TIMOR HAU NIAN DOBEN: “Mauk Moruk is a political prisoner in Timor-Leste”

quinta-feira, 24 de julho de 2014

“Mauk Moruk is a political prisoner in Timor-Leste” – Open letter to Cavaco Silva

July 2014

His Excellency, President of the Portuguese Republic

Professor Anibal Antonio Cavaco Silva

Palacio de Belem

Lisbon, Portugal

Dear Mr President,

I am writing to inform you and the leaders of the Community of Portuguese language (CPLP) countries that, under the leadership of President Mr Jose Maria Vasconcelos and Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, Timor-Leste have progressed greatly. Nevertheless, Timor-Leste faces numerous urgent problems that require special attention from all parties-especially CPLP countries and United Nations commission on human rights-who have a political and moral interest in this new country’s future.

In this letter I focus on an important issue of justice. Mr Paulino Gama (also known as Mauk Moruk) a former FALINTIL commander is political prisoner in Timor-Leste. His only crime is that he disagrees with the policies of Timor-Leste’s current political leaders. While Timor-Leste’s leaders must use all possible means to guarantee stability and security for the people, the means they are using to suppress political dissent violates human rights in general and the Timorese constitution in particular cannot be supported.

Mr Paulino Gama is a long-time political opponent of Prime Minister Gusmao, but his commitment to the nation and people of Timor-Leste cannot be doubted. As a former FALINTIL commander, Mr Gama experienced terrible tragedy in the period of struggle for the Timor-Leste’s independence. Many members of his family were killed, including his wife; she was murdered, and her head was brought to Venilale, Baucau and Laga as a warning to Timorese independence fighters. Mr Gama and Timor-Leste’s current leaders disagree about the country’s political direction: For example, Mr Gama has called for the reestablishment of the 1975 constitution. No matter, how deep their differences, the best way to the end their dispute is through reconciliation and dialogue.

When Mr Xanana Gusmao became the first President of the newly independent Timor-Leste in 2002, I asked him to initiate dialogue with Mr Paulino Gama and his supports to resolve their problems. Also, on 23^rd. of May this year, I wrote to President Vasconselos to ask him to bring Prime Minister Gusmao and Mr Gama together for the proposes of reconciliation, and Mr Gama himself had asked to the Church to facilitate a dialogue with Mr Gusmao, but none of those proposals has been implemented.

His Excellency, President of the Republic of Portugal, Mr Cavaco Silva, I request that you, other heads of state of CPLP member countries and International Human Right Commission pressure the state of Timor-Leste to release Mr Paulino Gama immediately. If Mr Paulino Gama is not released, then I strongly suggest that members of the CPLP have political and moral responsibilities to boycott the CPLP conference (scheduled to be held in Timor-Leste on 17^th.2014).

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Antonio Ximenes
Former deputy of the Constituent Assembly of the Timor-Leste

24 Salisbury Crescent, Fitzroy North, Victoria 3068 AUSTRALIA

Mobil: +61410082125/0422011165

E-mail:axis35alt@yahoo.com

Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste

Cc:

1. His Ex. President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Mr Jose Maria Vasconcelos;

2. His Ex. President of the Parliament of Timor-Leste, Mr Vicente Guterres with all MPs;

3. His Ex. Prime Mister of the Timor-Leste, Mr Xanan Gusmao;

4. His Ex. President of the Tribunal of Timor-Leste, Mr Guilherme da Silva;