Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific is alarmed, but not surprised, at the violence that has erupted in East Timor in recent weeks. It is directly linked to the growing nation-wide frustration at continuing high unemployment, poverty and corruption in the Fretilin-led government.
ASAP has received many reports from East Timor pointing to a growing frustration with the Fretilin government, particularly the recent heavy-handed actions of police to quell social unrest. The concerns include the lack of: government transparency; democratic processes; employment opportunities; and rising poverty.
In a highly critical speech at the November 28 Independence Day commemorations, President Xanana Gusmao castigated the government for being "dazzled with power". He continued: "The notion that the legitimacy to govern Timor Leste only belongs to some, not only reveals arrogance but also a lack of political maturity and a complete lack of understanding of the difficulties our country is facing."
Gusmao called on the government to dismiss the Minister for Internal Affairs, Rogerio Lobato, who is responsible for police, for "incompetence and neglect".
The role and composition of the East Timorese police force is a major source of contention. There is considerable anger over the significant number of police who have links with the former Indonesian regime, including police chief Paulo Martins. Many East Timorese are angry that former Falintil resistance fighters – many of whom are unemployed and without skills or qualifications – do not constitute a larger component of the police force.
Deep frustration has been building across East Timor for some time and the shooting of a high school student on December 3 was the trigger for the latest protests. Police had attempted to forcibly remove a student from class over allegations that he was involved in a gang-related incident. Both the teacher and classmates refused to allow the police to take the student away. The teacher was beaten by the police.
On December 4, high school and university students plus members of East Timorese NGOs and political parties gathered to meet with representatives from parliament to express their concerns over the police actions of the previous day. At least another four people were shot dead as police fired into a crowd of unarmed demonstrators. Many more were injured when police attacked a demonstration of around 500 people with clubs and tear gas as it approached the police headquarters.
The police shootings in Dili came on the heels of similar confrontations in East Timor's second largest city, Baucau. On November 26, police killed a man taking part in a 3000-strong demonstration heading towards the Baucau police headquarters.
On December 5, Socialist Party of Timor General Secretary, Avelino da Silva described the situation in Dili as "very tense" . "It is like it was under the Suharto dictatorship'', he said, citing indiscriminate arrests and police threats to close down offices of all opposition parties.
Da Silva believes the government's inquiries into the riots is "just a cover for the police''. He warned that this was an "attack on democratic rights, supported by the media'' and called for an international campaign from progressive and solidarity organisations "to defend human rights and democracy''.
Poverty, discrimination between Timorese and Westerners in employment, as well as the inadequate infrastructure, are fueling the anger – especially among East Timorese youth. It is not surprising that this frustration is expressed not just in organised protests but also in attacks on government buildings, banks and foreign-owned businesses, particularly in the wake of police provocations.
The latest tragedy highlights the newest independent nation's desperately poor status. Yet, this hasn't stopped Canberra from attempting to steal the nation's much needed income from oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea. By ignoring international covenants, Canberra is trying to coveting tens of billions of dollars in royalties through the Timor Sea Agreement, royalties that East Timor desperately needs.
As if to add insult to injury, Canberra is currently trying to force 1,600 East Timorese refugees who have established their lives in Australia back to East Timor.
On December 5, Prime Minister John Howard announced that Australia would be providing more aid to the East Timorese police force. If Canberra was serious about assisting East Timor, it would stop trying to steal its resources and boost economic assistance to the new nation. War reparations are rightly due to our poor neighbour which waged a heroic 25-year struggle against Indonesia's occupation, supported by Australia.
[Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) in Darwin is organising an emergency rally on December 7, at 10am, at Parap Markets (near the fountain). For details, contact Sibylle on (08) 8985 3432.]