Past crimes hamper democracy as East Timorese Prime Minister resigns

As East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigns today, Progressio says efforts to rebuild East Timor will stumble as long as justice for its citizens remains elusive. The international development agency calls on the UK government to address past atrocities to East Timorese people under Indonesian rule that are hampering the country's current democracy.

The UK government was one of the largest funders of the East Timorese Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) report, which called for the investigation and prosecution of named Indonesian military and command officers. It recommended the establishment of an international tribunal if other means were not successful and Indonesia persisted in obstructing justice. The CAVR report also called for specific countries including the UK to address their role in supporting Indonesia politically and militarily during the occupation of East Timor.

The CAVR report, which took nearly 8,000 statements from East Timorese who had lived through the occupation, said: 'The demand for justice and accountability remains a fundamental issue in the lives of many East Timorese and a potential obstacle to building a democratic society based upon respect for the rule of law and authentic reconciliation between individuals, families, communities and nations. The legacy of this lack of justice for years of human rights violations is manifold. For both Timor- Leste and Indonesia the result is that impunity has become entrenched.'

Progressio's Asia regional manager Cathy Scott said: 'The UK government paid approximately £500,000 towards the CAVR process, and yet will not respond to the report's findings. Thousands of Timorese people placed great faith in this process by telling their stories, so by ignoring the report the UK government shows disrespect to those people and undermines the entire process. Addressing crimes of the past is important for the UK, East Timor and Indonesia in preventing such atrocities happening again.'    
 
The departure of the Prime Minister today follows resignations last week of East Timor's minister of the interior and minister for defence. The United Nations Secretary General admits the UN 'left too early', and the international community is preparing once again to strengthen its role in East Timor and launch an investigation into the violence which has recently rocked the country.

Notes to editors

• For further information, please contact Clare Jeffery on 020 7354 0883 or at clarej@progressio.org.uk.
• Progressio began to support East Timor at the start of the Indonesian occupation through lobbying and mobilising faith-based organisations, religious institutions, the Bishops' Conference and the UK government. Progressio continues to support East Timor through its development worker programme.
• Catherine Scott, is Progressio's regional manager for Africa, Middle East and Asia.
• Progressio is an international development agency working with people of all faiths and none for the eradication of poverty and an end to injustice.