Truth commission set for traumatized East Timor<\/p>\n
Dean Yates, Reuters, Jakarta<\/p>\n
East Timor will formally open a truth and reconciliation
\ncommission next week in a major step toward shedding light on
\nwidespread human rights abuses committed during Indonesia's
\nbrutal rule over the territory.<\/p>\n
Similar in principle to the South African Truth and
\nReconciliation Commission that probed apartheid-era crimes,
\nofficials said the East Timor body was vital to helping Timorese
\ntraumatized by the past deal with their suffering.<\/p>\n
Officials said seven Timorese national commissioners were
\nscheduled to be sworn in on Monday to mark the official opening
\nof the body, although hearings would not start immediately.<\/p>\n
\"Many Timorese want answers from those who caused their loss
\nand suffering,\" Xanana Gusmao, East Timor's independence hero and
\nthe man expected to become the territory's first president, said
\nin remarks carried in commission documents obtained by Reuters.<\/p>\n
\"With answers, people can start the healing process and close
\nthe horrible chapter in their lives.\"<\/p>\n
The establishment of the Commission for Reception, Truth and
\nReconciliation in East Timor comes as Jakarta moves closer to
\nputting 19 suspects, including three generals, on trial over
\nalleged major human rights abuses in East Timor linked to the
\nterritory's vote for independence in 1999.<\/p>\n
The vote prompted pro-Jakarta militias, with support from the
\nIndonesian army, to go on a rampage in which the UN estimates
\nmore than 1,000 people were killed.<\/p>\n
East Timor, currently administered by the United Nations, will
\nbecome formally independent on May 20.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's 1975 invasion and subsequent 24-year occupation of
\nthe former Portuguese territory left more than 200,000 people --
\na quarter of the population -- dead from fighting, famine and
\ndisease. The United Nations never recognized Jakarta's rule.<\/p>\n
The commission, being set up by the UN administration with
\nwidespread support from Timorese political leaders, will operate
\nfor two years. It can extend for a further six months if needed.<\/p>\n
It has no judicial function but has strong powers to probe
\nabuses, and any evidence of serious crimes will be referred to
\nTimorese courts.<\/p>\n
Evidence can also potentially be used in Indonesia or by the
\ninternational community to prosecute people, the documents said.<\/p>\n
The commission documents said the truth would be sought
\nespecially about events leading up to and in the months just
\nafter the independence ballot; the period before and after the
\nIndonesian invasion in December 1975; and the overall impact of
\nJakarta's presence.<\/p>\n
\"Through its truth-seeking function, the commission will lend
\nan official ear to people's stories,\" Pat Walsh, commission
\nproject coordinator, told Reuters by telephone from the East
\nTimor capital Dili.<\/p>\n
The commission will also look at reconciliation within
\ncommunities, allowing people who carried out lesser crimes such
\nas theft, minor assault or killing livestock to admit wrongdoing
\nand make amends.<\/p>\n
The word \"reception\" in the commission title refers to a role
\noffering Timorese who fled to West Timor after the independence
\nvote an orderly way of being received back into their
\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has been under strong pressure from foreign donors
\nover its own delayed trials of those accused of rights abuses in
\nEast Timor in 1999. Officials have said a special court should
\nconvene this month, although a date has not yet been set.<\/p>",
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