East Timor and Indonesia Action Network Records
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Abstract
The East Timor Action Network (ETAN) was founded in November 1991 to support self-determination and human rights for the people of East Timor (Timor-Leste). While the national headquarters are in New York City, there are also some two dozen chapters around the United States. After East Timor achieved independence from Indonesia in 2002, ETAN changed (in 2005) its name (but not its acronym) to East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, to better reflect its goals of supporting human rights, justice, and democracy in both East Timor and Indonesia. The records contain clippings, U.S. Congressional documents, correspondence, financial records, press releases, subject files, and audiovisual materials, most relating to the operations of the national organization.
Historical/Biographical Note
The East Timor Action Network (ETAN) was founded in November 1991 to support self-determination and human rights for the people of East Timor (Timor-Leste) in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on East Timor. While its national headquarters are in New York City, there are also some two dozen chapters around the United States. ETAN's primary focus has been to change US foreign policy and raise public awareness to support justice and self-determination and now genuine independence for East Timor (which became an independent country in 2002), and human rights in Indonesia. In 2005 ETAN changed its name to the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (although it retained the same acronym, ETAN) to better reflect its goals of supporting rights, justice, and democracy in both East Timor and Indonesia. ETAN works for justice for historic and ongoing crimes against humanity, war crimes, and human rights violations in East Timor and Indonesia.
Colonized by Portugal in the sixteenth century, East Timor was known as Portuguese Timor until November, 1975, when East Timor declared its independence from Portugal. Nine days later, it was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces before the declaration could be internationally recognised. Indonesia alleged that the popular East Timorese FRETILIN party was communist. The United States supported the Indonesian government's actions. The East Timorese guerrilla force, Falintil, fought a campaign against the Indonesian forces from 1975 to 1999. Amnesty International estimated that during Indonesia's occupation, some 200,000 "excess deaths," mainly from hunger and illness. Following the UN-sponsored act of self-determination that year, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and East Timor became the first new country of the twenty-first century in 2002. Alongside the Philippines, East Timor is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia, and the only Portuguese-speaking sovereign state in Asia.
Sources:
For more information see the ETAN website (http://etan.org/etan/default.htm).
Arrangement
Files are in original order; the collection is unprocessed, but content summaries exist for boxes 1-13.
Organized into six series
Missing Title
- I. Congressional Material
- II. Financial and Administrative
- III. Subject Files
- IV. Press Releases
- V. Clippings
- VI. Miscellaneous (Related Organizations, Articles, Audiocassettes and DVDs)
Scope and Content Note
The records contain clippings, correspondence, financial and administrative records, press releases, subject files, U.S. Congressional materials, and audiovisual materials, principally documenting the activity of the national organization. For more detailed information, see the descriptions in the container list, below. NOTE: This collection is housed offsite and advance notice is required for use.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by East Trimor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) were transferred to New York University in 2007 by John M. Miller. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date; Collection name; Collection number; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials donated by John M. Miller, National Coordinator for the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), in 2007. The accession number associated with this gift is 2007.011.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
