Media Release - We want justice for crimes

Vote for FRETILIN! 2007 Parliamentary Elections “From the people, with the people and for the people” Media release

1 June 2007

We want justice for crimes

FRETILIN the largest political party in Timor-Leste (East Timor) today said that it supports the prosecution of people who have committed crimes against the East Timorese people in the period between 1975 and 1999.

Aniceto Guterres, a FRETILIN parliamentary candidate, today in Dili said that “FRETILIN believes the search for justice should begin with thorough investigations into crimes which lead to prosecutions, trials and sentencing. This is because respect for human rights and the rule of law is of utmost importance for our emerging democracy.”

He said “FRETILIN is the only political institution that has consistently defended the right to justice for the victims of human rights abuses in Timor-Leste.

“It was FRETILIN who insisted that the legislation creating the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) and the Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) not include amnesties or immunities for people who committed serious crimes between 1975 and 1999.

He added “the granting of amnesty should not be a pre-condition for cooperating with investigations. Amnesty is just a tool to be used in appropriate circumstances, say for example, where it can lead to the uncovering of the truth which is also essential to achieving justice and reconciliation.”

Guterres said that the CAVR and CTF is only the beginning of the search for justice. FRETILIN will give high priority to progressing the recommendations from the Final Report from the CAVR (“CHEGA!”) through prompt debate in Parliament.

“The pursuit of justice is essential for this nation because even the crimes of 1999 have not been resolved satisfactorily. This has meant that people involved with the pro-autonomy militia now hold senior positions in some political parties or are candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections which will mean that they could be elected to National Parliament, the supreme law making body of Timor-Leste.”

“In terms of opposition parties pointing fingers, some of them should be looking more at their own houses than at others.”

Regarding Timor-Leste’s relationship with Indonesia, Gutteres said: “It is important to promote good relationships with our neighbours and this is something the FRETILIN government has always done. However, this should not result in our nation doing things which result in justice not being pursued or the process of reconciliation between our nations neglected”.

Guterres said “When FRETILIN speaks about justice we are not talking about simple words or theorizing. We are committed to the process of justice, truth and healing which will lead to true reconciliation for the people of Timor-Leste who are an inspiring and proud people and who deserve the dignity of due process and the rule of law.”

For more information please contact: Jose Teixeira (+670) 332 2970 or email fretilin.media@gmail.com