Free East Timor campaign
MELBOURNE -- Around 30 people attended an Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) March 15 public meeting to launch its campaign for a national day of action on August 25 and to hear an eyewitness report of Jakarta actions from ASIET member Vannessa Hearman.
Hearman described the December occupations of embassies in Jakarta by East Timorese activists and their Indonesian supporters in the People's Democratic Union and noted the growing Indonesian democratic movement support for East Timorese self-determination. In the lively discussion that followed, flag-burning at East Timor solidarity demonstrations was debated.
Protest against military sales
CANBERRA -- A March 28 lunchtime picket outside British Aerospace (BAe) offices in Canberra protested the sale of 24 BAe Hawk jets to Indonesia. The Canberra Program for Peace organised the picket because the jets, ideal for counter-insurgency measures in mountainous terrains, are reportedly used in East Timor.
New women's liberation group
NEWCASTLE -- A new women's collective has been formed from the International Women's Day collective to organise activities for this year's Reclaim the Night protest. The group will also respond to developments affecting women with ongoing campaigns. All women are welcome to attend the first meeting on April 18. (See page 30 for details.)
East Timor campaign launched
SYDNEY -- About 150 people attended the March 22 launch of Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) in Sydney. Dissident Indonesian academic Dr George Aditjondro spoke about the "triangle of oppression" of Indonesia, Australia and East Timor.
One of the Bankstown four, who face prosecution for a pre-election protest at Paul Keating's electoral office, also spoke. The meeting received greetings from Fretilin and was attended by members of the Bougainville Freedom Movement and West Papua Support Group.
Demand action on domestic violence
SYDNEY -- On March 28, a week after Jean Lennon was killed by her ex-husband, 150 people gathered outside the family court in Parramatta, dressed in black to protest ongoing violence against women and the justice system's failure to deal with it.
The protest demanded that the NSW government re-establish the Domestic Violence Advocacy Council, abolished last July, and that the police and family court strengthen enforcement of apprehended violence orders. On April 26, national Stop Domestic Violence Day, the South Sydney Domestic Violence Committee is organising an 11am rally and march, followed by a picnic at Redfern Park.
Palestinian refugee speaks out
SYDNEY -- Olfat Mahmoud, on a speaking tour from the Women's Humanitarian Organisation in the Burj el Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp near Beirut, gave a lunchtime seminar at Sydney University on March 27. The seminar, organised by Sydney University's Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, highlighted the plight of Palestinian refugees outside the occupied territories.
Mahmoud said that Palestinian refugees have been forgotten, both politically and for humanitarian aid, including Australian government aid. Conditions in the refugee camps in Lebanon had worsened dramatically. To support the Women's Humanitarian Organisation, contact Women Refugee Education Network, phone (048) 622 325.
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