As part of an internationally coordinated series of protest actions,
militants rallied at the Australian embassy today to demand that Australia
establish a fair maritime border according to UNCLOS and international law. Similar
to the dispute over the West Philippine Sea, East Timor is contesting claims by
Australia on the oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea.PR0112
Members of Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines) and Philippine
Airlines Employees Association-International Transport Workers Federation held
a solidarity action at the Australian embassy in Makati today to signify
support for the just demand of East Timor. The protesters shouted “Australia: Don't be a bully in the Timor Sea like China in
the West Philippine Sea!”
Similar actions at Australian embassies or Australian government bodies
are slated in East Timor, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the US from March
22 to 24.
Just before East Timor gained independence as a country, Australia withdrew
from the UNCLOS and thus there has been no maritime border fixed between the
two countries except for provisional arrangements dictated by the latter.
At stake in the dispute is control over oil and resources which are
currently exploited by Australia but which will lie within East Timor’s
jurisdiction as per UNCLOS. East Timor demands control over the resources so it
can be used for their national development.
Among
the slogans highlighted in today’s protest are:
Hands off East Timor's oil!
Australia: Median line now!
Australia: Heed international law, Draw
maritime border with East Timor!
Australia: Be fair and just, Draw maritime
border with East Timor!
March 22, 2016
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