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Timor Leste should release truth commission report without delay

Human Rights First - December 12, 2005

In an open letter to East Timorese President Josi Alexandre Gusmco, Human Rights First congratulated the Timorese leadership and called for the prompt release of the full report of that country's truth commission.

Over the last three years, the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (Comissao de Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliacao de Timor-Leste, or CAVR) collected thousands of statements, held unprecedented public hearings, prepared detailed statistical analyses, and implemented village-level reconciliation efforts. The Commission submitted the 2500-page report to President Gusmco on October 31, covering human rights violations from 1974 through 1999.

On November 28, President Gusmco officially handed the report over to parliament. However, he did not release the report to the public as expected. The letter from Human Rights First urges "that the report is made widely available to the Timorese public and the international community as soon as possible."

In his speech, President Gusmco acknowledged the hard work of the commissioners, but worried they went "beyond conventional political boundaries." In its letter, Human Rights First responded, "The Commission is not a political body, and the commissioners arrived at recommendations based on the facts uncovered and the aspirations they heard from the people of Timor-Leste. There may still be a need for political debate on how to proceed, but the first step must be to release the report and its recommendations."

The Timorese government has expressed the need for good relations with Indonesia, which occupied East Timor for the period covered in the report.

In its letter Human Rights First argued that "a true accounting of the facts and a genuine search for accountability is in the interests of both nations. Such measures will support democratic development in Indonesia, a country still grappling with its responsibility for human rights violations in East Timor and within its own borders."

HRF letter:

December 9, 2005

The Honorable Josi Alexandre Gusmco

President, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Dear President Gusmco,

We would like to congratulate the government of Timor-Leste and the commissioners on the completion of the report of the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (Comissao de Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliacao de Timor-Leste, or CAVR). Over the last three years, the CAVR collected thousands of statements, held unprecedented public hearings, prepared detailed statistical analyses, and implemented local reconciliation efforts. The report is an important achievement with much potential to benefit Timor-Leste and the international community. The Timorese government deserves credit for its work to create and support this ambitious project.

However, we were concerned over the decision not to release the report publicly and promptly on the occasion of its hand-over to parliament on November 28, 2005. The release of the report is an essential element of the CAVR's work, as it honors the bravery of all those who came forward to tell their stories.

We understand that copies of the report are currently being prepared for limited dissemination and that the document may be posted online shortly. We hope these reports are accurate and urge that the report is made widely available to the Timorese public and the international community as soon as possible.

Your speech to Parliament on November 28 acknowledged the hard work of the commissioners, but also observed that their recommendations went "beyond conventional political boundaries." But the Commission is not a political body, and the commissioners arrived at recommendations based on the facts uncovered and the aspirations they heard from the people of Timor-Leste. There may still be a need for political debate on how to proceed, but the first step must be to release the report and its recommendations.

We also understand that Timor Leste must consider diplomatic relations with its former occupier and current neighbor, Indonesia. However, we strongly believe that a true accounting of the facts and a genuine search for accountability is in the interests of both nations. Such measures will support democratic development in Indonesia, a country still grappling with its responsibility for human rights violations in East Timor and within its own borders.

Once again, congratulations on this important achievement, and thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Neil Hicks

Director, International Programs

cc: The Honorable Francisco Gutteres (Lu Olu), President of the National Parliament

The Honorable Mari Alkatiri, Prime Minister
 

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