East Timor twenty years later

Violence marked the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Indonesian invasion of East Timor. Widespread demonstrations occurred throughout the territory and many young East Timorese joined in displaying anti- Indonesian sentiment. This scenario could hardly be described as a testament to the success of Indonesian integration.

The Timorese demonstrations took place despite severe repercussions from the Indonesian security forces. Some demonstrators were killed and hundreds detained, many complaining of beatings and torture. Over 1000 East Timorese have sought asylum in Australia within the last year.

From his Jakarta office, Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas issued claims that the trouble is caused by a small minority of agitators. Bishop Belo is the leader of the Catholic Church in East Timor, a church that now comprises the majority of East Timorese. The Bishop has repeadedly called for fundamental changes to improve the situation, including the protection of basic human rights and a genuine dialogue between the Indonesian Government and the East Timorese people. Observing the rapid marginalisation of the East Timorese, amidst an influx of Indonesian migrants who dominate the civil service and local economy, Bishop Belo draws attention to the need to protect the ethnic, cultural and religious identity of East Timorese people - sentiments publicly and repeatedly supported by Pope John Paul II.

Bishop Belo

Recent statements by other religious bodies deserve attention. A delegation from the Indonesian Bishops Conference recently discussed East Timor with President Suharto. The bishops acknowledged the ‘many deep wounds and traumatic experiences’ of the East Timorese, and called for greater sensitivity and attention to the socio-cultural problems of East Timor. This cautious statement by the Indonesian Bishops indicates their concern for East Timor, but also signals some distancing from the calls for more fundamental change voiced by Catholic clergy in East Timor.

Similar calls for change have been voiced by a leader of the Protestant Church in East Timor. Reverend Arlindo Marcal stated at a recent world Council of Churches meeting.

Bishop Belo draws attention to the need to protect the ethnic, cultural and religious identity of East Timorese people - sentiments publicly and repeatedly supported by Pope John Paul II.

Bishop Belo’s mediating role in the United Nations sponsored Intra-Timorese Dialogue in June was applauded by all participants. Nevertheless the Bishop has attracted public criticism from some Muslim leaders within Indonesia. In early October, a group of 100 prominent ulamas claimed that Bishop Belo was duplicitous. They pointed to statements in which he expressed regret for recent ‘un-Christian’ demonstrations, while at the same time criticising Indonesian government policies in East Timor. There is a real danger that, in order to appeal to the sympathies of some parties, the conflict in East Timor will be man-ipulatively portrayed as a religious one. While religious antagonism occurs, this is part of a more complex mix of ethnic, cultural, political, social and economic divisions. The huge growth of the Catholic Church in East Timor is largely due to East Timorese conversions to Catholicism under Indonesian rule. By contrast, the growth of Islam in East Timor is mainly the result of an influx of migrants from other Indonesian islands.

In a pastoral letter of 13 September 1995, Bishop Belo urged East Timorese youth to abstain from violence and to lead by example in the struggle for human rights. He also appealed to Indonesian authorities to engage in open dialogue with the young Timorese.

Addressing people of all beliefs who seek a just solution to the conflict, Bishop Belo wrote: ‘We all have to build bridges, meet each other, accept each other, mutually trust in each other, have a single heart and a single spirit.’ After 20 years, let’s hope his words soon bear fruit.

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