Church agencies concerned at growing violence in East Timor
-25/05/06
Church aid and de
Church agencies concerned at growing violence in East Timor
-25/05/06
Church aid and development agencies are expressing grave concern over escalating violence in East Timor, reports Independent Catholic News. Australia is planning to send up to 1,300 troops to the area to help restore order.
Unrest in East Timor has followed a decision in March 2006 to sack almost 600 soldiers for going on strike over working conditions and claims they were overlooked for promotion.
In recent days the dismissed soldiers, who make up around a third of East Timor’s army, have launched fresh attacks on the outskirts of the capital, Dili, and two people were killed during violent clashes on Tuesday. Thousands of people have fled Dili fearing further violence.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said today that 150 commandos would arrive on Thursday to help secure the airport. Portugal is also involved in the operation.
The Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD) programme manager for South East Asia, Alexandra Cooney, says: “I was living in East Timor until March of this year. The soldiers were sacked just before I left and tensions were certainly high at the time, but I’m shocked and deeply saddened by how far the situation has deteriorated.î
He continues: “We have heard from our partner organisations in East Timor, such as Caritas Dili and NGO Forum, that thousands of people have fled the capital because of the riots. Many are now either staying with family elsewhere in the country or in temporary camps set up on the outskirts of the city. Heavy rain falls have added to problems – one camp was flooded following a torrential downpour last week.î
“People are extremely traumatised by what they are seeing and very concerned for their own safetyî, says Cooney.
He adds: “We have also heard from our sister agency, Catholic Relief Services, that the US embassy has begun pulling out American staff because of the heightened security threat and others are on standby for evacuation should the situation get any worse.”
Cooney declared that the deteriorating security situation made it very difficult for CAFOD’s partners to continue their good work.
East Timor is due to hold elections early next year. “Even before this latest bout of violence, there was serious concern among international agencies and the UN about increased tension in the run up to the elections”, explained the CAFOD officer.
He concluded: “These will be the second elections East Timor has held since gaining independence in 1999 and they are crucial in the consolidation of democracy here. The current situation is therefore of grave concern. We hope that it can be resolved soon so the East Timorese can look forward to elections that are free from violence.”
[Also on Ekklesia: Muslims offer to guard Christian churches in Indonesia; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls;Indonesian president in call for religious toleranceIndonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Indonesian Christians in fear after attacks and beheadings; Catholic agency arranging aid to eathquake zone; Church agency condemns Indonesian human rights decision]
Church agencies concerned at growing violence in East Timor
-25/05/06
Church aid and development agencies are expressing grave concern over escalating violence in East Timor, reports Independent Catholic News. Australia is planning to send up to 1,300 troops to the area to help restore order.
Unrest in East Timor has followed a decision in March 2006 to sack almost 600 soldiers for going on strike over working conditions and claims they were overlooked for promotion.
In recent days the dismissed soldiers, who make up around a third of East Timor’s army, have launched fresh attacks on the outskirts of the capital, Dili, and two people were killed during violent clashes on Tuesday. Thousands of people have fled Dili fearing further violence.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said today that 150 commandos would arrive on Thursday to help secure the airport. Portugal is also involved in the operation.
The Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD) programme manager for South East Asia, Alexandra Cooney, says: “I was living in East Timor until March of this year. The soldiers were sacked just before I left and tensions were certainly high at the time, but I’m shocked and deeply saddened by how far the situation has deteriorated.î
He continues: “We have heard from our partner organisations in East Timor, such as Caritas Dili and NGO Forum, that thousands of people have fled the capital because of the riots. Many are now either staying with family elsewhere in the country or in temporary camps set up on the outskirts of the city. Heavy rain falls have added to problems – one camp was flooded following a torrential downpour last week.î
“People are extremely traumatised by what they are seeing and very concerned for their own safetyî, says Cooney.
He adds: “We have also heard from our sister agency, Catholic Relief Services, that the US embassy has begun pulling out American staff because of the heightened security threat and others are on standby for evacuation should the situation get any worse.”
Cooney declared that the deteriorating security situation made it very difficult for CAFOD’s partners to continue their good work.
East Timor is due to hold elections early next year. “Even before this latest bout of violence, there was serious concern among international agencies and the UN about increased tension in the run up to the elections”, explained the CAFOD officer.
He concluded: “These will be the second elections East Timor has held since gaining independence in 1999 and they are crucial in the consolidation of democracy here. The current situation is therefore of grave concern. We hope that it can be resolved soon so the East Timorese can look forward to elections that are free from violence.”
[Also on Ekklesia: Muslims offer to guard Christian churches in Indonesia; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls;Indonesian president in call for religious toleranceIndonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Indonesian Christians in fear after attacks and beheadings; Catholic agency arranging aid to eathquake zone; Church agency condemns Indonesian human rights decision]