Calls for Justice as East Timor Marks 20th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Massacre

Calls for Justice as East Timor Marks 20th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Massacre

By SONJA DECHIAN | Published: NOVEMBER 14, 2011

The Jakarta Post reports Amnesty International has urged the Indonesian and East Timorese governments to bring justice to the victims of the Santa Cruz massacre which took place in East Timor 20 years ago this week.

On November 12, 1991, Indonesian troops fired on a peaceful procession in a cemetery in Dili, killing at least 200 people.

The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor was set up in 2001 and has since reported that despite evidence of the involvement of 72 military officers in the massacre, only 10 have been tried by military courts.

The massacre became symbolic of the East Timorese fight for independence, particularly because it was documented by foreign observers. Timor Archives has an excellent list of documentary material relating to the massacre, much of it available online.

Democracy Now is featuring this report from American journalist Amy Goodman, detailing her experiences and observations of the massacre.