A decision by East Timor’s government to release a militant wanted for an infamous 1999 church massacre a decade ago this week has sparked angry protests by human rights groups and members of Parliament.
The leading opposition Fretilin party walked out of Monday’s parliamentary session to protest the release of Martenus Bere, and the Dili-based Lau Hamutuk research institute accused Timor’s government of violating the constitution.
Bere, an alleged militia leader, was indicted in 2003 for the September 6 1999 Suai church rampage when dozens of Timorese civilians were raped, murdered, tortured and abducted. Among the dead were three priests.
More than 1 000 people were killed by Indonesian troops and pro-Indonesian proxy militias during several weeks of chaos surrounding the August 30 1999 vote to split from Indonesia. The violence, which destroyed much of East Timor’s infrastructure, prompted a major foreign military intervention.
Warrants were subsequently issued by prosecutors for nearly 400 individuals allegedly involved in atrocities in East Timor — where 174 000 people died during the 24-year Indonesian occupation — but only one person stood trial.
Bere was recognised and detained by Timorese police last month crossing into East Timor, but released on August 30 — the independence anniversary.
About 300 suspects ”have enjoyed sanctuary in Indonesia”, Lau Hamutuk said on its website. On the 10th anniversary of the independence vote ”the new nation’s leaders abrogated its Constitution to meet Indonesia’s wishes”.
Details of the release are still unclear, but Duarte Nunes, a lawmaker for the party of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, said the release was part of efforts to reconcile the past and maintain good relations with Indonesia.
”For the stability and national interests of reconciliation I agreed with the decision of our Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and our President Jose Ramos-Horta to free Martenus Bere,” the lawmaker said. ”But I am upset and dissatisfied with their intervention … in our judicial process.”
The tiny nation’s justice minister and chief prosecutor were summoned to explain the circumstances of the release, a statement issued by Parliament said. — Sapa-AP