Newsbriefs

Vale Andrew McNaughtan

Dr Andrew McNaughtan, who has died in Sydney, was an outstanding human rights activist who devoted himself to changing the situation in East Timor throughout the 1990s and to improve the lives of ordinary East Timorese living under the Indonesians. Many years before it was politically acceptable in mainstream Australia to be involved with the East Timorese issue, Andrew worked with the Timorese Community in Australia and visited East Timor to try to focus attention on the issue. He was deported several times by the Indonesian authorities.

In a nation such as Australia, where most heroes are sporting legends or servants of the state, Andrew exemplified the qualities of self-sacrifice, integrity and courage to which we should aspire. He fought selflessly for what he believed to be right; he knew a great wrong was taking place and he couldn’t just sit back and let it happen.

John Martinkus,
The Age, 2 January 2004

You have left us and we mourn with deep sorrow. The East Timorese mourn, for in losing you they have lost their best friend. A friend whose relentless exposure of their persecution under the depraved tyranny of Suharto’s army reached the whole world. You were unstoppable in your passionate international campaign for justice and full rights over the Timor Oil Fields on behalf of the beleaguered tiny nation of East Timor. Your articles and lectures were erudite, dynamic and accurate. Thank you for sharing your life’s work and knowledge with us with grace and generosity. You were an exceptional truth teller, who made a resounding difference — a difference history will remember. You are irreplaceable.

Rozamunda Waring
Australia East Timor Association

The world needs more Andrew McNaughtans who bring immense energy and intellect to complex problems. Andrew was a rare and unique asset for the people of Timor Leste and will be missed by all who care for Timor Leste. Andrew has left an endurable gift to Timor Leste through his personal efforts. We would all benefit by emulating his humility, integrity, and energy. With profound sadness and respect.

John Imle,
former President Unocal

I came face to face with Andrew when I was taken to the immigration office in a police van, along with Bishop Deakin and some Filipino colleagues. When we clambered out of the van, there was Andrew, standing in the lobby of the immigration office, pacing up and down anxiously. Shortly after this we were all bundled into a lift. At this point, I noticed that Andrew had a mobile phone with him.

By then, Andrew had already contacted a radio station in Australia. His long experience as an activist had made him keenly aware of the need to alert the media in times of trouble. This radio station was, at that point, the only media outlet that knew about the way in which the Malaysian authorities were treating the delegates at a conference on ‘Peace in East Timor’.

Estevao Cabral
University of Wales

Vale Ersa Srinegar

Controversy is rife over the death of Sory Ersa Siregar from RCTI television station, with both the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) giving different versions of the circumstances under which the journalist lost his life.

On Thursday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu agreed to demands from RCTI and various groups for an independent investigation, but warned that the team should have the ‘goodwill’ to provide the public with the truth, instead of ‘looking for a chance to discredit the TNI’.

Tiarma Siboro and Suherdjoko,
The Jakarta Post

One thing many colleagues surely can learn, indeed have learned, from Ersa is how journalists should deal with the Indonesian security apparatus. He always appeared and showed self-confidence and approached members of the Army or police with smile and acted decently. I never met journalists greeting security personnel by personally shaking hands one by one. But Ersa did it consistently to all, from privates to the commander. He certainly also took a correct and careful attitude toward other people, the villagers.

Aboeprijadi Santoso,
Amsterdam

Vale Mark Worth

Mark Worth passed away on Thursday in Jayapura, West Papua. He was with his wife Helen and daughter Inzoraki at the time. He had been ill for a little while...

However, his “Land of the Morning Star” doco on West Papua was screened on February 2nd on the ABC. This film is in many regards his greatest work and the culmination of his life pursuit. It is a passionate and intelligent appraisal of why West Papua is an issue of the highest importance. It’s such a shame Worthy won’t be around to hear the plaudits which will no doubt be pured upon him. It is a remarkable film.

David Bridie,
www.davidbridie.com.au

Invariably, the first thing Worth would say when introduced was, “I was born
in New Guinea.” In many ways it defined him and he wore it as a badge. He
was spiritually caught between black and white worlds and his art came out
of this tension, which he was never quite able to reconcile.

Ben Bohane, Sydney Morning Herald

3 February 2004

Yap Thiem Hien Award

Journalist Maria Margaretha Hartiningsih of the Kompas daily has become the first journalist to win the annual Yap Thiam Hien human rights award, the jury of the award announced here on Friday.

The head of the committee of jurors, Soetandyo Wignjosoebroto, said she was awarded for being a ‘human rights educator’ through her articles, which are ‘consistent in the effort to uphold and educate on human rights’.

The jury’s press release noted that Maria’s sensitivity toward those suffering could be recognized in her writing; ‘not only those suffering as victims of a patriarchal system but also as victims of a repressive and greedy regime’. Her articles ‘always intend to change unjust values or rules’, it added.

The Jakarta Post,
10 December 2003