Human Rights? Wiranto and The Independence of East Timor

Judul	:	Human Rights? Wiranto and The Independence of East Timor
Penulis	:	Bilveer Singh
Penerbit	:	Book House, Book and Writers Network Sydney
Bahasa	:	Inggris
Tahun Cetak	:	2004
Halaman	:	349
ISBN	:	978-174-0183-147
Harga	:	Rp. 100.000
Status	:	Ada

 

Even though the United Nations' interest in East Timor can be traced from the debate on its status as a non self-governing territory, Portugal, the colonial power, was largely unmoved as it was not a United Nations' member until 1955. The status quo only altered following a change in regime in Portugal as a result of the 'Flower Revolution' in 1974. Rather, irresponsibly, Portuguese leftist officers in-charge of East Timor abandoned the colonial territory when a furious civil war was taking place amidst great loss of lives. Indonesia's intervention, with the support of the United States, can be directly traced to this Portuguese failure, culminating in territory's integration into Indonesia.

Indonesia's actions were however not fully endorsed by the international community and the territory continued to be regarded as a non self-governing territory. Due to the Cold War, the situation was somewhat tolerated with Australia even recognizing Indonesia's sovereignty over East Timor. At the same time, the territory was plagued by warfare with the pro-independence insurgents fighting the Indonesian military and the pro-integration forces. This situation continued until May 1998. After Suharto's resignation, President Habibie decided to give the East Timorese the right to decide their future with Indonesia. Following the United Nations' sponsored ballot, unfortunately marred by fraud and injustice, the East Timorese opted for independence.

Due largely to the manner the ballot was conducted, the behavior of UNAMET officials prior and after the ballot, and the animosity of the pro and anti-integration forces toward each other, violence broke in East Timor even though many in the West blamed Indonesia, and in particular, the Indonesian military (TNI) and its then commander, General Wiranto.

The study traces the evolution of East Timor's independence and examines the factors behind the many human rights abuses in the territory. Can the TNI and Wiranto be blamed for the violence that transpired in East Timor? Why is the West, especially Australia, so keen on blaming the TNI and Wiranto on what transpired in East Timor? Was the West in any way responsible for the actual violence that broke out in East Timor? Does Australia's East Timor policy since independence explain why it was keen on exaggerating what happened in the territory and allaying blame on the TNI? What was Australia's role in the violence that broke out in East Timor? In hindsight, with so much evidence coming out of East Timor pertaining to the UNAMET and Australia's role, what verdict can be made on Wiranto's culpability as far as human rights violations are concerned? It is hoped that this study will contribute in shedding new light on this matter, especially as far as Wiranto and the independence of East Timor is concerned.