Literacy | Health Education | Justice Issues

The Reception, Truth and Reconciliation Report commissioned by the Government of Timor-Leste and presented to the UN early in 2006 took 8,000 statements from people about the violence and oppression which took place between 1974 and 1999.  The Report contains a litany of crimes against humanity: mass executions, forced resettlements, torture, abuse of women and children, and a concerted policy of starvation, all of which resulted in the deaths of 186,000 people.

It is notable that no one in authority has been charged with any of these crimes.  We believe that the International community has the obligation to see that justice is done, not only out of respect for the Timorese and their dead, but to try to prevent future similar activities.  We believe we have the obligation to do whatever we can for the human rights of the West Papuan people, because we know and have seen with our own eyes what was done to the Timorese people by the same system, and in some cases, by the very same individuals.

As citizens of a nation which actively supported Indonesia throughout the period of its illegal occupation of East Timor, Australians have the duty to become familiar with this Report, and to be prepared to implement the recommendations.  There will be further news on this important topic in the weeks and months ahead. 

The UN Report is available at: http://www.cavr-timorleste.org 

Australian Launches of the Report on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation

The first Australian launch of Chega! (Enough!) the final report of the Reception, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CAVR) was held at Mary MacKillop Place North Sydney on Sunday, 12 November 2006, the fifteenth anniversary of the Dili Massacre. The launch was preceded by Mass in the Mary MacKillop Chapel, where white carnations bearing the names of the many Timorese dead were presented by loved ones. The Mass was concelebrated by Paul Glynn SM, Cyril Hally SSC and Frank Brennan SJ. Timorese music and dancing honoured those who died in the cause of freedom.

Chega! was launched by Justice John Dowd, QC AO, who spoke after addresses by Sr Aniceto Lopes, past Chair of the CAVR Commission, and His Excellency Sr Hernani Coelho da Silva, Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Australia. A lively forum followed the launch, where the comments of Mrs Isabel Guterres, a former CAVR Commissioner and Mr Pat Walsh, a Senior Adviser to the Commission were very well received.  

The crisis in Dili this year is a reminder that without justice and reconciliation, the past will continue to haunt the people of a new post-conflict nation such as Timor-Leste.

Chega! contains the most authoritative account so far of the recent sufferings of the East Timorese people, as well as recommendations for a more just and stable future.

The launches are also a timely opportunity to reflect on Australia’s role in the past and future of our new northern neighbour.

Compassionate Care

Mary MacKillop East Timor responds with compassion to the immediate needs of East Timorese people with whom its members come in contact. Around 40% of people live in income poverty, with less than $0.55 (US) per person per day. ("The Path Out of Poverty" UNDP 2006)

There are still many Timorese who have immediate need of basic assistance, e.g. for food. The destitute poor, including the people, are a large and important group within the Timorese population, and Mary MacKillop East Timor tries to assist where possible.

We have also been involved with the repair of schools in the face of quite dangerous situations, e.g. roofs collapsing as children sit in class. We have also cooperated with individuals and groups who have constructed school rooms and toilets, e.g at Raimerahei and Bedois.

We raise money to pay teachers. In some schools only half of the teachers are paid and these then share their pay with the others.

We have a small project of giving animals to communities or families to enhance their food prospects. We support the Maubara orphanage run by the Carmelite sisters, raising money for the orphans' upkeep and for the maintenance of the buildings.

The generosity of our donors enabled us to distribute over $A50,000.00 worth of food and other necessities in Timor during 2006. We thank you sincerely for your continued support.