Truth & reconciliation in Southeast Asia & the Melanesian Pacific: a project summary

December 13, 2017

Can historians be peacemakers? Recent experiences with truth and reconciliation processes in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific suggest that they can be. There is a role for historical research and memory in helping to build sustainable peace and stability in new nations. On the other hand, ignoring violent pasts undermines peacebuilding efforts. In the… More Truth & reconciliation in Southeast Asia & the Melanesian Pacific: a project summary

Prabowo in East Timor (image: Wikipedia)

Who is Prabowo Subianto?

June 19, 2024

Who is Prabowo Subianto? Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo, known as Prabowo, was confirmed as president-elect of Indonesia on 20 March 2024. A social media sensation, Prabowo is also implicated in human rights violations in Indonesia and Timor-Leste and has taken a relatively pro-Russia line on the conflict in Ukraine. In some ways he follows the template… More Who is Prabowo Subianto?

Truth commissions building states: Lessons from Africa

February 7, 2024

In 2023, McGill-Queen’s University Press released a major contribution to the study of truth and reconciliation. Truth Commissions and State Building discusses the role of truth commissions in constructing stable, democratic countries in often fragile contexts. Below is the text of a talk at the book launch, held at McMaster University, by David Webster.  Truth… More Truth commissions building states: Lessons from Africa

Is Prabowo Subianto qualified to be Indonesia’s next president?

January 19, 2024

By Pat Walsh Originally published on Eureka Street 2024 is looming like a democratic nightmare for two of Australia’s most important allies. The US may elect Donald Trump. On 14 February 2024, Indonesia may elect Prabowo Subianto. The prospect of Suharto’s right-wing ex son-in-law and military heavy taking over our huge neighbour should send shivers… More Is Prabowo Subianto qualified to be Indonesia’s next president?

A 1999 story: How Timor-Leste’s resistance gained Canada’s support, and why that matters

July 13, 2023

Timor-Leste’s independence came during a “window of opportunity” after the fall of the longtime Indonesian dictator Suharto in May 1998. Between then and early 1999, the Timor-Leste resistance was able to break through and win the support for some key countries for self-determination. That helped make the referendum in August 1999 possible, and also helped… More A 1999 story: How Timor-Leste’s resistance gained Canada’s support, and why that matters

New archival document release : Arnold Kohen papers

October 5, 2021

This week’s release of online archival documents from the Timor International Solidarity Archive (TiSA) represents thousands of pages of publications, news clippings and internal documents from the files of Arnold Kohen, including papers published under the names East Timor Defence Committee, The Humanitarian Project, and others. The materials are organized into three subcollections composed of materials collected by Arnold… More New archival document release : Arnold Kohen papers

Call for contributions: Documents on the Santa Cruz massacre, 12 November 1991

September 2, 2021

In 1991, hundreds of Timorese died or were injured at the hands of Indonesian soldiers at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, Timor-Leste. The massacre was pivotal in the Timor-Leste independence struggle, bringing systematic violations of human rights and mass atrocities to global attention and sparking a wave of solidarity activism around the world. The… More Call for contributions: Documents on the Santa Cruz massacre, 12 November 1991