Students of East Timor National University chanted slogans outside a campus building, which faces the parliament, against a plan by lawmakers to buy themselves new cars with state funds.
Timor Leste: Xanana Gusmao govt depletes Petroleum Fund, arrests protesting students (+ video)
By Tomas Freitas
Dili, July 8, 2008 -- On Monday July 7 at 9am, approximately 100 students held a protest on their campus, the East Timor National University, against the members of the national parliament. The students are not happy about the MPs who are about to buy a imported luxury car each for themselves. The students protested peacefully by holding banners, yet 21 students were detained by the Timorese National Police.
Timorese law states that there may be no demonstrations within 100 metres of government buildings. However the students were protesting on their own campus. The location of the campus is indeed less than 100 metres from the National Parliament; however this is the students' campus, an important place for expression of free speech and demonstrations.
It is not clear who issued the order to arrest the students but it is widely believed that the order came from Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao himself.
On May 23, 2008, the Council of Ministers approved the final draft of the Mid Year Budget 2008. The total proposed amount is US$773.3 million, to be spent as follows: $59.4 million for 12,600 civil servants' salaries, including police and defence forces; $240 million for the food crisis and $207.4 million for goods and services; $1.4 million will buy luxury cars for each member of the National Parliament; $114.7 million for infrastructure development and $112.2 million for pensions and other social security.
The Gusmao government has cut domestic income tax to almost 10% flat rate and spent almost 30% of the Petroleum Fund to cover its budget deficit. The Petroleum Fund was established by the previous Fretilin government. But now the fund is under threat. In order to be sustainable, only $396 million should be taken out of the fund this year, however the Gusmao government has taken an extra $290.7 million to balance the prices of construction material and to assist in the food crisis, through tasking his friend, the vice-secretary general of the CNRT, to purchase rice in Asian countries without tender.
The continuing inability of the government to carry out the previous budget did not stop Gusmao increasing budget allocations. Only $31.9 million from $347.5 million of budget allocations has actually been executed for this first trimester. The previous execution of the Gusmao government's transitional budget was not certified by the Delloitte Company, which usually certifies the execution report from the Timorese government.
The issues of the purchase of luxury cars and the Petroleum Fund are now big issues in the country. Civil society, media and the Timorese people have criticised this budget, but the academics are silent because their money comes from the government. In turn, the minister of education Joao Cancio has criticised the students, and asked them not to use the campus as a place for demonstrations. Ironically this minister was previously the Head of the Dili Institute Technology, one of the country's universities.
The student demonstrations are continuing. The police continue to protect the parliament zone and have arrested more than 17 students in this morning. The crackdown on the students is ironic, considering the pivotal role that students played in East Timor's struggle for independence, a role that PM Gusmao himself has previously acknowledged.
[Tomas Freitas is director of Luta Hamutuk, a progressive Timorese NGO.]
Timor Leste Students' Petition
the President of the Parliament, Fernando Lasama and the two
vice-Presidents of the Parliament, Vicente Guterres and Maria Paixão),
the Office of the President (received by the Chief of the Cabinet, Ms
Natalia Carrascalão), the Office of the Prime Minister (received by Ms
Elisabeth Exposto) and the F-FDTL (received by Colonel Lere).
The students will also deliver the same petition to the Court of
Appeal and the Office of the Ombudsman. The petition was presented by
Timor Leste University Students Solidarity Action (ASUTIL).
It demands the following:
1. that state institutions look into measures to decrease food prices
to allow people to have greater access to food.
2. that the President of the Republic uses his power of veto to block
the rectifiying budget because it is too high, the government is
incapable spending it appropriately, it is only going to further
benefit the powerful elite, it would lead to corruption and also lead
to greater dependency of Timor-Leste on debts when the country stops
receiving revenues from the petroleum resources. This could happen in
the very near future.
3. that the Parliament blocks the proposal on the arms law in which
article 4 is a major concern.
4. that the President and the both Vice-Presidents of the Parliament
should not change the agreement they had made with the students on the
June 12, 2008 in regards to the purchase of the luxury cars for the
parliamentarians. On this agreement they were told that only 26 cars
would be purchased for the Parliament Committees.
5. that Mariano Sabino, the Minister of Agriculture should stop making
agreements to provide land for foreign companies for sugar cane and
rubber plantations because people need this land for food production.
6. that the President meets the students to hold talks on scholarships
which should have taken place on February 11, 2008 (the date of the
assassination attempt on the President).
7. that government should resolve the issue of Internally Displaced
People to avoid having refugees in our own country.
A peace march will be organized to defend people's rights if the
students' demands are not met.
Action Coordinator: Santiago Ximenes Vaz "Kilikai Mata"
Spokesperson: Marcos Guterres Gusmão "Auraga"
Dili, 7 July 2008
Contact: +670 737 9007
See updated report on the Timorese students' campaign at:
http://www.asia-pacific-action.org/node/90
Media Release: FRETILIN July 9, 2008
Media Release: FRETILIN July 9, 2008
FRETILIN MPs back Amnesty International concern at student arrests
The Gusmao de facto AMP government and its allies in the national parliament have to listen to Amnesty International's concerns, said the MPs from FRETILIN yesterday, as a further 21 students were arrested while holding another peaceful protest against government corruption.
FRETILIN is the largest party in the Timor-Leste parliament.
"We as Timorese who resisted against the Suharto military regime, in many instances have Amnesty International to thank for helping to save our lives," said Aniceto Guterres, leader of the FRETILIN parliamentary group.
"Many Timorese escaped death and torture because Amnesty International was our defender throughout the world, at a time when we did not have a voice, when there were few who would listen to our cries. They were listening only to the large nations, big powers, listening mostly to the Indonesians.
On Monday, July 7, Amnesty called on police in Timor-Leste not to use excessive force on student protestors.
They also said: "We urge security forces to respect people's right to protest peacefully. Individuals should have the freedom to express their views in public through legitimate protest.
"According to press reports, today saw a number of people detained 'for investigation purposes' at one demonstration in Dili. We also ask for any individuals detained for protesting to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence, or released immediately," said Amnesty International.
Guterres urged members of parliament and the de facto government not to forget that their constitution consecrates the right to demonstrate as a basic right in their democracy. "We want to remind everyone of this basic principle and give our unqualified support to the exercise of this right," he said..
"All FRETILIN members of parliament would also like to make it clear that after we investigated Monday's events, we found that the students had acted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
We condemn the use of what we regard in the circumstances to have been excessive force by the Police," Aniceto Guterres said.
The law on public demonstrations does not require police authorization before a demonstration can proceed. It merely requires notice be given to the police. "We have seen the letter from the police to the students 'denying authorization' for the demonstration. This is not required by law," said Guterres on behalf of the FRETILIN MPs.
As has been widely televised and witnessed, the students involved on Monday were not on the road, they were standing on the verandah of the university. The police entered the verandah to arrest them. The students were standing peacefully and with dignity. "Our view is that Monday's actions by the police were illegal and we do not accept their actions," said Guterres..
"FRETILIN members of parliament clearly declare that we have no objections to anyone demonstrating in front of the parliament peacefully and in a democratic spirit. That's democracy. In 2006 and 2007, the FRETILIN government was faced with many such demonstrations. We do not mind if people want to express their criticism of their politicians. That is their right.
"Long live democracy. Long Live the RDTL. Long live the Maubere People," concluded Guterres.
Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes: + 670 727 0458
Police brace for more protests in East Timor
[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/ra/programguide/stories/200807/s2298622.htm]
Police brace for more protests in East Timor
Updated July 9, 2008 11:03:46
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Police and security forces in East Timor are braced for a further day of protests outside the National University in Dili.
Since Monday, dozens of the students have been arrested as part of a continuing demonstration against what they say is government waste in the mid year budget review and a proposed new law that would allow civilians to carry guns.
Presenter: Stephanie March
Speakers: Caralino Marquez from Universities of East Timor Combined Action group; Marcos Gusmao, student representitive; Carlos Pereira, UN police Dili District Commander.
MARCH: Students gathered at the National University early in the morning as tear gas from the previous day's clash with police still filtered through the building-
Holding a scarf in front of his face to stop the effects of the gas, Caralino Marquez who is one of the leaders of the Universities of East Timor Combined Action group told the ABC they would continue protesting regardless of how many members of the group are arrested.
MARQUEZ: Yesterday's action was not a violent action it was a peaceful action and we had a silent protest. We did this action not on parlimentary grounds but on our own campus on the verandah.
MARCH: A further 18 demonstrators were taken away by police mid-morning after forming a human barricade in front of the building. With white tape covering their mouths the group held signs saying they represent the poor people and their families. Hundreds of students inside the building sang the national anthem and chanted "viva" as their friends were put into waiting police vans. Another group of students have a permit to demonstrate at Dili's Democracy Field, and have vowed to continue their protest for the rest of the week. Standing in front of the university United Nations Police Dili District Commander Carlos Pereira says he believes the group at the university are fully aware thier actions are illegal.
PEREIRA: After eight hours of discussion they don't agree with the law and they insist to have the demonstrations here. As you probably know demonstrations here are illegal because they are less than 100 metres from government buildings and the law doesn't allow that.
MARCH: The students first began protesting a month ago against a unilateral decision by the parliamentary president Fernando Lasama de Aroujo to purchase vechicles for each of the 65 members of parliament. The $1.4 million purchase is accounted for in the mid year budget review which is being debated by parliament this week. Concerns have been raised by NGOs and members of parliament over the large sums of money included in the review that's allocated for government ministers and MPs. If the review is passed it will double the current budget of around $400 million.
A delegation of students from the legal Democracy Field protests presented a letter and petition to the president of parliament outlining their concerns.
Their spokesperson Marcos Gusmao says despite the hour long conversation they failed to reach a solution.
GUSMAO: What did he say to us? He said that everything he is doing has a legal basis. But we would say it's got no moral conscience. It's got no consideration for the people. As students we maintain our position.
MARCH: Student representative Carolino Marquez says this weeks protests are also about a gun law proposed by the Xanana Gusmao government that would enable civillians to carry arms. Several MPs almost came to blows in parliament during the debate over the proposed bill, that has now been pushed aside for further consideration after the mid year budget review is complete.
MARQUEZ: The debate in the parliament was important because the law could allow for civilians to get guns and thus there will be an impact because it will allow people to kill one another. And I think we can't allow that. We don't agree with that.
MARCH: Carlos Pereira from the UN police says they are trying to contact the dean of the university to organize a peaceful end to the demonstrations, but so-far their phone calls have gone unanswered.
PEREIRA: Well we are prepared to have the same situation the same scenario tomorrow the day after tomorrow until Friday.
MARCH: Are there any concerns it could lead to violence?
PEREIRA: No, our intelligence report says that ...we hope we don't have to use violence against them, so far it has been calm and quiet.
Timor Leste: 52 students in jail after 3 days of protest
Eyewitness report from Timor Leste: 52 students in jail after 3 days of protest
The protest which was initiated by a group of students has spread to other parts of Timor Leste’s society. Solidarity messages from inside and outside country were delivered, showing the strong spirit of solidarity that exists between movements in the region. Former Timorese political prisoners have condemned this awful attitude shown by the Timorese government led by Xanana Gusmao. Yesterday the National Youth Association of Timor-Leste (CONJTL) declared their strong solidarity with the students and will join the peaceful demonstrations alongside the students.
* Messages of solidarity can also be emailed via Tomas Freitas
* Watch NNC TV report on the student protest
Prime Minister Gusmao does not care about the criticism that is coming from Timor-Leste Civil Society. The purchase of the cars is Gusmao’s attempt to buy off opposition votes. However, he has not been able to buy the votes of FRETILIN (holding 21 seats) and the National Unity Party (holding 3 seats). Because of all this he has ignored the criticism of Amnesty International in relation to the arrest of the protesters.
Gusmao with his minister for finance know exactly how much money is needed to purchase 65 luxury cars, Toyota Prado SUVs, and where those cars will be imported from, Japan. The total amount allocated in the budget to buy the cars is US$3.086 million. Divided by 65 this is US$47.476 thousand for each car. At the moment, the monthly salary for each member of parliament is US$415. In addition, they receive accommodation allowance of US$300 per month, telephone allowance of US$250 per month and may receive additional per diem payments of a maximum of US$200 per month. This income is very unfair if we compare with an ordinary Timorese people like a Security Guard or Level 1 Civil Servents who receive only $85 per/month.
Gusmao’s public statements undermine Timor-Leste’s internationally applauded Petroleum Fund which was itself based on the Norwegian Model for the Petroleum Fund. Gusmao tries to look smart on television when he tries to explain what is meant by the change in investment strategy of the Petroleum Fund to 60% of equity and 40% of bonds. However, when he is questioned by parliamentarians, civil society or journalists he just responds by calling people “Stupid”. He does not want the public to correct his government on how to manage the Petroleum Fund, even though the public realises that his government does not have the capacity to execute the previously approved $294 million which is still in the Banking and Payments Authority.
Solidarity message to students in Timor Leste from the PSM
Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) condemns the government of Timor Leste
for the arrests of students who held protest at the National University
in Dili. The students were protesting against the mid-year budget which
approved allocation for each member of parliament to buy luxury imported
car, and the misuse of Petroleum Fund.
PSM calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all the
students who detained by the authority, and urges the government of
Timor Leste to respect the right for freedom of assembly.
It should be reminded that the students have played a pivotal role in
the struggle for Timor Leste's independence, and now ironically Gusmao's
government has turn the back against the students.
PSM extends its solidarity with the students' struggle for justice in
Timor Leste, and supports the 7-point petition presented by Timor Leste
University Students Solidarity Action (ASUTIL) on 7 July 2008.
In solidarity,
Choo Chon Kai
International Bureau
Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
Timor Leste: Solidarity message from the DSP Australia
Timor Leste: 21 students released
ETAN Urges Respect for Right to Protest in Timor-Leste
ETAN Urges Respect for Right to Protest in Timor-Leste
Contact John M. Miller, National Coordinator, +1/718-596-7668
July 10 - The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) is
deeply disturbed by heavy-handed police actions -- including the use
of tear gas and large numbers of arrests -- against nonviolent
student demonstrators in Dili this week. We urge Timor-Leste
authorities to fully respect the right of peaceful protest and to
immediately release everyone arrested for peacefully expressing their
views. Police procedures and training should be reviewed so that
similar over-reactions do not take place in the future.
The right to assemble and peacefully-protest government policy is
enshrined in Timor-Leste's constitution and in the human rights
treaties that Timor-Leste ratified upon becoming independent. The
struggle to achieve these rights, and their exercise by people around
the world, were fundamental to Timor's independence struggle.
The police action appears to be based on the flawed law on
demonstrations and assembly, which bars demonstrations in public
places within 100 meters of official buildings and other listed
locations. The main building of the National University of
Timor-Leste is directly across the street from the National
Parliament, less than 100m away.
When the demonstration and assembly law was drafted in 2005, many
argued that the distance limit (originally set at 500 m) was an
arbitrary, excessive limitation on the Constitutional right to free
speech. The 100-meter limit in the law must be removed. In the
meantime, the right of students to peacefully assemble on their
campus must be respected.
The actions of the police raise questions about whether the
international training instituted after the 2006 crisis has increased
the PNTL's understanding of its role in protecting human rights or
how to respect them?
The government of Timor-Leste has a constitutional and international
legal obligation to protect freedom of expression, not limit it. The
government and the PNTL must carry out this obligation whether or not
they agree with what is being expressed.
ETAN is concerned that the focus of the student demonstrations -- a
122% increase in government expenditures as a mid-year "budget
adjustment" -- has serious implications which have not been debated
widely in Timor-Leste. We support the students in bringing this issue
to public attention, and encourage all East Timorese and others
concerned about the country to be vigilant in helping Timor-Leste
avoid falling into the "resource curse" that engulfs nearly all
low-income, petroleum-dependent countries.
ETAN advocates for democracy, justice and human rights for
Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Indonesia. For more information, see www.etan.org.
****
ETAN welcomes your support. For more info: http://etan.org/
John M. Miller
National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
Skype: john.m.miller
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Timor: All protesters now released
All the remaining students arrested for protesting against the Xanana
Gusmao government's purchase of imported luxury Toyota Prado SUV's for
MPs have now been released. On July 13, 21 students were released and
on July 14, the courts also released the remaining 31 students who had
been detained for 72 hours at the Caicoli Detention Center in Dili.
More: http://www.asia-pacific-action.org/node/96
Sad To See This:
Sad to see that people in some countries can't protest without getting beat up by police. I'm happy that I'm Canadian in the sense that if I don't agree with something I can voice my opinion.
It's also good to see that these students of Timor are standing up for things that are important to them. Real life stories and situations for sure.