EAST TIMOR: Political activists could be deported

May 7, 2003
Issue 

BY OSCAR JUKES

DARWIN — East Timor's parliament is discussing a new law that would allow the interior ministry to deport any foreigner who engages in political activity or even attends a political meeting or demonstration.

The proposed law was approved by East Timor's Council of Ministers on February 5, and is currently being discussed in the Legislative Assembly, which has already approved its first three sections.

In chapter 2, section E of article 11 states: "It is forbidden for the foreigner to engage in activities of a political nature or involve, directly or indirectly in affairs of the state."

Charles Scheiner, a US citizen and long-time Timor solidarity activist who has been living and working in Dili since 2001, states in a letter to East Timor's government and parliament: "I write as a disillusioned friend, who is dismayed by what this legislation indicates about the future of East Timor. If foreigners are not allowed to peacefully express their views on civic issues, whose rights will be next to go? Is the freedom that so many East Timorese sacrificed so much for, over so many years to be discarded so readily?

"If we come because we believe in your nation and your people and we come because we think our support for East Timor's unfinished struggle for self determination is still valuable and appreciated, because we believe all people should enjoy human rights, justice and peace, are we not welcome?'

Scheiner also touched on the recent Timor oil issue arguing that "if we tell Australia to respect East Timor's sovereignty and stop stealing East Timor's natural resources, are we not welcome?"

These concerns are shared by others. "As international solidarity activists, we must be concerned about the proposed laws, given that international solidarity has been crucial in the history of East Timor's struggle for independence", said Ralf Scharmann, a spokesperson for the Darwin-based ASIET (Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor).

"Consecutive Australian governments have cheated the East Timorese people on the issue of maritime boundaries, oil and gas resources over and again", said Scharmann, concerned that the proposed immigration law is aimed at stopping protests against the Australian government by Australians in East Timor. "It is only right and necessary for Australians to oppose this behaviour. The proposed laws in East Timor will be counter-productive to the interests of the East Timorese people."

[Oscar Jukes is a member of ASIET and can be contacted on <darwin@asiet.org.au>.]

From Green Left Weekly, May 7, 2003.
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