Guest Lecture: The Challenges of Reconciliation in Timor-Leste

Question 1

Population of Timor-Leste

Answer 1

Population: 1.38 million
59% population under 25

Question 2

of Languages in Timor-Leste

Answer 2

36 different languages and dialects

Question 3

Brief History

Answer 3

• 1515 – onwards: Arrival of Portuguese and the start of
  colonization
• 1974: Carnation Revolution in Portugal precipitated political and social upheaval in Timor-Leste
• 1975: Proclamation of RDTL & The Indonesian invasion.
  -1975-1999: Indonesian occupation
• 1999: Referendum and The departure of Indonesia
• 2002: Official restoration of the independence

Question 4

CAVR’s Objectives

Answer 4

• Inquire into and establish the truth regarding human rights violation from 25 April 1974 and 25 October 1999
• Identify practices and policies for reform to prevent the reoccurrence of human rights violations in Timor-Leste
• Help restore the dignity of victims,
• Promote reconciliation and reintegration of perpetrators of minor crimes with their communities.

Question 5

Truth-Seeking

Answer 5

To establish the truth about past human rights
violations’ and present ‘factual and objective information

Question 6

Community Reconciliation

Answer 6

To facilitate community reconciliation by dealing with past cases of lesser crimes such as looting, burning and minor assault

Question 7

Reception and Survivor support

Answer 7

To help restore the dignity of victims of human rights violations

Question 8

Roles of civil society

Answer 8

• Pushing for the the implementation of recommendations
• Creating spaces for public dialogue
• Lobbying government and non government bodies to implement essential services
• Tracing and reuniting ‘stolen children’ taken to Indonesia during the occupation