Timor-Leste


Share
Share

Timor-Lesté Human Rights

Background

East Timor (Timor Lesté) is a new country. In a dangerous 1999 UN-mandated referendum, East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for freedom from a 25-year occupation by Indonesia. That occupation was marked continually by serious human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian military, documented in the Amnesty International publication "Power and Impunity: Indonesia and East Timor" (ISBN 0-939994-92-5, AI Index 21/17/94). The 1999 vote was followed by massive killings and a refugee crisis orchestrated by Indonesia's military (TNI) and Indonesian-sponsored militias.

Amnesty International Concerns

Each for their own reasons, the Timorese and Indonesian governments resist bringing to justice perpetrators of the serious crimes in Timor-Leste in 1999. The East Timorese government failed to consider the report of the national Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation, (CAVR) which the President presented to Parliament in November 2005. The report, titled "Chega," ("Enough!") is a stellar example of careful research and sensitivity to the horrors that occurred in East Timor. Unfortunately, the governments of Indonesia and East Timor have not acted on the report. The CAVR report is available here.

The U.S. Congress imposed restrictions on funding of the Indonesian military until the very issues above are resolved (accountability for human right abuses in East Timor). The Bush Administration overrode those restrictions citing the so-called "war on terror." Restrictions on military aid to Indonesia is one of the few mechanisms that can force accountability for real crimes committed by Indonesia against the people of East Timor.

Timor-Leste Newsroom



February 18, 2016 • Report

Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016

International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

February 25, 2015 • Report

State of the World 2014/2015

This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.

May 29, 2013 • Report

Annual Report: Timor-Leste 2013

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE Head of state José Maria Vasconcelos (replaced José Ramos-Horta) Head of government Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Impunity persisted for crimes against humanity and gross human rights …

March 26, 2011 • Report

Timor-Leste: Justice in the shadow

Timor-Leste: Justice in the shadow Available in PDF only

March 26, 2011 • Report

“We cry for justice”: Impunity persists 10 years on in Timor-Leste

"We cry for justice": Impunity persists 10 years on in Timor-Leste Available in PDF format

March 19, 2011 • Report

Annual Report: East Timor 2010

Head of state José Manuel Ramos-Horta Head of government Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Death penalty abolitionist for all crimes Population 1.1 million Life expectancy 60.7 years Under-5 mortality (m/f) 92/91 …

February 22, 2016 • Press Release

Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms

On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.

February 18, 2016 • Press Release

Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International

International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

November 12, 2012 • Press Release

Victims of Killings, Rape and Torture in Timor-Leste Deserve Justice

Perpetrators of killings and other human rights abuses during the Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste must not be allowed to go unpunished, Amnesty International said as the UN Security Council was due to meet in New York to finalize withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission.

March 27, 2011 • Press Release

Timor-Leste President would support international tribunal

Timor-Leste President would support international tribunal 8 March 2010 The President of Timor-Leste has told Amnesty International he would support the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for crimes committed …

DONATE