BROOKLYN, NY (Oct. 20, 2011) — A joint statement by TAPOL (UK), the West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT, US) and East Timor Action Network (ETAN, US)

On Wednesday, a meeting of thousands of indigenous Papuans in Jayapura, West Papua, became the scene of a brutal crackdown by Indonesian security forces. Indonesian troops and police Mobile Brigades reportedly fired hundreds of shots to disperse the crowd, pistol-whipped participants and beat them with batons and rattan canes. They arrested around 300 participants. According to the Indonesian press, security forces turned violent when Papuan indigenous leaders, who had gathered to discuss their basic rights, issued a declaration of independence.

Continue Reading

Brussels (March 28, 2011) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the transfer of responsibilities for all police operations in Timor-Leste from the United Nations mission to the country’s national force, calling it an important step for the young nation.

Continue Reading

Brooklyn, NY (February 21, 2011) – A coalition of groups in Timor-Leste is urging the United Nations Security Council “to take concrete, effective actions to end impunity for those who directed and committed crimes against humanity in Timor-Leste” during Indonesia’s invasion and occupation.

Continue Reading

NEW YORK (February 22, 2011) – With Timor-Leste continuing to consolidate peace and stability and promote development, the United Nations is already planning for the end of a mission in the once troubled country that could serve as an example for other operations, a senior UN official said today.

Continue Reading

A coalition of groups in Timor-Leste is urging the United Nations Security Council “to take concrete, effective actions to end impunity for those who directed and committed crimes against humanity in Timor-Leste” during Indonesia’s invasion and occupation. [see http://www.etan.org/news/2011/02anti.htm for the text of the letter and a complete list of signers.]

Continue Reading

Brooklyn, NY (December 13, 2010) ­– The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network and the West Papua Advocacy Team urge the Indonesian Government to respect the rights of and end the persecution of internationally recognized prisoners of conscience Filep Karma and Buchtar Tabuni who were transferred from Abepura Prison to Jayapura Police Headquarters on December 3, 2010.

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C. – The Indonesian Embassy in the United Stated this week stated that the nation is “appreciative and deeply heartened” by the kind words of sympathy and prayers from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and all American friends after the earthquake and tsunami in Mentawai Islands and the eruption of Mount Merapi in Central Java that followed.

Continue Reading

Brooklyn, NY (September 29, 2010) – The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network and West Papua Advocacy Team on Wednesday urged the U.S. government to suspend all funding and training of Indonesia’s Detachment 88 police unit pending review of charges leveled against the unit for systemic human rights violations, including use of torture.

Continue Reading

Brooklyn, NY (September 16, 2010) – The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network and West Papua Advocacy Team are deeply concerned about the appointment of Dino Patti Djalal as the Indonesia’s Ambassador-designate to the United States. We urge President Obama to reject his credentials and urge Jakarta to send an Ambassador untainted by complicity with human rights violations and with greater credibility.

Continue Reading

Brooklyn, NY (August 16, 2010) – John M. Miller, National Coordinator, East Timor & Indonesia Action Network, East Timor and Indonesia, said Monday that the organization sent a letter to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, regarding the ongoing concerns about human rights in East Timor. The letter stated:

Continue Reading