EAST TIMOR'S RECEPTION, TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

Early day motion 1166, tabled 30 November 2005 by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 66 members.

That this House notes the release to the East Timorese Parliament of the long-awaited report of East Timor's Reception, Truth and Reconciliation Commission; expresses its disappointment that President Xanana Gusmao has recommended that the document should not be made public; notes the comments of the Commission's Chairman that the majority of East Timorese people who spoke to the Commission want to see the perpetrators of atrocities that were committed during Indonesia's invasion and 30-year occupation of East Timor brought to justice; concludes that the failure to release publicly the report is contrary to this desire for justice, not only of the East Timorese people, but also of the families of the British journalists, Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters, who were allegedly murdered by Indonesian forces for filming illegal Indonesian military involvement in the area in October 1975; and calls on the Foreign Secretary to make representations to the East Timorese authorities to release publicly the report and to pursue justice.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 21, Conservative 4, Scottish National Party 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.