6th September 1999
The deteriorating situation in East Timor demands immediate attention from all concerned with democracy, human rights and human dignity. According to reports being received from inside East Timor, the “pro-Indonesia” militia has stepped-up its indiscriminate attacks on anyone and anything considered to be “pro-independence”. The house of Nobel Laureate and human rights campaigner, Bishop Carlos Belo is reported to have been set alight by these forces. It would also appear as though these militia forces have now been joined, openly, by the Indonesian military in a joint display of intolerance and barbarity. Hundreds have been killed, thousands are being forced from their homes and attacks have been launched on both Red Cross and United Nations compounds where many have sought refuge. The SACP condemns these outrageous actions in the strongest terms.
It is simply unacceptable that the United Nations has not mobilised an international peacekeeping force to stop the killing and destruction. It would seem as though the lives of East Timorese are less valuable than those of other victims of atrocities, where the UN has had no hesitation in securing international intervention.
The South African Communist Party calls upon the United Nations to immediately dispatch an international peacekeeping force to halt the escalating social and human disaster and to force the Indonesian regime to respect the democratic will of the people of East Timor. We also call upon all progressive forces in South Africa and across the world to do all in their capacities to pressurise the United Nations and their respective governments to act now and lend all available support to save the people of East Timor.
Issued by the SACP Department of Information & Publicity
Blade Nzimande SACP General Secretary
E-Mail: sacp1@wn.apc.org
South African Communist Party Head Office
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
(Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2)
(Fax: 27 11 339-4244)