements, and even the proclamation of martial law, are inadequate, especially when corresponding actions have still not been manifested.
- Should Indonesia still be unable to restore order, despite all efforts, we demand that a foreign international peacekeeping force be immediately invited, to help arrest the worsening of the situation, to prevent any further bloodshed and destruction of property, and to re-establish law and order.
- If and when the situation stabilizes, we call for the return of all displaced East Timorese people to their homes and lands.
- As we await such a restoration of displaced East Timorese, we appeal to the international community once more, to help in the relief and rehabilitation of the people, through financial aid, medical supplies, food, clothing, and other means of assistance. We pledge to make our own contribution to this relief and rehabilitation effort.
We are one with the East Timorese people in their struggle against violence, injustice and repression. We are aware that the events of the past weeks have already wounded them deeply, and the grave physical and psychological and spiritual wounds inflicted on them will probably remain open for a long time. We believe that their healing can only begin with the coming into being of a just order, based on a fundamental respect for human life and the protection of basic political, economic, sociocultural and environmental rights.
De la Costa House (Philippine Jesuit Provincialate), Quezon City, 10 September 1999.
(SGD) ROMEO J. INTENGAN, S.J. Provincial
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