Remembering John M. Miller, International Solidarity, and the Struggles Continue!

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With deep respect and sorrow, the people of Timor-Leste received the news of the passing of John M. Miller—co-founder and National Coordinator of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network/U.S. — an activist who, for decades, dedicated his life to human rights, justice, and the self-determination of the Timorese people.

ETAN was founded in 1991, following the Santa Cruz Massacre, amid grave human rights violations that required an urgent response from the international community. Through campaigns, civil society mobilization, and political advocacy in the United States and at the United Nations, ETAN helped to amplify Timor-Leste’s voice to the world and build international solidarity.

John M. Miller was not an activist who wanted fame. His quiet yet impactful work—organizing solidarity networks, sharing reliable information, and connecting people at various levels—contributed to a shift in international awareness and strengthened networks supporting Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste’s independence was the result of a long and complex struggle: FRETILIN leadership, FALINTIL armed resistance, clandestine networks, international diplomacy, global solidarity—including the East Timor Action Network—and geopolitical changes in the region, Indonesia, and the world. International solidarity strengthened the struggle, making Timor-Leste a success story of collective struggle in the world.

At the strategic level, John Miller’s contributions to ETAN involved political advocacy, community-level campaigns, and engagement with political institutions to help influence discussions and decisions within the U.S. government and the international arena. His work demonstrates that international solidarity can be a transformative force when organized with evidence, strategy, discipline, and persistence.

The people of Timor-Leste’s right to self-determination stems from the universal principles of the United Nations, and John Miller, along with other international solidarity activists, helped to turn this principle into political reality on the global stage.

After independence, ETAN continues to support Timor-Leste on issues such as justice, accountability, human rights, and democratic development, including the struggle over the maritime border between Australia and Timor-Leste, which the people of Timor-Leste have been fighting for years — showing that solidarity is not just a temporary gesture, but a long process. John and ETAN continue to advocate for the self-determination of West Papua.

John’s contributions have been recognized by the State of Timor-Leste through a national honor. But his legacy extends beyond the medal to the network of solidarity he helped create, to the people he inspired, and to the global struggle for human rights.

In a world that still faces injustice, the memory of John M. Miller offers a moral compass:

Those who have the freedom to speak out have a responsibility to act, especially when their own government acts against people’s rights.

For the people of Timor-Leste, John is not only a friend but a part of the history of the victorious struggle.

Solidarity does not die. Memory does not fade. We must all continue on the path of justice.

The Struggles Continue.

John M. Miller: Solidariedade Internasionál, Memória no As Lutas Continuam!

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Ho laran todan no respeitu kle’an, povu Timor-Leste simu notísia kona-ba falesimentu maun John M. Miller — ko-fundadór no Koordenadór Nasionál East Timor and Indonesia Action Network/U.S. — ativista ne’ebé durante dékada sira dedika ninian moris ba direitu umanu, justisa no autodeterminasaun povu timoroan.

ETAN hari’i iha 1991, depois Masakre Santa Cruz, iha kontestu violasaun grave kontra direitu umanu ne’ebé presiza resposta urjente husi komunidade internasionál. Liu husi kampaña, mobilizasaun sosiedade sivíl no advokasia polítika iha Estadus Unidus Amerika no iha Nasoins Unidas, ETAN ajuda amplifika Timor-Leste nian lian ba mundu no hametin solidariedade internasionál.

Maun John M. Miller la’ós ativista ne’ebé buka fama. Nia servisu ho kalma maibé iha impaktu boot — organiza rede solidariedade, fahe informasaun kredível no liga ema sira iha nivel diferentes, nune’e kontribui ba mudansa iha konsiénsia internasionál no fortalese rede apoiu ba Timor-Leste.

Independénsia Timor-Leste nudár rezultadu husi luta naruk no kompleksu: lideransa FRETILIN, rezisténsia armada FALINTIL, rede klandestina, diplomasia internasionál, solidariedade global — inklui East Timor Action Network — no mudansa jeopolítika iha rejiaun, Indonézia no mundu. Solidariedade internasionál hametin luta, Timor-Leste ida husi istória susesu luta koletivu iha Mundu.

Iha nível estratéjiku, kontribuisaun John Miller no ETAN envolve advokasia polítika, kampaña iha  nivel komunidade no interasaun ho instituisaun polítika, hodi ajuda influensia diskusaun no desizaun iha governu EUA no arena internasionál. Nia servisu hatudu katak solidariedade internasionál bele sai forsa transformadora bainhira organiza ho evidénsia, estratéjia, disiplina no persisténsia.

Povu Timor-Leste nian diretu ba autodeterminasaun nudár parte husi prinsípiu universál iha Nasoins Unidas, no John Miller ho ativista solidariedade Internasional sira seluk ajuda lori prinsipiu ne’e sai realidade polítika iha arena global.

Depois independénsia, ETAN kontinua akompaña Timor-Leste iha asuntu hanesan justisa, responsabilizasaun, direitu umanu no dezenvolvimentu demokrátiku inklui luta ba Fronteira Maritima entre Austrália no Timor-Leste ne’ebé povu Timor-Leste manán tinan ona — hatudu katak solidariedade la’ós momentu ida, maibé prosesu naruk. John no ETAN kontinua atu halo advokasia ba autodeterminasaun ba Papua Oeste.

Maun John ninian kontribuisaun hetan rekoñesimentu husi estadu Timor-Leste liu husi onra nasionál. Maibé ninian legadu liu husi medalla hela iha rede solidariedade ne’ebé nia ajuda kria, iha ema sira ne’ebé nia inspira, no iha luta global ba direitu umanu.

Iha mundu ne’ebé sei enfrenta injustisa, memória maun John M. Miller sai orientasaun moral ida:

Ema sira ne’ebé iha liberdade atu ko’alia, iha responsabilidade atu halo asaun, liuliu bainhira nia governu apoiu asaun kontra povu nia direitu.

Ba povu Timor-Leste, Maun John la’ós de’it belun maibé parte husi istória luta ne’ebé la lakon.

Solidariedade la mate. Memória la lakon. Ita hotu tenke kontinua la’o iha dalan justisa.

As Lutas Continuam.

LH apresia intensaun Governu atu kansela projetu Pelican Paradise

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La’o Hamutuk hato’o apresiasaun ba anúnsiu Governu Timor-Leste atu kansela projetu Pelican Paradise. Desizaun ida ne’e mosu iha kontestu ne’ebé projetu durante tinan barak la hatudu progresu ne’ebé proporsional ho eskala no promesa inisiál, iha tempu hanesan envolve preokupasaun kona-ba sustentabilidade, korrupsaun, violasaun komunidade nian direitu, transparénsia no risku fiskál.

La’o Hamutuk konsidera desizaun ida ne’e importante atu proteje interese Timor-Leste iha tempu naruk, mantén integridade institusionál no reforsa responsabilidade iha jestaun investimentu estranjeiru. Ami enkoraja Governu atu kontinua reforsa prevensaun rigorozu hodi proteje Timor-Leste husi risku estruturál relevante.

Hafoin projetu ida ne’e hahú iha tinan 2009, iha sinál barak ne’ebé hatudu problema sira, maibé proponente no Governu ignora. Iha Setembru 2009, projetu-na’in Edward Ong husi Singapura koko na’ok liu dolar biliaun ida husi Fundu Petrolíferu, uza kompañia ho naran “Asian Champ Investment”. Fulan neen tan, traballadór sira deskobre mate isin na’in sia (karik vítima husi Indonézia-nia okupasaun) iha fatin projetu. Maske nune’e, Ong iha planu atu loke kampu joga golf iha 2012. Iha 2014, autoridade ambientál informa LH katak Pelican Paradise kansela ona, maske sira hetan ona lisensa ambientál. Timor-Leste tenke aprende husi esperiénsia ida ne’e, no labele fiar investidór ka projetu sira ne’ebé iha indikadór ba mal-fé.

Projetu Pelican Paradise hahú dala ida tan iha tinan 2018, bainhira Governu aprova proposta Special Investment Agreement (SIA) ho valór maizumenus tokon $310. Iha tinan 2019, projetu ne’e aumenta ba maizumenus tokon $700 iha área Tasi-Tolu no Tibar ho ektare 558, ho objetivu atu dezenvolve kompleksu turístiku ho hotel fitun lima, kampu joga golf no infraestrutura seluk. Iha 2021, liu husi Rezolusaun Governu nian n.º 133/2021, Estadu Timor-Leste aprova projetu Pelican Paradise no proposta SIA, ne’ebé hatudu kontinuidade no responsabilidade institusionál iha relasaun ho investidór. Maibé durante tinan sira tuir mai, implementasaun projetu la hatudu progresu signifikante; sira kontinua mak halo renovasaun ba lisensa ambientál de’it. Relatóriu Auditoria 1/2024 husi Tribunal Rekursu identifika problema sira bainhira Estadu fó lisensa ba Pelican Paradise atu la selu ba aluga rai.

Iha tinan ikus 2023 sira investe ba setór edukasaun liu husi lansa eskola internasionál ida iha Dili, ho naran Pelican Grammar School ne’ebé hahú anó eskola iha Janeiru 2024. Iha 2025, empreza husu Estadu atu halo depózitu maizumenus tokon $180, ikus mai, iha 23 Marsu 2026 Governu anunsia intensaun atu kansela, enkuantu empreza kontestu no refere katak parte balun husi obrigasaun kontratual seidauk kumpre.

Esperiénsia Timor-Leste hatudu padraun repete repete iha kazu promesa ba investimentu balun ne’ebé levanta preokupasaun kona-ba boa-fé (onestidade), korrupsaun, viabilidade, transparénsia no kredibilidade. Ida ne’e, hatudu nesesidade atu reforsa sistema jestaun investimentu husi li’ur. Problema estruturál sira inklui due diligence la sufisiente, promesa boot maibé implementasaun limitadu, falta transparénsia kontratual no koordenasaun institusionál ne’ebé la efetivu.

Investimentu estranjeiru importante, maibé tenke asegura katak Timor-Leste kontinua iha sistema ne’ebé estavel, klaridade no responsabilidade. Projetu ne’ebé la klaru ka la sustentavel bele afeta konfiansa investidór ne’ebé sériu no aumenta risku disputa legál internasionál.

La’o Hamutuk rekomenda atu Timor-Leste kontinua reforsa jestaun públika investimentu liu husi verifikasaun rigorozu, prova kapasidade finanseiru independente no transparénsia kontratual. Estratéjia ida ne’e sei ajuda proteje rekursus públiku, hamenus risku no aumenta konfiansa ba investimentu sustentavel.

La’o Hamutuk sei kontinua apoia esforsu atu promove transparénsia, responsabilidade no prátika di’ak internasionál hodi asegura katak investimentu estranjeiru kontribui duni ba dezenvolvimentu sustentavel no benefísiu ba povu Timor-Leste.

LH appreciates Government’s intention to cancel the Pelican Paradise project

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La’o Hamutuk appreciates the announcement by the Government of Timor-Leste to cancel the Pelican Paradise project. This decision comes in a context where the project has not progressed proportional to its initial scale and promise, while at the same time raising concerns about sustainability, corruption, violations of community rights, transparency and financial risk.

La'o Hamutuk considers this decision important to protect Timor-Leste's long-term interests, maintain institutional integrity and strengthen accountability in managing foreign investment. We encourage the Government to continue to strengthen rigorous prevention to protect Timor-Leste’s people and interests.

Since this project started in 2009, there were many problematic signs, but the proponent and the Government ignored them. In September 2009, the owner of the project, Singaporean Edward Ong, tried to scam more than a billion dollars from Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund, through a company called “Asian Champ Investment”. Six months later, workers discovered nine corpses (probably victims from Indonesia's occupation) at the project site. However, Ong planned to open a golf course by 2012. In 2014, the environmental authority informed La’o Hamutuk that the project was cancelled, although it already had received an environmental license. Timor-Leste should learn from this experience, and not trust investors or projects with indicators of bad faith.

Pelican Paradise restarted in 2018, when the Government approved a Special Investment Agreement (SIA) proposal of approximately $310 million. In 2019, the project increased to approximately $700 million in the areas of Tasi-Tolu and Tibar with an area of 558 hectares, with the aim of developing a tourist complex with a five star hotel, golf course and other infrastructure. In 2021, through Government Resolution 133/2021, the State of Timor-Leste approved the project and the SIA, showing continuing institutional responsibility to the investor. However, during the following years, project implementation did not show significant progress; they only continued to renew its environmental license. Audit Report 1/2024 by Timor-Leste’s Chamber of Accounts identified problems with rent exemptions granted to Pelican Paradise. 

Pelican Paradise invested in education by launching an international school in Dili, known as Pelican Grammar School, which opened in January 2024. In 2025, the company asked the State to deposit about $180 million. Finally, on 23 March 2026 the Government announced its intention to cancel the project, although the company rejects this, referring to parts of the contractual obligation not being fulfilled.

Timor-Leste's experience shows a recurrent pattern of promised investments that raise concerns about good faith, corruption, feasibility, transparency and credibility. This shows the need to strengthen the external investment management system. Structural problems include inadequate “due diligence,” great promises but limited implementation, lack of contract transparency, and ineffective institutional coordination.

Foreign investment is important, but we need to be certain that Timor-Leste continues to have a stable system, clarity and accountability. Unclear or unsustainable projects can affect the confidence of serious investors and increase the risk of international legal disputes.

La'o Hamutuk recommends that Timor-Leste continue to strengthen public investment management through strict verification, proof of independent financial capacity and contractual transparency. This strategy will help protect public resources, reduce risks and increase confidence in sustainable investments.

La'o Hamutuk will continue to support efforts to promote international transparency, accountability and good practice to ensure that foreign investment is contributing to sustainable development and benefits for the people of Timor-Leste.

Agresaun kriminál husi Estadus Unidus Amerika no Izraél kontra Iraun: Apelu De-eskalasaun, Respeitu ba Lei Internasionál no Preservasaun Estabilidade Global

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La’o Hamutuk manifesta preokupasaun profunda kona-ba intensifikasaun konflitu militár iha Médiu Oriente ne’ebé envolve Izraél, Estadus Unidus no Iraun. Evolusaun ida ne’e, tuir informasaun publika disponivel no análize normativu tuir lei internasionál, hamosu agravamentu situasaun seguransa rejionál no global, no impaktu umanitáriu no ekonómiku ne’ebé sériu. EUA nian atake ba Iraun nudár krime, violasaun kontra lei internasionál, viola karta ONU no kontra rasik Konstituisaun EUA.

Konflitu ida ne’e dala ida tan reprezenta violasaun ba orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba regra sira no ba integridade sistema seguransa koletivu tuir Karta Nasoins Unidas. Lei internasionál tenke aplika ho koerénsia, imparsialidade no konsisténsia ba parte hotu, independentemente husi aliansa polítika ka interese estratéjiku.

Timor-Leste, hanesan nasaun ne’ebé hetan benefísiu husi lei no solidariedade internasionál no sistema multilaterál iha ninian prosesu manán soberania no konstrui estadu, iha responsabilidade moral no istórika atu defende orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba lei, soberania iguál no rezolusaun pasífiku konflitu sira.

Obrigatoriedade Lei Internasionál no Limitasaun Uza Forsa

Tuir Artigu 2(4) Karta Nasoins Unidas, estadu sira iha obrigasaun atu la uza ameasa ka uza forsa kontra integridade territorial ka independénsia polítika Estadu rai seluk. Prinsípiu ida ne’e mak pilar fundamental ba estabilidade no seguransa internasionál.

Artigu 51 Karta Nasoins Unidas rekoñese direitu naturál autodefeza individual ka koletiva bainhira atake armadu akontese. Maibé, ezersísiu direitu ne’e tenke respeita estritamente prinsípiu nesesidade no proporsionalidade, no presiza iha fundamentasaun objetiva, prova sufisiente no transparénsia.

Artigu 8bis Estatutu Roma define krime Agresaun “the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations."

Interpretasaun ne’ebé ultrapasa limite jurídiku ne’ebé iha lei internasionál bele halo fraku sistema seguransa koletivu no hamosu presedente perigozu ba lejítimasaun uza forsa unilaterál.

Direitu Internasionál Umanitáriu no Protesaun Sivíl

Hanesan konsekuénsia atake ida ne’e, liu ema na’in 500 iha Iraun lakon ona sira nia moris, no ema balu iha Izraél, forsa militár EUA nian, no rai seluk iha rejiaun. Chega!

Parte hotu iha obrigasaun atu respeita Direitu Internasionál Umanitáriu, inklui:

• Distinsaun estrita entre alvu militár no populasaun sivíl no objetu sivíl;
  
  
• Respeitu rigorozu ba prinsípiu proporsionalidade;
  
  
• Adosaun medida preventiva ne’ebé efetiva hodi hamenus risku ba populasaun sivíl no infraestrutura esensiál.

Protesaun sivíl sira nudár obrigasaun ba seguransa no dignidade umana tenke tau iha sentru konsiderasaun polítika no militár. Violasaun norma sira ne’e bele hamosu irresponsabilidade internasionál no halo kredibilidade orden global.

Multilateralizmu no Responsabilidade Koletiva

Sistema Nasoins Unidas iha papél sentrál atu prevene agravamentu konflitu no promove solusaun diplomátiku. Fortalesimentu diplomasia multilaterál no respeitu ba Karta Nasoins Unidas mak fundamentu ba seguransa globál.

Enfrakezimentu sistema multilaterál bele hamosu inseguransa jurídika internasionál no aumenta risku konfrontasaun sistémiku entre poténsia sira. Nasaun ki’ik hanesan Timor-Leste depende maka’as liu ba orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba regra no ba protesaun soberania iguál.

La’o Hamutuk Rekomenda ba;

1. Parte hotu liu-liu EUA no Izraél atu imediatamente hapara operasaun militár no hamenus tensaun;
   
   
2. Atu retornu diálogu diplomátiku ho boa fé no mediadu husi mekanizmu multilaterál;
   
   
3. Atu respeita integralmente Karta Nasoins Unidas, Estatutu Roma no Direitu Internasionál Umanitáriu;
   
   
4. Ba Governu Timor-Leste atu reafirma ninian pozisaun prinsipál pro-pás no pro-lei internasionál, no prepara medida preventiva hodi proteje populasaun husi impaktu ekonómiku global.

Paz no seguransa global la bele konstrui liu husi intensifikasaun militár. Forsa la bele substitui lei. Orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba regra sira mak garantia fundamental ba estabilidade global no protesaun ba nasaun ki’ik.

La’o Hamutuk reafirma katak diplomasia, diálogu no justisa mak fundamentu ba solusaun sustentavel no preservasaun dignidade umana.

Criminal aggression by the USA and Israel against Iran: Call for De-escalation, Respect for International Law and Preservation of Global Stability

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La’o Hamutuk expresses our deep concern about the intensification of military conflict in the Middle East involving Israel, the United States and Iran. This evolution, according to available public information and analysis under international law, has exacerbated the regional and global security situation, and had serious humanitarian and economic impacts. The U.S. attack on Iran is a crime, a violation of international law, a violation of the UN charter and against the United States’ own Constitution.

This conflict once again represents a violation of the rules-based international order and the integrity of the collective security system under the United Nations Charter. International law must be applied with coherence, impartiality and consistency to all parties, regardless of political alliances or strategic interests.

Timor-Leste, as a country that benefited from international law and solidarity and the multilateral system in its process of gaining sovereignty and building a state, has a moral and historical responsibility to defend the international order based on law, equal sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

International Legal Obligations and Limitations on the Use of Force

According to Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, states have an obligation not to threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other states. This principle is a fundamental pillar of international stability and security.

Article 51 of the United Nations Charter recognizes the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense in the event of an armed attack. However, the exercise of this right must strictly respect the principles of necessity and proportionality, and requires objective justification, sufficient evidence and transparency.

Article 8bis of the Rome Statute defines the crime of Aggression as “the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations."

Actions that violate boundaries set in international law weaken the collective security system and create a dangerous precedent for legitimizing the use of unilateral force.

International Humanitarian Law and Civil Protection

As a result of this attack, more than 500 people in Iran have lost their lives, as well as other people in Israel, U.S. military forces, and elsewhere in the region. Enough!

All parties have an obligation to respect International Humanitarian Law, including:

• Strict distinction between military targets and civilian populations and objects;

• Strict respect for the principle of proportionality;

• Adoption of effective preventive measures to reduce risks of harming the civilian population and essential infrastructure.

Civilian protection as an obligation to security and human dignity must be placed at the center of political and military considerations. Violations of these norms can lead to international irresponsibility and undermine the credibility of the global order.

Multilateralism and Collective Responsibility

The United Nations system is key to preventing conflict escalation and promoting diplomatic solutions. Strengthening multilateral diplomacy and respect for the United Nations Charter are the foundations of global security.

Weakening the multilateral system leads to international legal uncertainty and increases the risk of systemic confrontation between powers. A small country like Timor-Leste is more reliant on the rules-based international order and the protection of equal sovereignty.

La’o Hamutuk recommends:

1.  All parties, especially the U.S. and Israel, to immediately cease military operations and reduce tensions;
   
   
2. To return to good faith diplomatic dialogue, mediated by multilateral mechanisms;
   
   
3. To fully respect the United Nations Charter, the Rome Statute and international humanitarian law;
   
   
4.  For the Government of Timor-Leste to reaffirm its principal pro-peace and pro-international law positions, and prepare preventive measures to protect the population from global economic impacts.

Global peace and security cannot be built through military intensification. Force must not replace law. A rules-based international order is a fundamental guarantee of global stability and the protection of small nations.

La’o Hamutuk reaffirms that diplomacy, dialogue and justice are the foundation for sustainable solutions and the preservation of human dignity.