The Indonesia Human Rights Committee has called on the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister to urge the Government of Timor Leste to release the report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation

The 2,500 page report of the independent truth commission has just been presented to Timor Leste's parliament and it does not spare the western nations who gave military and diplomatic backing to Indonesia as well as the role of arms corporations that profited from the sale of weapons to Indonesia. The report recommends that these nations and corporations pay reparations to the victims of human rights violations as part of their duty to "uphold the highest principles of world order and peace."

Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao is reluctant to release the report, presumably for fear of offending its neighbours. However, New Zealand should indicate that it is in support of truth and not afraid to face up to its complicity in the Indonesian invasion and occupation of Timor Leste.

New Zealand gave Indonesia military training and vital diplomatic support throughout the whole period of the Indonesian occupation. New Zealand tailored its responses carefully to avoid all but the mildest criticism of Indonesia's action at the time of the invasion. In 1978 while a brutal war was at its height New Zealand declared that the occupation was "irreversible". New Zealand did not vote for a single one of the ten UN resolutions supporting the right of the Timorese people to self-determination.

The report also recommends that those responsible for war crimes in Timor Leste are brought justice. This would help to end the dangerous culture of military impunity in Indonesia and would support the people of West Papua who continue to live under conditions of harsh military oppression.

New Zealand should add its weight to the calls of human rights groups in Timor Leste, Indonesia and around the world who are calling for the release of the report and for justice for all the victims of human rights abuses.

For further information: Maire Leadbeater 09-815-9000, 0274-436-957

Rt Hon Helen Clark,
Prime Minister,
Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Hon Winston Peters,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Parliament Buildings,
Wellington.

3 December, 2005

Dear Mr Peters,

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee calls on the New Zealand Government to urge the Government of Timor Leste to release the report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (known by its Portuguese initials, CAVR).

The 2,500 page report of truth commission has just been presented by President Xanana Gusmao to Timor Leste's parliament and we understand that the report offers a comprehensive account of the impact of the illegal Indonesian invasion and occupation. The report in Indonesian, English and Portuguese discusses the role of western nations who gave military and diplomatic backing to Indonesia even though they were aware of atrocities taking place in East Timor. The report also refers to the role of arms corporations that profited from the sale of weapons to Indonesia and recommends that these nations and corporations pay reparations to the victims of human rights violations as part of their duty to "uphold the highest principles of world order and peace."

As you know, New Zealand is one of the countries which gave Indonesia military training support throughout the whole period of the Indonesian occupation and also offered Indonesia vital diplomatic support. New Zealand consulted closely with the Indonesian Government and crafted its responses to the invasion and occupation carefully to avoid all but the mildest criticism of Indonesia's action. In 1978 while a brutal war was at its height New Zealand declared that the occupation was "irreversible". New Zealand did not vote for a single one of the ten UN resolutions supporting the right of the Timorese people to self-determination.

The truth commission report also calls on Indonesia and the international community to ensure that those implicated in documented cases of human rights abuses have their assets frozen and are prevented from traveling. They must also face trial.

The Commission was established under law at the time when the United Nations administered Timor Leste and funded by international donors.

We understand that there is requirement for the report to be submitted to the United Nations Secretary General.

However, President Xanana Gusmao is currently reluctant to release its full contents, presumably for fear of offending western nations including New Zealand and neighbouring Indonesia.

However, we believe that it is essential that the report is made public in the interests of the victims and also in the interests of achieving a correct understanding of this shameful chapter. It will inevitably be painful for New Zealanders and other western peoples to face the truth about their government's past role but disclosure is vital in order that we may learn never to repeat such tragic errors.

We should also be willing to consider giving financial compensation to those who have suffered because of our actions.

Disclosure of the report will also help those in Indonesia who are work against the military culture of impunity and unaccountability, and the people of West Papua who continue to live under conditions of harsh military oppression.

We understand that the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation has made recommendations that are in common with those made by the UN Commission of Experts (COE) earlier this year. The COE strongly recommended that there be an international tribunal to ensure that those responsible for crimes against humanity in Timor Leste are brought to account.

Please add New Zealand's weight to the call for the release in full of this important report and for a fair and just international tribunal for the historic crimes committed in Timor Leste.

Yours sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater (for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee)

Copy to Hon Phil Goff,
Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control,
Parliament Buildings,
Wellington.

Indonesia Human Rights Committee
Box 68-419
Auckland

IHRC
P.O. Box 68 419
Newton, Auckland.
Phone/fax: 64-9-8159000
Email: maire@clear.net.nz