How you can help the East Timorese

You can help the East Timorese by writing to your political leaders urging them to take a tougher stand on Indonesian Government. Indonesia has the poorest human rights record and lived under a military dictatorship for more than thirty years. The Suharto regime which collapsed recently was dubbed the most corrupt in the world ruling the nation with an iron fist. In December 1975, Suharto ordered his troops to invade East Timor, a former Portuguese colony and in the process more than 200,000 East Timorese were killed. The East Timorese fought back but were unsuccessful. The Suharto regime also ruled East Timor with fear disregarding their basic human rights. Today, even with the new government, the future of East Timor is still uncertain as ever. Will the new president, B. J. Habibie bring democratic reform as promised? No one is sure. However, the world must keep trying to bring democracy to Indonesia and therefore end all human right abuses, especially in East Timor.

Please write to the following people to show your support for the people of East Timor and Indonesia.

Australia:

• The Australian Prime Minister Mr. John Howard (Liberal Party) john.howard@aph.gov.au
• The Australia Minister for Foreign Affair Mr. Alexander Downer (Liberal Party).
  You can fax Mr. Dawner by clicking here and it simple and free.
• Australian federal opposition leader Mr. Kym Beazley (Labour Party) kim.beazley@aph.gov.au
• Leader of the Australian Democrats Ms. Meg Lees senator.lees@aph.gov.au

Indonesia

• MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor)
  General Syahrir MS
  Pangdam IX/Udayana
  Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana
  Denpasar, Bali
  INDONESIA
  Telephone: +62 361 228 095
  Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
  
• CHIEF OF POLICE FOR EAST TIMOR
  Colonel Atok Rismanto
  Kapolda Timor Timur
  Dili, East Timor
  INDONESIA
  Telegrams: Kapolda, Dili, East Timor
  
• MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  Ali Alatas S.H
  Menteri Luar Negeri
  Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No. 6
  Jakarta
  INDONESIA
  Faxes: +62 21 360 541 / 360 517 / 380 5511 / 345 7782 / 724 5354
  
• SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
  Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa
  Sekretaris Jenderal, Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia (Komnas HAM)
  Jl Latuharhary No 4 B,
  Menteng Jakarta Pusat
  INDONESIA
  Phone/Fax: +62 21 392 5227
  Email: info@komnas.go.id

And also send appeals to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia in your country.

[home] [essays] [history] [links] [media] [poems]