It's one of the more disgraceful, and criminally underreported, examples of the current government's war on whistleblowers (and one entirely supported by Labor): the harassment of Witness K, the former ASIS agent who revealed ASIS' illegal bugging of the East Timorese government in 2004 for the benefit of Australian resources companies.

Later today, Witness K's actions will be recognised at the Blueprint Prize for Free Speech awards in London. K, who, as a former ASIS agent, cannot be identified, will be acknowledged by the committee along with three other individuals "who displayed great bravery and integrity in revealing a truth for the greater public good". The award committee says:

"In 2004, Witness K refused to be involved in an ASIS operation to 'bug' the cabinet rooms of Timor Leste during negotiations for a proposed oil and gas treaty between Timor Leste and Australia. Witness K determined that the operation's main purpose was one of commercial espionage not a matter of national security. When Timor Leste commenced international arbitration proceedings against Australia in The Hague to have the oil and gas treaty overturned, Witness K was prepared to attend as a key witness for Timor Leste.

"To prevent him leaving the country ASIO raided K's home and his lawyer's office. K's passport and other materials were seized from him. His passport is still retained. Criminal proceedings have been threatened against him and the investigation is ongoing. Witness K's courage in standing up to secret and powerful forces demonstrated his strong moral compass in the performance of his duties."

It's important to note that Witness K did not act as a whistleblower. Witness K and his lawyer, Bernard Collaery, broke no laws in relation to the revelation, but they were acting in compliance with the advice of the former Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Ian Carnell about how Witness K should pursue a complaint about his treatment at the hands of ASIS. In response to the award, Collaery said:

"K, an Australian war veteran, was deeply moved by the suffering of the people of East Timor. Cheating the Timorese in revenue negotiations on behalf of major petroleum producers had no connection with Australia's national security. K has been harassed, deprived of a passport and threatened with prosecution. K is an Australian hero. I am very proud that he has received this international acknowledgement."

Source: http://www.crikey.com.au/2016/05/09/witness-k-gets-international-recognition/

Indonesia 'may be drawn into Timor talks'

Australian Associated Press - May 6, 2016

The foreign affairs department says potentially reopening border negotiations with East Timor could draw Indonesia into the fray.

Federal Labor has pledged to reopen good-faith negotiations with East Timor over a disputed maritime boundary if it wins government. The move could have implications for the carve up of oil or gas reserves.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese said if laterals are shifted that could also have ramifications for Australia's boundary with Indonesia. Bilateral talks potentially could become trilateral, he said.

"We don't believe there is any basis to revisit the arrangements," Mr Varghese told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Friday. "We think the current arrangements serve Australia's interests well and I might add... provide a very fair and generous deal for East Timor."

Mr Varghese said recent protests of thousands of people outside Australia's embassy in Dili had not put staff or property at risk. The embassy had maintained close contact with East Timor authorities during the protests.

East Timor for years has sought to renegotiate the treaty governing sharing arrangements for revenue from the Greater Sunrise oil and gas field worth an estimated $40 billion.

The treaty was signed soon after East Timor gained statehood in 2002. There have been allegations Australia spies eavesdropped on East Timor officials during negotiations.

Source: http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/05/06/19/15/indonesia-may-be-drawn-into-timor-talks

East Timor's Xanana Gusmao says small nations angry with Australia, and will put bid

Sydney Morning Herald - May 1, 2016

Tom Allard – Australia's bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council is under threat due to its refusal to negotiate directly with East Timor over the disputed maritime boundary, the former president of the fledgling state, Xanana Gusmao, says.

In an exclusive interview with Fairfax Media, Mr Gusmao – still a hugely influential figure in East Timor and its government – said his country would not actively support Australia's bid, adding that many developing nations were alarmed by Australia's stance on the border in Timor Sea, which it says is denying tens of billions of dollars in oil and gas revenue that should be rightfully East Timor's.

"We will be there at the UN saying we don't think it's the right time for Australia to be there on the Human Rights Council," Mr Gusmao said.

"How can Australia deny the rights of one people and one country – East Timor – if it wants to defend human rights. When we talk about human rights, we talk about it in a large context. The right to human life, the right to education, the right to health. It is everything.

"That's why it will be very difficult for Australia [to win a seat]. We know many countries – small, poor – who have also been bullied by their big neighbours."

East Timor's position illustrates the deteriorating relations between the neighbouring states. During the previous Labor administration, East TImor lobbied hard for Australia when it sought a position on the security council, using its influence among emerging and Portuguese-language nations to woo them to Australia's cause.

The rebuff from East Timor comes as Australia's human rights credentials come under international scrutiny over its approach to processing asylum seekers offshore, especially after the closure of Manus Island's detention centre last week and Australia's refusal to resettle any of the asylum seekers left in limbo.

"The whole refugee issue is damaging Australia's international reputation," says Elaine Pearson, of Human Rights Watch, a prominent non-government organisation.

Australia is putting in a huge effort to get on the human rights council, the UN body that monitors human rights in every country. Philip Ruddock – the veteran Liberal MP and former immigration minister – was appointed human rights envoy this year to guide the bid.

Mr Ruddock disputed the notion that disquiet among some nations about refugee policy and the boundary fracas with East Timor would cruel Australia's bid.

"There are a broad range of issues that are relevant before the human rights council," he said, adding Australia's bid will be built on its record of promoting the rights of women, the media press and Indigenous communities, as well as its opposition to the death penalty.

The council has 47 members. Many have poor human rights records, including Saudi Arabia, China and Qatar.

Australia is in the "western and others" grouping of nations. It is seen as being among three countries chasing two spots on the council from 2018 to 2020. France is considered a near certainty to win one slot while Australia and Spain battle for the final position.

East Timor has taken Australia to the UN for "compulsory conciliation" over the border, frustrated by Australia's refusal to negotiate directly. Australia has until Monday to nominate two members to work on the five-member panel that will take 12 months to investigate the dispute and provide non-binding recommendations.

Mr Gusmao said his country's difficulties with Australia contrast with the agreement between East Timor and Indonesia to negotiate a sea border on the basis of a "median line" principle.

Indonesia was a brutal occupier of East Timor for three decades and imprisoned Gusmao for years. Australia played a key role in its liberation. Asked to reflect on this turn of events, Mr Gusmao said: "Yes, it is ironic, isn't it."

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/east-timors-xanana-gusmao-says-small-nations-angry-with-australia-and-will-put-bid-for-un-seat-in-peril-20160501-goj9le.html

'It was a game': former Timor PM

The New Daily - May 1, 2016

Mark Skulley – Former East Timor leader Xanana Gusmao is a softly-spoken man, but is firm when it comes to talking about Australian prime ministers, past and present.

After starting out as a resistance commander against Indonesia, Gusmao became the first president of the independent Timor-Leste and then served as prime minister for about eight years until 2015.

He is now the chief negotiator in Timor's David-and-Goliath struggle to negotiate a maritime boundary with its far bigger neighbour, Australia, which includes rights to the oil under the seabed.

Speaking to The New Daily during a visit to Melbourne, Gusmao ran through the various machinations between Timor, Australia and Indonesia over maritime boundaries and oil over the last half-century.

Gusmao concedes that Timor again showed its inexperience in signing the 2006 Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS).

The tiny nation argues that international law supports the maritime border being on the median line between it and Australia, which would put contested oil and gas reserves in Timorese waters.

As things stand, Timor gets 90 per cent of the output in a Joint Petroleum Development Area and there is a proposed 50-50 split of Woodside Petroleum's undeveloped Greater Sunrise field.

When Gusmao was prime minister, he put the Timorese case to his counterpart Julia Gillard, who insisted Australia had done no wrong.

"In the time of Julia Gillard, I tried then to tell her we've got a problem and better to talk. We don't want to blow up all of these issues, but she didn't listen to me."

Talks riddled with complexities

In 2013, Timor launched confidential proceedings in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing the treaties that divide the petroleum revenue are invalid because Australia bugged the Timorese government offices during the CMATS talks in 2004 and did not negotiate in good faith.

The arbitration became public after Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIO) raided the home of a former spy, identified as Witness K, and the offices of Canberra-based lawyer Bernard Collaery.

In 2014, Timor agreed to a request from Australia to put the proceedings on hold to allow further talks. Last year, Australia returned the seized information without acknowledging it had violated Timor's sovereign rights.

The Timorese can't take their case to the International Court of Justice under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea because Australia withdrew (in 2002) from a clause that allowed compulsory dispute resolution.

Gusmao says that Timor agreed to suspend the initial legal action because they thought it would lead to negotiations over the maritime border. "For eight months, it was a game. When we started to talk the people sent to us said: 'oh we are junior, we cannot say anything and we just came to listen'."

Turnbull refuses to budge

This year, the current Timor Prime Minister wrote to Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull again asking for talks on a maritime boundary.

"His response was about all and about nothing," Gusmao said. "The same language that we experienced for years... that it was better for you than for us because of 90-10 per cent [split]."

Timor has now sought compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCOS), which included a meeting in New York last month between Gusmao and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

Gusmao is quietly indignant that Australia has fixed its maritime boundaries with all other nations, but has refused to do the same with the two per cent of its border shared with Timor.

"Look, when we understood this, we said no way, it is not very fair from a big country, a developed country, to a teeny country and an underdeveloped country," he said. "We hope in this that the national interest will be the national honour, to right the wrong."

Labor has agreed to negotiate a maritime boundary, but the Liberal-National Coalition has yet to budge. Still, Gusmao and the Timorese live in hope.

Source: http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2016/05/01/xanana-gusmao-timor-leste/

Journalism & press freedom

Timor Leste's Prime Minister isn't backing down on his defamation lawsuit against two

Global Voices - May 7, 2016

On April 22, 2016, several global media groups wrote a letter to Timor Leste Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo, urging him to withdraw the defamation case he filed against two local journalists. A week later, Araujo responded, defending his decision to pursue a case against the reporters.

This author got a copy of Araujo's letter, which addressed the concerns raised by global media groups. Araujo said he will not tolerate 'press irresponsibility':

"I will not trade press freedom and freedom of expression with 'press irresponsibility' and 'irresponsible expression of freedom'."

The letter, signed by Committee to Protect Journalists, Freedom House, International Federation of Journalists, and Southeast Asia Journalist Unions, refers to the case of Raimundos Oki and Vicente Martins of the Timor Post newspaper. On November 10, 2015, Timor Post ran a story alleging corruption in a government tendering process. A few days later, the newspaper posted a correction and a reply from the office of the prime minister – a right protected by the country's press law – in relation to the story.

But Araujo, who was not satisfied with the correction published by the newspaper, filed a defamation case against Oki and Martins.

However, in the letter he gave to global media groups, Araujo asserted that what he filed was not a criminal defamation case, but merely the "presenting of facts to the prosecutor's office of a publicly disseminated false accusation against me."

Araujo insisted that he has a right to press charges against the journalists who he says made false accusations against him:

"Can a journalist write, and newspapers publish these types of reports just because of press freedom and freedom of expression?
There was indeed a report by Timor Post on a press conference in which I denied the false accusations, and an apology was published mentioning 'technical error', but not a single word 'correcting' the patently baseless accusations."

He added that Timor Leste's press law guarantees the rights of journalists, but "not as a means of sanctioning any wrongdoing by journalists or publishing agencies."

Last April 11, the two respondents were summoned to appear in the prosecutor's office. After probing the case, the prosecutor's office decided to charge the two journalists with 'slanderous denunciation'.

"[...] the prosecution believes that Raimundos Oki 'after getting this information, did not verify the truth of this information nor confronted with the victim in order to get their version of the facts.'
[...] It did so in order to hit the honor, good name and reputation due to injured Rui de Araujo, well knowing that such rights are constitutionally protected and that the news did not correspond to the truth."

The letter from the global media groups was sent a few days before the celebration of World Press Freedom Day. It expressed concern about the impact of the defamation case on Timor Leste's commitment to protect press freedom:

"[...] the international media community is both disappointed and concerned that such an action is being pursued and strongly urge for you to unconditionally drop the charges and stop using legal threats to harass Timor Leste's journalists.
[...] this defamation complaint against Oki and Martins threatens to significantly undermine press freedom in Timor Leste by engendering a culture of fear and intimidation among journalists who report on issues of national import."

Interviewed by this author about his case, Oki replied:

"When escalated to a legal lawsuit, I have no fear because I am ready to take my responsibility for what I have done, because we already have obeyed everything by doing the correction and giving the right to reply."

Despite this case, Araujo, while addressing a group of journalists on May 3 during the World Press Freedom Day, affirmed Timor Leste's adherence to freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Source: https://globalvoices.org/2016/05/07/timor-lestes-prime-minister-isnt-backing-down-on-his-defamation-lawsuit-against-two-journalists/

High-level defamation cases curb critical journalism

Inter Press Service - May 4, 2016

Lyndal Rowlands, United Nations – High-level defamation, libel and sedition cases in Asian countries are sending signals to journalists that writing critical journalism can cost millions of dollars or years in prison.

"Increasingly we're seeing countries, especially countries that call themselves democracies, (using) this more subtle approach within the means of the law to silence criticism," Sumit Galhotra a Senior Researcher at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) told IPS.

In two current cases in Bangladesh and Timor-Leste journalists are being sued for articles they wrote about their respective Prime Ministers. Mahfuz Anam, editor of Bangladesh's Daily Star, is currently facing billions of dollars in lawsuits.

"Over 70 defamation and sedition cases (have) been filed against this amazing editor at one of the largest English language papers in the country," Galhotra told IPS. "The staggering number of them is really alarming."

"Anam's admission that he published unsubstantiated information accusing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of corruption has led to a barrage of defamation and sedition cases against him," Galhotra wrote in a blog post published by the CPJ.

On the other side of the Indian ocean, Raimundos Oki a journalist with the Timor Post is facing possible jail time for an article he wrote about Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Rui Araujo.

Oki is facing a defamation case over a factual error in Oki's reporting on a government tendering process.

Yet, according to a letter from four international journalism organisations, including CPJ, sent to Araujo, Oki and Timor Post published a correction and right of reply "in accordance with Timor Leste's own Press Law."

The Australian newspaper reported that Araujo's response to the letter said that "press freedom and freedom of expression" should not be traded for "press irresponsibility" and "irresponsible expression of freedom."

IPS spoke with Oki about what it is like to be a journalist in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is one of the least developed countries in Asia, according to the UN Human Development Index, and journalists there are paid less than $200 per month.

Oki said that the journalists have an important role in Timor-Leste's development. "To develop this country we need a journalist sometimes who pushes the government or pushes another institution in order to accelerate the development process," he said.

Due to Timor-Leste's oil and gas revenues, the national economy is dominated by the Timorese government, which uses this money to provide services to the Timorese people.

Oki said that it is important for journalists to follow where government spending is going, because it isn't always known where these funds end up. "The role of the journalist (is) to follow the money, where is the money going," he said.

Yet, according to Galhotra, defamation cases such as the one Oki is facing send a signal to journalists who write about governments and large corporations.

"There's a signal being sent that this is what can happen to you," he said. "You can also be in a court room facing financial devastation so think twice before you lift your pen to criticise." He said that it is very hard to know exactly how many articles don't get written because of the resulting self-censorship.

Commenting on Oki's case, Galhotra told IPS that Oki has also received threatening phone calls telling him that he should "be careful."

"Governments are very quick to take to courts to proceed on defamation proceedings but when it comes to affording journalists protections when we're under threat we don't see any action on that front," said Galhotra.

Update:

In a letter published by several Timorese newspapers on April 29, Araujo claimed that Timor Post had not made a correction, only an apology mentioning a "technical error."

Source: http://www.ipsnews.net/2016/05/high-level-defamation-cases-curb-critical-journalism/

Labour & migrant workers

Raise the Timor-Leste minimum wage, church official says

UCA News - May 2, 2016

Thomas Ora, Dili – The current daily minimum wage in Timor-Leste is outdated and needs to be raised, a top church official says.

Father Adrian Ola Duli, director of Caritas Dili, said the current wage of about US$3.75 was not enough for a worker to afford three meals a day, let alone provide for his family. The monthly wage is $115 a month and needs to be raised to more than $200, Father Duli said.

According to Timor-Leste tradition, a worker supports all people living in his house, not just a spouse and children. It is common in the country for a household to be home to several families, he noted. Father Duli further said that many families have complained about low wages during his encounters with them.

On May 1, more than 400 workers from a number of worker federations protested outside the prime minister's palace in Dili demanding the government revise the minimum wage regulation enforced in 2012.

Joao Bosco, a protester, said he joined the rally because existing regulations on the minimum wage are no longer relevant. "I need an improvement in my salary," said Bosco, a worker at Dili's seaport.

Similarly Jose Conceicao da Costa, general-secretary of the Timor-Leste workers confederation, said during the May Day rally that the minimum wage set by the government four years ago needed revision to meet the needs of workers. "The price of basic commodities increases from time to time," he said.

Timor-Leste Minister of Labor Ilidio Ximenes da Costa told workers that the government will look at their demands and promised to find ways how to increase the welfare of workers. He said revision is urgent because the government believes that workers are key factor in national development.

"But change should be gradually, not revolutionary," he said. "Every aspect will be considered for the common goal, including employers. We need foreign investment. If every year we demand an increase to the minimum wage, I am afraid investors will hesitate to invest in our country," Da Costa said.

According to a 2013 labor force survey by the International Labor Organization, the service sector employed more than 50 percent of Timor-Leste labor force, followed by agriculture, while the industry sector absorbed 13 percent.

As an alternative, the ministry of labor continues to send Timor-Leste workers overseas where the average salary if often $1,500 per month.

Source: http://www.ucanews.com/news/raise-the-timor-leste-minimum-wage-church-official-says/75919

Health & education

Timor Leste thanks RI for medical mission

Jakarta Post - May 24, 2016

Jakarta – Indonesia and Timor Leste forged a closer relationship on Monday with the latter awarding medals of honor to hundreds of Indonesian Military members serving in Dili where they provided medical assistance to local people and military personnel between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2 this year.

Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu received the honor on behalf of the soldiers from the Timor Leste government during a meeting attended by representatives of both countries at the Defense Ministry office in Jakarta.

"The award has a positive impact on the relationship between both countries, especially in the defense sector," Ryamizard said in his opening remarks for the event.

As many as 441 personnel from the Indonesian Army, the Indonesian Navy and the Indonesian Air Force, as well as officials from the Indonesian Defense Ministry, served during the four-day mission in Dili to provide medical services such as general checkups, dental surgery, early stroke treatment and cataract surgery to locals and Timor Leste military members.

The two countries have been forging a better bilateral relationship since Timor Leste formalized its independence from Indonesia following a UN-supervised referendum held in 1999.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/24/national-scene-timor-leste-thanks-ri-medical-mission.html

1.5% of people in Timor-Leste suffer from diabetes

Dili Weekly - May 17, 2016

Paulina Quintao – Research of non-communicable disease conducted by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the national university UNTL in 2014 shows that 1.5% of people in Timor-Leste suffer from diabetes.

Health Minister Maria do Ceu Sarmento Pina da Costa said the research was carried out due to rising mortality rates from non-communicable diseases.

The increase in the number of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and kidney failure has been linked to the unhealthy lifestyle practices of many Timorese.

"Many people in Timor-Leste prefer to eat fast food from restaurants rather than homemade food and also people prefer to go by car rather than on foot," said da Costa at a world health celebration at Hotel Timor in Dili.

Although the percentage of non-communicable disease is small compared to other prevalent diseases in Timor, the minister said those figures were likely to increase in the future due to socio-economic factors.

"That's why it's necessary to prevent [these diseases] before the numbers increase," she said. However, da Costa said many Timorese were still unfamiliar with non-communicable diseases and their potential health implications.

World Health Organization (WHO) representative Dr Rajesh Pandav said diabetes is characteristic of having high blood glucose. To prevent diabetes people are urged to avoid eating sugary food, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol in excess.

"Politically, we have supported the development of the national strategic plan for non-communicable disease and now we are supporting the development of an integrated action plan among ministries because non-communicable diseases are not only theMinistry of Health's responsibility," said Pandav.

Pandav also encouraged people to eat a healthy diet that included plenty of fruits and vegetables and to do regular exercise.

To help increase awareness, WHO has produced a pamphlet with information in Tetun about diabetes and its complications. WHO's data show that diabetes is widespread throughout the world, with 96 million people affected in the Asia-Pacific region.

Internal medicine specialist Dr Celia Alexandra Gusmao said diabetes can lead to complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, blindness, cancer and stroke. "Diabetes is quite hard to cure, therefore treatment and routine control are necessary to prevent complications," said Gusmao.

Every week about 10 people are hospitalized at the Guido Valadares National Hospital due to complications arising as a result of diabetes. She appealed to those who may be at risk to have a blood test so that the disease could be detected and treated early.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/health/13740-1-5-of-people-in-timor-leste-suffer-from-diabetes

Women's rights

More promotion needed to encourage women in sport

Dili Weekly - May 5, 2016

Paulina Quintao – Despite high participation rates, there continues to be lack of promotion around women in sport, according to the Coordinator of the Commission for Women in Sport, Filomena Reis.

She said women in Timor-Leste were involved in 24 different sports, including badminton, volleyball, basketball, marathon, karate and taekwondo.

"The media, women and everyone talk about and promote women's participation in all areas, but they forget women in sport. I am so sad to see that," said Reis at her office in Dili.

Although many female athletes had competed successfully overseas, she said most received little recognition for their achievements. She said the commission was planning to have an exhibition about women in sport in order to encourage more women to participate.

She is also concerned that Timorese athletes did not have an adequate training center or access to a nutritious diet. "In some competitions the trainers set up a place for them to prepare, but after the competition they (athletes) just go back to their homes," she said.

President of Commission F (for Health, Education, Culture, Veteran Affairs, Gender Equality and Sports affairs) MP Virgilio da Costa Hornai said sport was about talent rather than gender.

"It is a talent and men or women can have it," he said. He therefore encouraged talented women across the country to get involved in sport.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/gender/13708-more-promotion-needed-to-encourage-women-in-sport

CEDAW asks Timor-Leste to modify draft law on human trafficking

Dili Weekly - May 5, 2016

Paulina Quintao – The committee for the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has called on the Timorese government to modify its draft law on human trafficking.

The government presented its second and third reports to CEDAW last November in Geneva. The National Director for Gender Development Policy, Henrique da Silva, said it was very important to protect and help the victims.

"The CEDAW committee has asked our government to take back the pending laws, especially the human trafficking and land property laws, in order to assure women's rights [are protected]," da Silva said at his office in Kaikoli, Dili.

He said the Timorese government also needed to take into consideration trafficking that occurred across international borders and domestically.

National MP Ilda Maria da Conceicao said the law was still with Commission A (for constitution, justice, public administration, local authorities and anti-corruption affairs) and had not yet been scheduled for discussion by the parliament.

She also called for a campaign to raise awareness in communities so that women could better understand the risks. "They (women) often have no information [and] therefore some people use them by offering them unexpected jobs and they accept it for financial reasons," she said.

She said the Parliamentary Women's Caucus (GMPTL) strongly condemned the perpetrators of the crime and would continue to take action to protect the new generation from falling victim.

On April 7, the government of Timor-Leste and its development partners established an inter-agency group to oversee the implementation of its programs to combat human trafficking and forced labor. In 2015, the Department of Prosecution and national police investigated eight cases of human trafficking.

Meanwhile, Alola Foundation Executive Director Alzira Reis said they continued to raise awareness among young people about human trafficking and its consequences.

She said Timor-Leste was not only a destination country and that in some cases Timorese women were also trafficked abroad. "Timor-Leste is at risk of human trafficking due to the limited employment opportunities so it is easy for other people to exploit the Timorese," she said.

In 2015 there were a number of attempts to traffic women abroad, but they were captured by police at the airport. Domestic trafficking across municipality and town borders was also a problem, with women from rural areas often tricked into coming to Dili with promises of employment, she added.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/13706-cedaw-asks-timor-leste-to-modify-draft-law-on-human-trafficking

Sexual & domestic violence

Polygamy linked to rising domestic violence

Dili Weekly - May 11, 2016

Paulina Quintao – The increase in domestic violence cases has been linked to rising levels of polygamy and infidelity in the country.

The Coordinator of Psychosocial Recovery and Development East Timor (PRADET), Luisa Marcal, said data showed that domestic violence was linked to polygamy rather than financial stresses.

Although polygamy is not officially recognized under Timorese law, it continues to be practiced informally. There are also cases where men beat their first wives in a bid to force them to leave the marriage so that they can openly pursue another relationship.

Marcal said PRADET assisted an average of four victims of domestic violence per day, providing shelter for them as they were often unsafe in their own homes. She called for stronger laws to condemn such actions, adding that PRADET would continue to provide morality based education to communities.

According to the second and third report presented by the Timor-Leste government last year to the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 2% of married Timorese women were in a polygamous relationship.

National MP Josefa Alvares Pereira Soares also acknowledged domestic violence cases were increasing due to men taking more than one wife.

She said many women felt ashamed about the situation and were afraid to report polygamy, preferring instead to suffer in silence and remain in the relationship for the sake of their children. "The government and tradition acknowledge monogamy not polygamy," she said.

Under Timorese law only the first wife is recognized and men have a responsibility to pay family and child support. Soares therefore urged women to report cases of polygamy and to pursue their rights under the law.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/gender/13714-polygamy-linked-to-rising-domestic-violence

More domestic violence victims accessing formal justice

Dili Weekly - May 5, 2016

Paulina Quintao – The numbers of domestic violence victims accessing formal justice has increased since last year, according to Psychosocial Recovery and Development in Timor-Leste (PRADET).

Coordinator of PRADET's Fatin Hakmatek (safe room) program Luis Marcal said this was due in part to the good working relationship between PRADET and other networks, which had helped speed up the processing of cases in comparison to previous years.

"It seems like some progress has been made as the process in court has been running effectively," Marcal said at his office in Bidau, Dili.

However, he said greater efforts were still needed in order to provide effective assistance and proper justice to victims, particularly those whose cases were still pending.

The Director of the Timorese Women's Communication Forum (FOKUPERS), Marilia Alves, said the lenient penalties handed down by the courts also needed to be examined. "The penalties need to be revised as they are often suspended sentences," she said.

Alves said last year the Department of Prosecution established a special unit to work on domestic violence and child abuse cases.

Member of the Parliamentary Women's Caucus (GMPTL) MP Josefa Alvares Pereira Soares said many domestic violence cases were suspended as some victims opted not to proceed. Soares said victims often continued living peacefully with the defendants, while their cases were being processed and therefore the courts were reluctant to intervene or cause a divorce between the couple.

She also urged women to be consistent with the statements they provided in order to reach a workable solution and not to report domestic issues out of anger or emotion.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/security-defencejustice/13704-more-domestic-violence-victims-accessing-formal-justice

Gender & sexual orientation

Calls for police to provide protection for LGBT communities

Dili Weekly - May 11, 2016

Venidora Oliveira – Members of the national police force (PNTL) are receiving training to help them better protect and recognize the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities across the country.

The Human Rights and Justice Ombudsman (PDHJ), Silverio Pinto, said they were working with the Coalition for Diversity and Action (CODIVA) to raise awareness among PNTL officers of LGBT issues and help prevent discrimination. "We have begun to introduce the topic on LGBT issues to police members," he said in Dili.

He said members of the LGBT community deserved the same rights as others and should not be discriminated against due to their sexual orientation. He also said it was acceptable for members of the LGBT community to dress as they chose in public as long as they were not violating any laws.

Meanwhile, Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) Executive Director Luis Oliveira Sampaio said human rights were clearly defined and should not be compromised based on gender or sexual orientation.

He said better awareness was needed not just in the PNTL, but also among communities, as often the family was the first to marginalize a LGBT person.

He said videos mocking the LGBT community also continued to be posted online, which he categorized as humiliation. "Those words and actions hurt them," he said. As part of a modern society, Sampaio called on the State to accept change and move with the times.

Dili resident Maria Gama said all people should have the same rights, including the LGBT community, as long as they weren't breaking any laws. "They have the same rights even if their sexual orientation is different," she said.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/capital/13718-calls-for-police-to-provide-protection-for-lgbt-communities

Graft & corruption

Parliament passes law limiting president's clemency powers

Dili Weekly - May 11, 2016

Venidora Oliveira – Timor-Leste's National Parliament has approved a law limiting the power of the President to grant clemency to those convicted of corruption.

The Deputy President of Commission A (responsible for the constitution, justice, public administration, local authorities and anti-corruption), MP Arao Noe, said previously there had been no law defining how the President could use his clemency powers or who was eligible.

Under law no. 30/III/III those convicted of corruption, human trafficking and drug crimes will no longer be able to receive a presidential pardon.

Noe said such crimes against the State were not deserving of an amnesty and that those responsible must serve their full sentences regardless of good behavior.

"They should fulfill the sentence completely and it is not against their human rights," he said. He said it the new law would provide a legal basis for the head of state to determine who was eligible and exclude certain prisoners.

National MP Osorio Florindo agreed that the new law was necessary to act as a deterrent against corruption and other serious crimes. "It's a bad attitude and [the law] should be implemented in order that leaders are afraid to commit corruption," he said.

Meanwhile, Dili resident Caetano Carvalho said he appreciated the government's efforts to address corruption issues by introducing the new law.

He added that those who committed corruption were not deserving of any sentence remissions as they brought shame to the State, affected development and increased poverty.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/13716-parliament-passes-law-limiting-president-s-clemency-powers

Catholic church & religion

Timor-Leste bishop tells couples to stay true to their faith

UCA News - May 16, 2016

Thomas Ora, Dili – The church in Timor-Leste honored long-married couples on Pentecost Sunday with a reminder that strong Christian families are built upon prayer, good communication, fidelity and love, not through verbal or physical abuse.

"Spouses are the role model in family and society and they must always articulate the promises they made when they received the Sacrament of Matrimony," said Bishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili during May 15 Mass in Dili's Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The Mass coincided with the International Day of Families.

During the Mass, some 20 couples, 10 married for 25 years and 10 for 50 years, were honored for their faith and fidelity to their families. The couples were selected by a committee led by First Lady Isabel da Costa Ferreira.

"We should follow their example," said Ferreira, wife to Timor-Leste President Taur Matan Ruak and mother of three children. "Always say thank you and sorry when you make a mistake. And face family issues and differences with a cool head, not through physical violence," she said.

Domestic violence remains an issue in Timor-Leste, according to data by the Timor-Leste Women's Communication Forum. The forum said that from 2007-2012 there were 956 cases reported.

Ferreira reminded young couples to start establishing good communication and harmony. "Avoid arrogance," she said.

Joao da Cruz, 89, and his wife Florinda, 79, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, received a certificate of recognition from Ruak.

"This award is a symbol for my entire family, for our children and grandchildren," said da Cruz, who has eight children and "about 50 grandchildren."

"I hope young families stick to their marriage vows and be faithful to their spouses, in joy and sorrow," he said. "Stay closer through prayer. This will keep you united," said da Cruz.

Source: http://www.ucanews.com/news/timor-leste-bishop-tells-couples-to-stay-true-to-their-faith/76048

Agriculture & food security

Free field plowing program labeled a waste of money

Dili Weekly - May 13, 2016

Paulina Quintao – A Ministry of Agriculture program offering free field plowing to farmers has been labeled as useless due to the lack of food production.

National MP Manuel Guterres said while the program was a good initiative to encourage farmers to increase their production, but there should be better oversight by the technical support staff. He also called for closer monitoring of extension agents as some based in the sukus (villages) were not working actively.

The ministry's Secretary of State, Cesar Jose da Cruz, said the program provides the subsidy to help motivate farmers to improve their production levels.

He acknowledged that the program was limited to those who were eligible and had submitted their proposals. "It is a subsidy from the government to motivate the farmers to improve their production," he said.

Meanwhile, extension agent Feliciano Soares said the program had been helpful to farmers in the Viqueque municipality. He said farmers were selected based on their proposal submitted to the agriculture director in their municipality.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/development/13730-free-field-plowing-program-labeled-a-waste-of-money

Drought impacting on maize production

Dili Weekly - May 11, 2016

Paulina Quintao– Ongoing drought conditions are to blame for food shortages and crop failures this year, particularly maize, according to the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Marcos da Cruz.

He said many people were experiencing food shortages as there had been no maize production this year.

The statistic is based on national research conducted by MAF and its development partners in 402 sukus (villages).

"Maize grows in a few places, but it has no cobs and some are dead, [so] that is the problem that we face," said da Cruz at the Timor Ag2016 conference held at Hotel Novo Turismo in Dili.

Meanwhile, Viqueque extension agent Feliciano Soares confirmed that maize production in the municipality had significantly declined compared to last year.

"Every year, one hectare of land can produce one or two tones of maize crops, but not for this year," he said. He added that people in the region had required government food aid due to poor production levels.

Farmer Francisco Guterres also said his maize crops had failed. "We do plant it, but there are no cobs and this year we have no maize and we do not have new seeds," he said.

Da Cruz said MAF had begun distributing maize seeds to farmers since the rains returned and was also working with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) to respond to the needs of those affected by the drought.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/13720-drought-impacting-on-maize-production

Fears for future of agriculture as farmers lose passion

Dili Weekly - May 11, 2016

Paulina Quintao – There are concerns that the country's farmers are losing their passion for agricultural work and that production is now in serious decline.

The General Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Cesar Jose da Cruz, said that although the government provided equipment, farmers were often reluctant to expand their operations.

"Our farmers stop farming and do other things, it is a big obstacle faced by the ministry," said da Cruz at the Timor Ag2016 conference held at Novo Turismo Hotel in Dili last month.

To reverse the trend he said a number of factors needed to be prioritized, including irrigation, farm equipment, seed and fertilizer distribution and increasing farmers' capacity.

Despite the government distributing tractors and seeds to farmers, as well as placing extension agents in the sukus (villages), da Cruz said farmers showed little passion for agricultural activities.

However, he said the ministry and its developments partners continued to make efforts to address the challenges and improve food production. From 2006 to 2009, the government allocated $16 million for the purchase of tractors to help improve food production across the country.

Since then the ministry has provided more than 2000 tractors to farmers, but da Cruz said there had been little improvement as many were were not in working order.

Data also shows that between 2008 and 2014 the government allocated $59 million for irrigation rehabilitation projects across the country.

However, extension agent Feliciano Soares said some of the government's programs were actually a disencentive for farmers to work. "Our government has provided funds for the farmers, [so] it means that we teach them not to work because they can just rely on the funds," he said. Lack of access to markets for their produce was another obstacle faced by farmers, with many opting instead to rely on their pensions rather than continue with their farming activities, he said.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/development/13712-fears-for-future-of-agriculture-as-farmers-lose-passion

SoL establishes 1200 seed producer groups

Dili Weekly - May 5, 2016

Paulina Quintao – In the 16 years since the Seeds of Life (SoL) program has been runing, 1200 seed production groups have been established across Timor-Leste.

SoL focuses on distributing high yield crop varieties, with the long-term aim of improving nutrition and improving food security. In 2013, SoL established the national seeds system, comprising of commercial and community-based producers.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Marcos da Cruz expressed his gratitude to the Australian government for its support throughout the program.

Although the Timorese government had allocated funds to import seeds from abroad, he said the establishment of the groups would ensure that 50% of seeds would be purchased inside the country.

"We have established an association for seed producers and 19 varieties have been launched," da Cruz said in a speech at last month's TimorAg2016 conference at Hotel Novu Turismo in Dili.

While seeds such as green beans, peanuts and soybeans would still need to be imported, others such as corn and rice could be sourced in Timor.

The SoL program concludes in September 2016, but the Timorese government plans to allocate $2 million for ongoing research and seed development. Da Cruz said the government had also allocated more than $1 million annually to import and distribute seeds to farmers.

SoL Australian Team Leader John Dalton said significant progress had been made over the past 16 years in establishing seed producer groups and a national seed system in Timor-Leste. He said they had also provided training to teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and other partners on seed development.

He said on-farm testing was conducted throughout the program to ensure the quality of the new seed varieties and that many farming communities were now benefiting from improved crop production.

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador Peter Doyle said although good progress had been made, more work was needed to improve health and malnutrition rates in the country.

He said the Australian government together with the Ministry of Agriculture would launch a new program this year called Farming for Prosperity, which will focus on improving agricultural markets across Timor-Leste. "It will add another dimension in supporting farmers that want to grow more and sell more," he said.

Established in 2000, the SoL program was jointly funded by Australian Aid, The Australian Center for Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Timorese government.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/development/13710-sol-establishes-1200-seed-producer-groups

Young Timorese show little interest in farming

Dili Weekly - May 3, 2016

Paulina Quintao – Increasing numbers of young people are turning their back on farming in favor of a job in the city, said the General-Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Cesar Jose da Cruz.

He said most farm workers in rural areas were men and women aged over 55 years old and lacked the ability to improve agricultural markets. According to da Cruz, between 1999 and 2014, 68% of older Timorese people were working as farmers as young people looked for work elsewhere.

"Most of them (young people) come to Dili and get involved in business [there] and it impacts on the agriculture sector," he said. He said many young people were making the decision to leave their family's land in the districts to look for work in Dili instead.

However, he said the ministry continued to provide farm equipment as an incentive to encourage more young people to get involved in the agriculture sector.

He said it was important to encourage young people to join agricultural cooperatives in rural areas to help strengthen food security in the country. "We need to change their minds and encourage them by making groups to strengthen rural areas and increase the country's food production," he said.

Director of HIAM Health organization Rosaria Martins da Cruz also acknowledged the sector was largely dominated by older people. To try and reverse the trend, she said HIAM Health had provided training to young people in Ermera municipality.

"We have provided training to youths to take over this job because someday the old people will die and they are the ones who must take over," she said.

Training was provided to 27 horticulture groups, mostly comprising of young people. Da Cruz said training focused on farm management as Ermera municipality had good potential for horticulture projects.

Viqueque extension agent Feliciano Soares said while some young people were getting involved in the agriculture sector many left as it was difficult to make a good living. "The youths need money as they have lots of needs, so they are looking for an easy way to earn money by working on construction projects," he added.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/children-youth/13690-young-timorese-show-little-interest-in-farming

Land disputes & evictions

Government criticized over failure to halt illegal buildings

Dili Weekly - May 13, 2016

Paulina Quintao – The government has been criticized for failing to properly control communities building permanent homes on state-owned land and for issuing warning notifications too late.

According to law no. 1/2003, the government has the power to prevent communities from occupying state land, but National MP Manuel Guterres said authorities were not intervening early enough to stop people from building permanent homes.

"The notification should [be given] before not after construction," said Guterres at a Plenary session at the National Parliament. He called for the competent body to investigate local authorities who granted permission to communities to build their homes on state-owned land.

He therefore urged the Secretary of State for Land and Property to establish a team, together with the Ministry of Public Works, to calculate the building costs first before asking families to vacate their property as some of the homes cost more than $20,000.

Meanwhile, Dili resident Jose da Silva agreed that the government's intervention always came too late after the houses were already built. "The local authorities should stop the communities before they start to build their house, so they don't waste their money," he said.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/capital/13728-government-criticized-over-failure-to-halt-illegal-buildings

Foreign affairs & trade

Timor Leste looks to benefit from ASEAN membership

Jakarta Post - May 26, 2016

Tama Salim, Dili – Just 14 years into independence, Timor Leste has secured membership of a number of international forums, declaring its intent to catch up with the rest of the developing world.

Now, through its shared history with Indonesia, the world's second-youngest nation is eyeing full ASEAN membership, as it seeks to identify with a region poised to become "the powerhouse of the 21st century", Timor Leste's deputy foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares, told The Jakarta Post.

"Timor Leste [...] has manifested its desire to be part of ASEAN since the very beginning of our inception in 2002. And that desire, the commitment of Timor Leste, has always been raised in numerous meetings, forums in the region and beyond, and at the bilateral level," he said.

Timor Leste officially submitted its application letter to be considered an ASEAN member in 2011, during Indonesia's chairmanship.

"Our application was overwhelmingly welcomed and supported by Indonesia, and of course, through the Indonesian chairmanship, then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono successfully secured all the endorsements and acceptances from all ASEAN member countries to officially endorse Timor Leste's membership, by establishing two important mechanisms to assess [our] readiness."

Soares said the mechanisms were the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the technical or working level, which were mandated to assess Timor Leste's readiness covering all three important pillars: the political and security, the economic and the sociocultural pillars.

"All three pillars [have undergone] assessment, [...] so now we are basically waiting for the ASEAN side [...] to make a final decision about our accession," he said.

With regard to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's commitment, Soares said Timor Leste was very much grateful.

"Indeed, during his visit to Timor Leste, [the President] continued to reiterate the strong commitment of Indonesia and he will do whatever he can in his capacity [...] to push for our accession to ASEAN."

"ASEAN very much lies on Timor Leste's foreign policy priority; our desire to be part of ASEAN is indeed to further [...] safeguard our own regional identity, because we are one of the only countries in Southeast Asia that does not yet belong to any regional organization."

Soares credited ASEAN as a unique and dynamic regional organization. "At the time when ASEAN established itself, it was mainly focused on political peace and stability. But a few decades later, ASEAN expanded on its concentration by looking beyond political stability, into what is the most important [aspect] in our globalized world today: economic integration and competitiveness," he said.

"Being part of ASEAN will further safeguard Timor Leste's own independence and sovereignty, and of course, peace and stability in our region."

On the other hand, Soares said Timor Leste could also be a bridge between ASEAN and the Pacific. "At the same time, Timor Leste can also contribute beyond Asia Pacific through [its] own linkages and partners," he emphasized.

Soares pointed to the fact that Timor Leste could connect ASEAN with the community of Portuguese speaking countries, the CPLP, which are located in Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/26/timor-leste-looks-to-benefit-from-asean-membership.html

Timor Leste to join ASEAN in 2017

Antara News - May 25, 2016

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste will become a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017, the Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN, Rahmat Pramono, said here on Tuesday.

"In 2011, when Indonesia was the head of the ASEAN, Timor Leste submitted an application to join ASEAN. The ASEAN member countries agreed to conduct a feasibility study of the new country," the ambassador said.

The feasibility study highlighted three pillars to evaluate the qualifications of Timor Leste to become a member of ASEAN. The three pillars are politics and security, economy and socio-culture.

"The politics, security and economy studies have been assessed, while the socio-cultural assessment is expected to be completed by the end of this year," Ambassador Rahmat noted. In addition, Timor Leste must undertake development of its human resources, in order to boost the economy of the country, he added.

"However, Timor Leste does not need to wait to complete development of its human resources to become a member of ASEAN. This can be done after Timor Leste has joined the big family of the ASEAN," Ambassador Rahmat said.

He added that in the near future, all representatives of ASEAN countries will meet to discuss Timor Leste's joining the regional organization. Rahmat added that if approved, Timor Leste will become the eleventh member country of ASEAN.

Currently, ASEAN has ten members countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Source: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/104864/timor-leste-to-join-asean-in-2017

East Timor optimistic on border talks despite slow progress

Jakarta Post - May 24, 2016

Tama Salim and Anggi M. Lubis, Dili/Jakarta – Timor Leste remains upbeat about negotiations on outstanding border issues with Indonesia, as the two governments continue to build on previous commitments to expedite the process.

With 98 percent of the land border already agreed upon, officials from both countries are still looking to resolve disputes about the remaining segments, having previously hit a snag in providing assurances for the population living on and around the border.

But now both countries are "very close" to a consensus on the remaining border areas, a senior official from Dili said, as the two governments seek out lasting solutions for those who are likely to be affected by the border negotiations.

"There is goodwill on both sides to conclude the negotiations but also a responsibility to properly address the concerns of the communities living in the final 2 percent to be determined," Timor Leste's Minister of State, Agio Pereira, stated on Monday in response to questions from The Jakarta Post.

Pereira, who is also president of Timor Leste's Council of Ministers, said that progress was made despite the apparent lull and that negotiating teams from both countries continued to meet, calling the efforts a good precursor to the maritime border negotiations that are still in their early stages.

Even so, Pereira made no excuse for the slow pace of negotiating borders with other countries.

"Border delimitation is essentially a technical process that takes time and is carried out with a heavy sense of responsibility," the senior minister said. "Also there is a human element, because drawing the line can impact villages, families and their livelihoods."

The current negotiations with Dili, although considered relatively swift compared to border disputes with other neighboring countries, have been mired in inefficiency and sluggish progress.

Indonesia and Timor Leste have been negotiating their border since 2002, soon after the latter formalized its independence from Indonesia following a UN-supervised referendum held in 1999.

Both countries have agreed on more than 900 coordinates as land border points save for two areas, the Noel Besi-Citrana and Bijael Sunan-Oben segments.

During his official visit to Dili at the end of January, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that negotiations regarding the two areas would conclude by the second quarter of 2016.

Additionally, no maritime border areas have been finalized between the two countries. A senior diplomat in border disputes, Eddy Pratomo, recently said that negotiations concerning the two countries' maritime boundaries would have to wait until all land border disputes had been settled.

This delay can be attributed partly to poor coordination between the parties involved, with Indonesia's Home Ministry spearheading the land border initiatives and the Foreign Ministry responsible for the maritime boundaries.

To further complicate matters, Indonesia's negotiation team for Timor Leste has been in flux, with lead negotiator Octavino Alimudin leaving his post to become Indonesia's ambassador to Iran.

Indonesia's Ambassador to Timor Leste Primanto Hendrasmoro said there would soon be a meeting of the Joint Border Committee, which would seek a new approach that would cater to the needs of those living in the border areas.

At the moment, there are nine points on the Indonesia-Timor Leste border where the local population can roam between the two countries, provided they hold cross-border passes (PLB), the Indonesian envoy explained.

The key to the remainder of the land border negotiation between Indonesia and Timor Leste will be how the governments of the two countries involve community leaders in reaching out to resisting populations, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) researcher Ganewati Wuryandari said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/24/east-timor-optimistic-border-talks-despite-slow-progress.html

How East Timor's democracy is making it an outcast

Foreign Policy - May 10, 2016

Cristian Talesco – Five years since submitting its formal membership application to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the small Pacific country of East Timor is more determined than ever to join.

It should be simple. According to ASEAN's 1967 Bangkok Declaration, the main condition for joining the economic and political alliance is that the applicant country must be geographically located in Southeast Asia. But the 2007 ASEAN Charter introduced new requirements – above all, the need to obtain consensus among the bloc's current member states. This is where East Timor is now running into problems.

Although East Timor's neighbor (and former enemy) Indonesia and some other ASEAN members are supporting its membership, skepticism is mounting in Singapore and Laos, whose governments say they are concerned that East Timor's low economic development will prevent it from fulfilling its membership obligations.

But this excuse strains credulity. When Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam joined ASEAN in the 1990s, their meager economic development also attracted criticism, but wasn't used as a reason to delay their admission. In addition, East Timor's ranking on the Human Development Index, a broader measure of development than economic growth, is higher than that of Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. In terms of income per capita, East Timor bests four current ASEAN members: Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam.

If East Timor's economic performance is not really why its membership is being delayed, Singapore and Laos must have other reasons. And indeed they do: these countries don't want to include East Timor because the tiny nation is an outspoken advocate of democracy and human rights.

Fourteen years after gaining independence, East Timor is a multi-party democracy. It has held two presidential and legislative elections and an independence referendum, all regarded free and fair by international observation missions. In 2002, East Timor established an Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice which has been highly esteemed by a U.N.-linked organization that accredits the world's national human rights institutions. The country has developed an active civil society that promotes human rights both at home and abroad. Furthermore, East Timor is a conscientious member of numerous regional human rights bodies, such as the National Human Rights Institutions Forum and the Asia Pacific Forum.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2015 Democracy Index ranks East Timor higher than all ASEAN members except Brunei (which is not ranked). Of the ASEAN members, three (Thailand, Cambodia, and Burma) are classified as "hybrid" regimes with both democratic and authoritarian features, whereas two (Vietnam and Laos) are rated as outright authoritarian.

Like most nations, East Timor's democratic system is not perfect: It holds a "partly free" ranking in Freedom House's latest Freedom in the World report. Yet its political achievements in just fourteen years of independence are striking. These alone deserve consideration, if not praise, from ASEAN and its member states.

Indeed, East Timor's democratic performance should be an advantage for its candidacy. The ASEAN Charter and other key documents tout the bloc's dedication to democracy and human rights. ASEAN even established its own human rights body, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, in 2009. In practice, however, East Timor's democracy hinders its eligibility for ASEAN membership, its credentials making it an outsider.

ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization, and as such it is based on consensus and respect for its members' sovereignty. That's why its beautiful words about democracy and human rights remain stymied by the Asian principle of non-interference. It is no accident that scholars and human rights experts regard its new human rights body as a "toothless" institution, since any of its pronouncements can be vetoed by any single ASEAN country. This was precisely the intention: to create a showpiece for human rights that would be incapable of meaningfully interfering in any member states' domestic affairs.

Thus far, East Timor's politicians don't quite seem to realize this, often showcasing their country's democratic credentials as an asset. They fail to grasp that many ASEAN member states' outward acceptance of democracy and human rights is purely for show. On several occasions, Jose Ramos-Horta, East Timor's former president, has been openly critical of human rights abuses in Burma. In 2015, together with other Nobel Laureates, he described what was happening to the Rohingya minority there as "nothing less than genocide." During the 2014 Bali Democracy Forum, another former president, Xanana Gusmao, said that ASEAN countries "must search for new ways of sustainable development... without losing sight of universal values, because... these values can ensure human dignity."

Meanwhile, the horrific treatment of Burma's Rohingya minority, the killing of hundreds of thousands of people in West Papua in Indonesia, the 2012 disappearance of Laotian activist Sombath Somphone, and the 2014 military coup in Thailand have produced a minimal response from ASEAN. Against this backdrop, it becomes clear why East Timor's democratic credentials are problematic. Any serious promotion of democracy and human rights within ASEAN could undermine the comfortable status quo of its less democratic members.

But in no case should East Timor jeopardize its international reputation by haggling over democracy and human rights. Instead, it should continue to champion these values while pursuing ASEAN membership in a more pragmatic way: completing all the membership requirements, taking on the responsibility of attending the many ASEAN meetings, and continuing its economic development. If these targets are met, it will be all the more difficult for ASEAN member states to keep delaying East Timor's membership, no matter how democratic it may be.

ASEAN, too, should reconsider its stance. What those opposing East Timor's membership are failing to understand is that admitting it would be in their interest, particularly from the point of view of security. East Timor's snubbing by ASEAN, along with its strained relationship with Australia, is increasingly turning the country towards China, which has its own interests in the region (including its dispute with ASEAN members in the South China Sea). Leaving East Timor alone increases its vulnerability to this Chinese influence and provides evidence that ASEAN is not prepared to effectively meet the region's challenges.

East Timor's political credentials are an asset to ASEAN member states if they really intend to commit to the organization's stated principles. Its global reputation and its peaceful reconciliation with Indonesia (after 24 years of conflict) are further indications that the country will be an honest and valuable partner. East Timor is a prospective member ASEAN cannot afford to lose.

Source: http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/10/how-east-timors-democracy-is-making-it-an-outcast-asean-southeast-asia/

Economy & investment

Indonesia, Timor Leste agree cooperation in human resource development

Jakarta Post - May 5, 2016

Anton Hermansyah – Indonesia and Timor Leste have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in developing human resources for the industrial sector in the two countries.

The agreement is part of the 2013-2017 human resources partnership contract worth US$6 million between Indonesia and Timor Leste. Some programs already started are human resources development in the field of wedding organizing, food processing and handcrafts.

"From 2011 to 2016, our industrial development agencies have provided 15 human resource capacity building training sessions. We hope this MoU will push for more industrial development programs in both countries," Industry Minister Saleh Husin said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Following the MoU signing, Indonesia and Timor Leste will set up technical committees and hold a survey to identify the needs for the programs.

"We will further evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the program," the ministry's director general for international industry access development, Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono, said on Wednesday.

Timor Leste's main commodity is oil and as such its economy has suffered from the global decline in oil prices, thus it is currently looking for more sustainable development models. The non-oil economy is now at the beginning stage in the country.

"We have launched our sustainable development plan and it means there will be economic diversification. Timor Leste is currently at the early stage of an industrial country and human resources are the prerequisite for that," Timor Leste's Trade, Industry and Environment Minister Constancio da Conceicao Pinto said.

The minister further said industrial reform was important because currently, Timor Leste was applying to join ASEAN. The Indonesian government was ready to give its support for Timor Leste's ASEAN membership but some concerns, including the country's economic development must be first resolved.

"We need to make sure our country can compete to attract investors and carry out reforms needed to speed up our ASEAN membership approval and I want to thank the Indonesian government for its support for our membership," Pinto said. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/05/indonesia-timor-leste-agree-cooperation-in-human-resource-development.html

Invasion & occupation

Reuniting Timor Leste children stolen by Indonesia

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2016

Galuh Wandita, Jakarta – "See this scar? I did that!" Peals of laughter and bright smiles erupt as Rosa's brother touches her forehead gently, brushing an almost invisible scar. He reaches for her earlobe, "Our mother made that earring hole in her ear; she cried."

Rosa is surrounded by two siblings, her older sister and brother who are both in their 50s. They cannot stop holding her, caressing her cheeks and hair, after 38 years of separation. Across the room, 10 other families are each inside a cocoon of love.

In 1978, during the height of the war in Timor Leste, Rosa and another sister were separated from their family. The two lost girls found their way to Aileu, a little town nestled in a fertile valley about two hours away from their village in Railaco.

A soldier found them and said he would take the smaller girl. Rosa's sister tried to stop him, but Rosa was taken to a military camp. After two nights there, she boarded a military truck to Dili, then a ship to Makassar. The promise of an education was never met. She ran away from the family that took her in numerous times, but was taken back. She worked hard on their farm. Now she is married with four children. "I cannot talk about my suffering then," she said.

Last week, Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), a Jakarta-based NGO, working together with civil society and human rights institutions from the two countries, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and Provedoria Dos Direitos Humanos e Justica (PDHJ), brought a group of 11 "stolen children" together. Eight men and three women now living in Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Jakarta took part in this visit.

This is the third time such reunions have been organized. A total of 30 have been reunited with their families since 2013. Out of these 30, some were taken at the age of 5 and others in their early teens. They have not had any contact with their families for 20 to 40 years.

Timor Leste's truth commission (CAVR), which operated from 2002 to 2005, estimated that some 4,000 children were taken from their families and sent to Indonesia during the occupation.

The transfer of children was a practice sanctioned by the military and civilian authorities, involving individuals and later on military and religious institutions that facilitated this process.

The CAVR made this finding: "The struggle for control of Timor Leste was partly played out in the battle for its children. Children became victims, perpetrators, assistants and observers in the political conflicts that engulfed Timor Leste from 1974.

"The obligation of all parties to put the best interests of children first was widely ignored." The CAVR also made strong recommendations on finding and reuniting children separated during the conflict.

With the passing of time, these children became adults. Many have adapted to the culture, language and religion of the places they found themselves in.

Although bearing new names, they still remember their East Timorese identities, scraps of memories from their childhood: a mountain view, the name of their village, the name of their parents, a lullaby. In Indonesia, few were lucky enough to be cared for by loving families, raised and educated as Indonesians.

However, many of these children were vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and neglect. The majority did not have the opportunity to go to school and had to work hard to survive on their own. Most importantly, some of them were not orphans and continued to be sought by their family members.

A total of 30 have been reunited with their families since 2013. Out of these 30, some were taken at the age of 5 and others in their early teens. They have not had any contact with their families for 20 to 40 years.

The Commission for Truth and Friendship of Indonesia and Timor Leste (CTF), established by the two governments and run from 2005 to 2008, also made a recommendation on the issue of the separated children.

Since the submission of the CTF report to the two presidents in 2008, negotiations have continued over how to implement the recommendations.

In July 2009, Timor Leste submitted a short proposal to Indonesia to consider the establishment of a subworking group related to the issue of missing persons, including separated children, but Indonesia continues to be a reluctant party.

In October 2011, the Indonesian government issued a presidential decree for the implementation of the CTF recommendations. However, many years later there has been little progress in this area on the part of the two governments.

The "stolen children" of Timor Leste are not the only pressing issue for Indonesia to deal with that comes from its violent past. However, it is one that in the short term can bring joy to everyone involved in this effort.

The longing of these stolen children to be reunited with their families and vice versa is a universal story that reverberates in all of us.

The Indonesian government should take concrete steps to facilitate these reunions, working closely with civil societies, Komnas HAM and others who have been working hard to bring about this breakthrough. In our decades-long struggle to deal with the legacy of gross human rights violations, here is an opportunity to provide redress to victims who were only children at the time of the violation.

An official truth-seeking process can help us understand the magnitude of the violations that took place during the New Order. If we do so, we can feel proud that we, as a nation, are strong enough to right a wrong from our past.

[The writer is director of Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), and a co-convener of Indonesia's Coalition of Truth and Justice (KKPK).]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2016/05/26/reuniting-timor-leste-children-stolen-by-indonesia.html

'Stolen children' revisit tragic past

Jakarta Post - May 25, 2016

Tama Salim, Dili – "I want to hug and kiss my mother," said Muhammad Yaqub, born Manuel da Costa, shortly before traveling home to Timor Leste after 25 years of living in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

One week later he has managed to do just that and a whole lot more, spending time with some of his long-lost relatives in Ossu village in Timor Leste's Viqueque district. Yaqub also went on a 10-kilometer hike to hills in the village where he used to tend the buffalo and grow vegetables.

He then visited his father's grave and contemplated at the site where an Indonesian Military (TNI) soldier shot his old man dead some 40 years ago on a hillside just a short hike away from where his family now lives.

But as the time came for him to return to Balikpapan, the 39-year-old soon realized that he had to deal with the reality that members of his family in Timor Leste could not permanently be part of his life.

"There's no way I can afford to take care of them. My relatives want to see my wife and my children, but it all comes down to the [financial] situation; the costs are very high, [...] and it wouldn't be fair for me to bring one child and not bring the others," he said.

Yaqub is married with nine children. He was taken in the early 1990s by a TNI soldier soon after his father's death to Kalimantan, where he eventually settled down as a small business owner.

Mubarok Wotu Modo, 39, has led a more fortunate life away from his homeland. As an orphan, he was taken to Indonesia in 1990 at the age of 13 by soldiers of Battalion 726. Both his parents died of famine and disease during the early years of the Indonesian occupation of Timor Leste, then considered Indonesia's 27th province and known as East Timor.

Mubarok was taken to Makassar along with 39 other children, where he was eventually adopted by a local doctor, who allowed him to complete his education in the Muhammadiyah school system. Previously known as Ernani Monteiro, Mubarok returned to visit his relatives in Ossu, but had no intention of staying.

"I won't make a rushed decision on this. In Indonesia, I am financially able to provide for my wife and myself. But I'd be a fool to move [to Timor Leste] now," Mubarok said, adding that he certainly would not have the means to start a new life in the former Indonesian territory.

"Personally, I see Timor Leste and Indonesia as parents; both have to be dealt with equal respect. I can't just leave one for the other."

Yaqub and Mubarok are just two of 11 individuals who have mixed feelings about being reunited with their families after decades of being separated by politics. They are part of Timor Leste's generation of "stolen children," who were forcibly taken away from their families during the Indonesian occupation of then-East Timor.

The 25-year occupation of East Timor by Indonesia ended with a referendum in 1999, when an overwhelming majority of people in the province voted for independence.

During the occupation, many Timorese children were adopted by Indonesian orphanages or members of the military and most of them were taken away from their families without consent. It is widely believed that the New Order government of Soeharto had used the children as propaganda to justify support for East Timor's integration into Indonesia.

Fourteen years since Timor Leste's independence, many of these stolen children are now adults who have settled in Indonesia without any contact with their families. Many have new names, and have adopted the culture, language and religion of their new homes.

Many were told their parents had died, only to find out later that some of their relatives were still alive while others were taken at an early age and later found out that they were adopted.

Yaqub and Mubarok's homecoming is part of a people-to-people initiative arranged by a number of NGOs, with the aim of dealing with the legacy of gross human rights violations in Timor Leste.

This year is the second attempt at the project, bringing together participants from Jakarta, Sulawesi and Kalimantan. Last year, the program returned 15 "stolen children" to their families.

Jose Luis de Oliveira, a representative of the Timor Leste branch of the Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) civil society group, one of the event's main facilitators, said participants in the program had the final decision on whether they would return to their families.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/25/stolen-children-revisit-tragic-past.html

Displaced Timorese in Indonesia reunited with families

Jakarta Post - May 20, 2016

Nelson Da Cruz, Dili, Timor Leste – Timor Leste President Taur Matan Ruak says the return of 14 Timorese people who were removed to Indonesia during the former country's war of independence marks the improving relations between the two countries since their separation in 2002.

"I was especially pleased to learn about the progress made in the identification of persons displaced to Indonesia during the war," Taur said, referring to the joint efforts of the two countries in resolving the issue. Timorese, who had been missing for years, were now finally able to return and visit their families, he added.

The process of identification and the subsequent reunion with their families marks the beginning of the implementation of a recommendation by the Commission of Truth and Reconciliation (KKP), by both Indonesia and Timor Leste, Taur further said.

Fourteen Timorese-born people, consisting of 11 men and three women, were separated from their families and displaced to Indonesia during the conflict between 1974 and 1999, according to data from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

Intensified efforts began in October 2011 when Indonesia issued a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) that became the mandate for the implementation of the KKP recommendation.

Progress came as a result of cooperation between Komnas HAM and its Timorese counterpart commission, the Provedoria Dos Direitos Humanos e Justica (PDHJ).

Other Indonesia-based organizations also participated in the process, namely Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and the Families of Missing Persons Association (IKOHI).

"This cooperation is a reflection of President Joko Widodo's administration and our government's policies and deserves to be highlighted and praised," said Timorese President Taur.

As Timor-Leste marks its 14th anniversary of independence on May 20, Taur said ongoing peace and reconciliation processes with Indonesia continued to forge friendly relations between the two neighboring countries. (liz/dan)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/20/displaced-timorese-in-indonesia-reunited-with-families.html

Analysis & opinion

Timor-Leste's dangerous political union

The Diplomat - May 24, 2016

Geoffrey Swenson – In Timor-Leste, a peaceful transition of power is ironically threatening to undermine democracy. The small half-island has been a rare post-conflict state-building success story since achieving independence in 2002 and become a model for UN-led state-building. While there have been notable bouts of instability, its advances toward democracy and the rule of law have been remarkable given the country's staggering political, economic, and social changes. These gains occurred in an environment where the major political parties, the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) party, and the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), were often fiercely, and occasionally violently, opposed to each other. Yet, with little fanfare, Timor-Leste has changed dramatically over the last two years. Political cooperation between parties rather than conflict now threatens to unravel Timor-Leste's admirable progress.

An unlikely alliance

A popular, sitting prime minister stepping down voluntarily would be a landmark development anywhere. In Timor-Leste, Asia's smallest and newest nation, with a history of political instability, the decision was monumental. In February 2015, Xanana Gusmao left the premiership. Gusmao, a hero of the independence movement and the leader of the largest parliamentary party, the CNRT, had served as prime minister since 2007. Timor-Leste has both an elected president and separate unicameral national assembly from which the prime minister is selected. However, as the Constitution heavily circumscribes the president's authority, the real power lies with the prime minister and the cabinet.

Even more strikingly, at Gusmao's behest, Rui de Araujo, a well-respected technocrat from the opposition Fretilin party, became prime minister of a unity government between CNRT, Fretilin, and the two other parties in parliament. The new government promised "to converge ideas, policies, actions, and priorities around the common cause of consolidating and developing Timor-Leste." Unfortunately, while convergence seemingly promises stability, it risks undermining Timor-Leste's hard won democratic gains.

There is a common bond between the two major parties. Fretilin and the CNRT share deep roots in the independence struggle. Fretilin was the party that declared independence in 1975 from Portugal, Timor-Leste's longtime colonial overseer, and it initially lead the struggle against Indonesia's brutal 25 year occupation. Gusmao emerged as the independence movement's most prominent leader from the mid-1980s onward.

Yet, examined more closely, the creation of a unity government was a bizarre turn of events. Fretilin's longtime secretary general minister and first prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, and Gusmao had been bitter rivals for decades. Timor-Leste politics had been highly contentious since independence. During the 2006 political crisis, clashes linked to major political figures resulted in 36 deaths, the displacement of 150,000 people, and the destruction of over 1,600 homes. International peacekeeping forces returned to restore order and stayed through 2012. While tensions never reached violence again, the intense rivalry between Alkatiri and Gusmao remained the defining feature of Timorese politics through the 2012 election. Then last year in a major U-turn, they started working together.

Even here, however, the transition of power is illusion rather than reality. Gusmao became the powerful minister of planning and strategic investment, a post he created, and which controls vast sums of capital. He even determined the composition of Araujo's cabinet. While today Gusmao lacks the prime minister's formal powers, he is widely seen as retaining ultimate authority, albeit behind the scenes and without formal accountability.

Unexpected progress

Despite the rocky road, Timor-Leste is no basket case. Timorese politics have been notable for their vibrant political competition, not bloodshed. Timor-Leste has had three sets of highly competitive elections since 2002 that have been universally recognized as free and fair. Fretilin won the first parliamentary elections, while Gusmao was elected president. Tensions were high in the wake of the 2006 crisis, yet presidential and parliamentary elections were held in 2007. In the parliamentary poll, Fretilin, again, secured the largest percentage of seats though it fell short of a majority. Despite Fretilin's strenuous objections, Gusmao formed a coalition government in alliance with smaller parties. All major political parties eventually accepted the results. The 2007 elections marked Timor-Leste's first peaceful transfer of power. Movement toward democratic consolidation continued with the 2012 national elections, which were overseen by domestic election bodies without significant external support. Gusmao returned to office, but a coalition was required. Fretilin again formed a strong, vocal opposition; that is, until it joined the government.

Regular elections were a big step forward. As no one party could fully claim the mantle of independence, space existed for vibrant competition. There has been no overwhelmingly dominant independence party such as the African National Congress in South Africa, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front in Zimbabwe, or the Congress party in India. There has been a peaceful change of power in both the parliament and the presidency, and two distinct governing coalitions with the opposition increasingly eschewing violence and respecting poll results. Timor-Leste's success is in part rooted in the fact all the major political parties have meaningful links to the independence struggle. The existence of multiple, credible political parties have helped lay the foundations for multi-party democracy because no one group has sole claim to the independence struggle's legacy. Meaningful competition between political parties plays a vital role in establishing, consolidating, and sustaining democracy. They offer an institutionalized mechanism for accountable governance as well as the representation and mobilization of diverse societal interests.

A radical new political landscape

While the political party system has the potential to promote accountability, there is now a lack of robust parliamentary scrutiny at a crucial time even with the recent departure of one small party from the coalition. There has been increasing state hostility toward NGOs and very significant concerns have been raised about a restrictive media law. These restrictions are not merely abstract. The government is currently pursing defamation charges against two prominent journalists, which is a public crime under the penal code. Timor-Leste's economy is overwhelmingly dependent on a limited set of oil reserves under state control and this has sparked allegations of corruption in Gusmao's previous governments. This dependence has been further challenged by the low price of oil. At the same time, as Timor-Leste's oil revenues increased, successive governments faced ever-growing allegations that corruption had increased substantially, while dissent is viewed more skeptically. Even the president, Taur Matan Ruak himself, a hero of the independence struggle, has raised complaints that the families of Gusmao and Alkatari have unfairly benefited from lucrative state contracts. Fretilin, which was previously a strong critic of perceived government corruption, has unsurprisingly fallen silent.

Yet presidential power is heavily circumscribed under the constitution. The coalition government has a firm grasp on parliament. The president has even found himself the target of growing calls for impeachment, albeit on an ostensibly unrelated matter. After tensions flared a compromise candidate was approved on April 15, 2016, but the major structural disagreements between the government and the president remain. Indeed, the prevalence of impeachment chatter cannot be separated from an overt hostility toward criticism of the governing regime. Fretilin party president, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Gueterres, recently took to national television to chide Ruak for criticizing Gusmao and Alkatiri and ominously raised the prospect of "instability" if it continued.

The two major parties have entered an era of unprecedented cooperation, but dangers to democracy abound. Messy vibrant political competition is essential for entrenching representative government. While political unity sounds ideal, it can be a mortal threat to democracy. The danger is particularly grave where the institutions of representative government are still being consolidated and the political class is insular enough to construct an exclusive governing clique. At the very least, voters deserve a real choice.

International actors have played a constructive role in supporting Timor-Leste's nascent democracy. Elections are overwhelming a domestic matter but the UN and states such as Australia and the United States, and particularly neighboring Indonesia, must stand firmly in favor of press freedom, open civil society, and vibrant election competition during the 2017 elections and beyond. Otherwise, the international community risks seeing Timor-Leste's success unravel and a success story become another cautionary tale.

[Geoffrey Swenson is a Senior Researcher with the Rule of Law Program at the Hague Institute for Global Justice. He lived in Timor-Leste from 2010 to 2012.]

Source: http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/timor-lestes-dangerous-political-union/

We know East Timor is poor. But this poor?

Currier Mail - May 14, 2016

Kathleen Noonan – In a waterfront restaurant on a still-warm autumn night near the Brisbane River, it seems almost ridiculous to be hearing about something as appalling as this.

The woman standing in the middle of the room has been asked about the education of girls in her beloved country and she says, matter-of-factly, most finish school when they start menstruating.

What? Is it a cultural thing? someone asks. No, she says. In the whole country, there are few schools that have toilets with running water, so it is nearly impossible for girls to manage. You get your period, your education ends.

Are we talking about rural China? Or North Korea? Is this place thousands of kilometres from Australia, some land back in time? No, as the crow flies, it's close, just 500km across the Timor Sea to East Timor, our youngest neighbour.

Kirsty Sword Gusmao is a quiet listener, but when she speaks it is with gentle steel that is hard to ignore. You don't survive years as the first First Lady of East Timor – from 2002 until 2007 – without grit.

Those listening in the room – brought together by Women of the World Festival organiser Cathy Hunt – bristle at this talk of school cut short. They think of their daughters, themselves. Imagine that. And why? Because they are the planet's life-givers. No wonder it is called "the curse".

"Very few schools have libraries and those that do have few books," Hunt says. This strikes at a booklover in me. This sounds criminal. Sure, we know East Timor is poor. But this poor?

Ms Sword now lives in Melbourne with her three sons, since undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2012 and separation from her husband, the nation's former president and prime minister, Xanana Gusmao.

But ties remain strong. She oversees and supports the Alola Foundation, which runs vital mother and baby-feeding programs, literacy programs, teacher training, mobile libraries and maternal and child health projects in East Timor.

Alola's motto is "Feto Forte, Nasaun Forte" (Strong Women, Strong Nation). It is small yet grassroots and effective and needs support. You'd be stunned to learn how far your donation can be stretched in a country as poor as East Timor.

So, what happens when a country fails to educate its girls? It's pretty startling. Not educating girls is dumb – for a country. World Bank studies show that one extra year of secondary school can increase a girl's future income by 15-25 per cent. When girls are educated they are less likely to contract HIV, more likely to control child-bearing and vaccinate their children and have lower maternal and infant mortality rates. And it shows that sending more girls to school – and keeping them there – can boost an entire country's GDP.

Ms Sword, former aid worker and human rights activist, says maternal and child mortality rates in East Timor are among the highest in the South-East Asia region. Half of children under five are malnourished. Strangely, it doesn't have to be this way. The tiny island nation sits in the oil-rich Timor Sea, with massive oil and gas reserves off the coast.

Many Australians might be surprised to learn that we don't have a permanent maritime border with East Timor. The Greater Sunrise oil and gas fields – managed by Woodside Petroleum yet untapped – are worth $40 billion-$50 billion and the treaty would map out how it would be divided. The fields are 150km southeast of Timor and 450km northwest of Darwin. East Timor is one of the poorest nations in the region; Australia is its richest neighbour. Are you seeing how this shapes up?

East Timor has called in the United Nations to help resolve the bitter permanent sea border dispute, under the UN's Convention of the Law of the Sea, where the merits of a new boundary will be considered by a panel of five independent experts.

East Timor believes a permanent boundary would result in the vast bulk of oil and gas reserves falling within its territory. (Also claiming $6.6 billion in revenue lost due to the current temporary arrangements.) Australia's disputes this, yet won't sit down to settle it. Temporary agreements were forged in 2002 and 2006, but East Timor sees them – unsurprisingly – as unfair because Australia allegedly spied on its negotiators in 2004. Secret agents allegedly pretended to be repairing East Timor's government offices and inserted listening devices into the wall cavity of the Dili cabinet office where its negotiating team met.

Alexander Downer, who on leaving politics became an adviser for Woodside, was the authorising minister for the alleged bugging. Australia's conduct earned it a rare rebuke from the International Court of Justice. So, you see, we haven't exactly covered ourselves in glory on the issue. Back in 2014, The Australian covered the story as "How Canberra and Woodside 'bugged' Timor PM to strip fledgling nation of oil billions".

On this night, where we sit riverside – all shiny glass and good wine and premium view – the poverty of East Timor seems a long way away. Yet, if you followed the outgoing tide to Moreton Bay, headed north, turned left at land's tip and kept sailing, you'd be close to the deep turbulent waters that Australia and Timor presently are treading.

It's all about greed and oil and gas. As Timor struggles with deep poverty and its uneducated vulnerable girls – for lack of a toilet with running water – our Australian government plays hardball. It diminishes us all.

I walk out into the soft night and pause at a spot on the river called Humbug Reach. (Humbug's such a strange little word. Kind of a nice way of saying deceive, trick, mislead, hoodwink, dupe and cheat.)

[To donate to the Alola Foundation, go to www.alolafoundation.org.]

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-we-know-east-timor-is-poor-but-this-poor/news-story/c873db4d529f2266b87e5281dac2f66a?nk=205e7a2fb7d96457340137c33dd66778-1463273905