The Cascade Volume 5 Issue 2 1997-09-25

Page 1

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Consider this scenario: Quebec holds another referendum on sovereignty. Only this time the federal government decide to take a much "tougher" stance on unity. Peaceful demonstrators march down a street in Montreal carrying banners and chanting pro-sovereignty slogans. The group of 200 hundred people arrive in the foyer of a downtown hotel bellowing "Qui!" Suddenly the demonstrators are locked into the foyer by the RCMP who proceed to fire warning shots and shoot rubber bullets into the crowd. The crowd panics. People try to 'escape the shots by breaking windows and climbing out, but many are sliced by the glass. Some of the "oui" supporters manage to escape; however, 48 are arrested and brought to the RCMP jail for interrogation. Only the nightmare doesn't end there. While in jail, the detainees are refused medical attention and contact with family.

Moreover, over the next few days most of the prisoners are subjected to illtreatment and beatings. In fact, eleven of the prisoners are so badly beaten they are later taken to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment. All this is confirmed by the two members of the Canadian Human Rights Commission who visit the prison. Yet, nothing is done. Seventeen of the demonstrators now face charges under "hate sowing" laws, though all reports prove that the demonstration was a peaceful political statement. No police officers involved in the human rights abuses are investigated or charged. Sound outrageous and unlikely? We would never allow that to happen, you reassure yourself. Well it did happen. No, not in Canada but in East Timor. A country invaded by Indonesia in the midseventies which has seen its population cut in half by military-run genocide.

Half. That's hundreds of thousands of human beings murdered. The scenario I just described really happened; pro-independence East Timorese youths really were shot at, arrested, beaten, and charged for participating in a peaceful demonstration on March 23rd of this year. They really are still waiting in the prison where they were violently assaulted (as confirmed by two members of Indonesia's Human Rights Commission).

est mass murderer alive, Suharto. In fact, they've become our second largest trading partner. Few in Canada have stood up to question the genocide and human rights abuses. Few even know about it, and others say nothing for fear of losing investment opportunity. Upset? Shocked? Want to do something to fight the atrocities? Join Amnesty International in working against human rights abuses like this one. Our next meeting is October 1 (Wed) at 7:30 in Meanwhile, what has room A226. If you can't Canada's response been? make this time, or just Increasing trade ( and want more information, other) relations with Indo- drop by the office during nesia's dictator and great- the week.

Barbie's Farewell Free Condoms Jhe iftoogie What's Goin On? Phluff "n1gn~s


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