IOM, UNHCR help refugees' return

IOM, UNHCR help refugees' return

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The International Organization for
Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) are working together to assist East Timorese
wanting to return to East Timor.

Olandina Caeiro from the Advocate and Reconciliation
Commission said on Tuesday that IOM and UNHCR would provide
transportation for all East Timorese wishing to return.

He called on East Timorese in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to
start registering with a local refugee task force if they wanted
to go back to East Timor.

IOM and UNHCR would also cooperate with the governments of
Indonesia and East Timor to ensure the safety of refugees on
their way back home.

At least 250,000 East Timorese were forced into West Timor in
1999 after violence erupted when they voted overwhelmingly for
independence. Dozens of military and police officers have been
formally charged in Jakarta and Dili as perpetrators in the
violence and forced expulsion.

Some 30,000 East Timorese are believed to be still in West
Timor. Their refugee status ended on Dec. 31, 2002. --Antara