By Nick Everett
BRISBANE — Fifty people attended a speak out in support of East Timor in the Queen Street Mall on July 15. The protest was called in response to the previous day's violent crackdown by Indonesian troops on a protest in Dili. The activists also demanded that Australian oil companies get out of the Timor Gap.
On July 14, Indonesian military and police violently dispersed a 500-strong march by students in Dili, killing at least three students and injuring more than 30. The students, who tried to stage a peaceful march from the university to the parliament building, were beaten with clubs by police and troops as they tried to flee.
Armindo Mayo, vice-president of the University of East Timor, said that the protesters had planned to meet with local parliamentary officials to demand action be taken against two soldiers who abused the sacraments during Mass at a local Catholic church. Mayo, who led the protest, also demanded that the Indonesian military authorities allow East Timorese freedom of religion.
At the speak out, Verdy Maia, a member of the East Timorese community, described how his people had been denied basic human rights since Indonesia invaded in 1975. He said the latest incident was part of an ongoing war against the people of East Timor. Verdy also accused the federal Labor government of doing nothing for his people.
Amy Stockwood, a member of AKSI, Indonesia Solidarity Action, described the history of occupied East Timor and Brenden Greenhill, a ZZZ journalist, brought people up to date with events in Dili.
Greenhill described the emergence of the PRD (People's Democratic Union) in Indonesia as "extremely significant". The PRD, a new mass formation of students, workers and peasants, has voiced strong support for the East Timorese struggle. It has also been central to the current protests against media censorship in Indonesia.
On the same day, a picket was held outside the oil company Petroz NL. Next month, Petroz, in conjunction with BHP Petroleum, will start drilling in the Timor Gap. This follows the 1989 Timor Gap deal signed by the Keating and Suharto governments.
"We call on Petroz and BHP to halt their activities in the Timor Gap and demand that the federal government recognise the sovereignty of the East Timorese," said Lynda Hansen, spokesperson for AKSI.
Protesters plan to continue the campaign against Petroz and BHP's activities in the Timor Gap and are working towards a national day of action.