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WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY RESOURCES: TIMOR-LESTE
Civil Society and NGO Reports, Papers and Statements | UN Documents | Government Statements and Reports | Books, Journals and Articles

UNIFEM WOMEN, WAR AND PEACE WEB PORTAL: TIMOR-LESTE

Civil Society and NGO Reports, Papers and Statements

Challenges and Possibilities: International Organizations and Women in Timor-Leste
Damian Grenfell and Anna Trembaht
The Globalism Institute, RMIT University, 2007
This report is an attempt to reflect some of the ideas shared at the 2005 international conference, ‘Challenges and Possibilities.’ It aims to draw upon the experiences and ideas of participants, including East Timorese women and representatives of international organizations, in order to explore three key issues:

1. The practices and assumptions of international organizations working with East Timorese women;
2. How East Timorese women have responded; and
3. How the international presence has impacted on women in East Timor.

‘Challenges and Possibilities’ represented a unique opportunity for East Timorese members of civil society, representatives of international organizations, and interested Australians to collectively explore a critical, yet often sidelined, issue. The primary aim of the event was to create a forum for reflective dialogue, collaboration and critical self and peer review so as to make an open assessment regarding the impact of international organizations on the live of women in East Timor. The approach to the weekend’s events emphasized participation, open dialogue and collaboration in a safe, engaged environment. This was achieved through a combination of seminars, professionally facilitated workshops and less formal opportunities for social exchange.

To view the report, please click HERE

Women’s Involvement in Timor-Leste’s Presidential Elections
Manuela Leong Pereira and Jill Sternberg, May 2007
Timor-Leste (the official name for East Timor) successfully held its second presidential election this year. Unlike the first Presidential Election, where the choice was between two male leaders of the independence struggle, eight candidates stood for election. More significant, Lucia Lobato was the one woman candidate.
Asurvey of women's political participation and gender issues in the 2007 Presidential elections

Pacific Women Exploring Nonviolence
International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), Documentary, September 2004
This new 25-minute video explores the reality behind the myth of a peaceful Pacific. Twenty women peace activists from Bougainville, East Timor, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands explain the causes and effects of armed conflict in their region, and the risks they are taking to build peace.

East Timor, women, peace and security and UNSC Resolution 1325
Kirsty Sword Gusmao and Dr. Stephanie Fahey, Transcript, Women in International Security, Australia (WIISA), Baker & McKenzie offices, Sydney, Australia, 20 April 2004

Law and Justice in East Timor: A Survey of Citizen Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Law and Justice in East Timor
The Asia Foundation with funding from USAID, Dili, February 2004
The report presents the findings of The Asia Foundation’s third national survey in East Timor. The aim of the research was to assess citizen knowledge and attitudes toward law and justice, to identify key issues and challenges, and to provide data to the judiciary, government officials, citizens, and others who are now making critical decisions about the justice sector development in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The report explicitly integrates women's perpsectives and attitudes regarding gender justice.

Are Women Included or Excluded in Post-Conflict Reconstruction? : A Case Study from East Timor
Catherine Scott, CIIR, 30 June 2003
In answering this question from an East Timorese perspective, and probably from most other cases which we will discuss today, we might first ask the question which women are we talking about? Women are from most points of view not a homogenous category, and issues which impinge on women are cross cut by other factors affecting their status, beit marital status, age, class, race and so on. Conflicts also vary considerably. The conflict which took place in East Timor was not unlike some of the African wars of liberation – an interrupted decolonisation process followed by resistance to and eventual liberation from a particularly brutal neo-colonial occupation. But the involvement of women in conflict as well as peace-making and reconstruction can vary depending on the nature of the war in question. Women often play a much bigger part in a national liberation conflict than one where conflicting interests and nationalisms result in armed conflict. The roles they play in conflicts – which also vary considerably – may also have a bearing on how women are involved in post conflict reconstruction.

Women and Conflict National Public Hearing
Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in Timor Leste (CAVR), CAVR National Headquarters, former Comarca Balide, Dili, 28-29 April 2003
According to its mandate in Regulation No. 2001/10, the CAVR (The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor) is obligated in law to seek the truth about human rights abuses on all sides in East Timor from 25 April 1974 through 25 October 1999. This endeavor encompasses statement taking, research and information gathering regarding human rights abuses by all sides. One of the main research themes that is currently being undertaken is about women and conflict. Special attention needs to be given to the fact that women experience violation of human rights in a specific way, because of their marginalized position and the role they have in reproduction. The research that is being done is of a qualitative nature, based on direct interviews and also secondary data that exists. This research will entail women in resistance, as well as women's role in peace-building and reconciliation. Another aspect that is being researched is about the impact of the conflict on women, which includes killings, arrest, torture, sexual violence and violence through policy. Regarding the research topic on women and conflict, the CAVR is working together with FOKUPERS (Communication Forum for Women in East Timor).

Crying Without Tears: In Pursuit of Justice and Reconciliation in Timor-Leste: Community Perspectives and Expectations
Piers Pigou for International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), 2003

Letter from East Timor: Gender & Constitution Working Group
Oxfam, Connections, December 2001

UN Security Council Arria Formula meeting on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325
Natércia Godinho-Adams, East Timor, New York, 30 October 2001

Letter to the United Nations on Women and Upcoming East Timor Elections
Charles Scheiner, National Coordinator, East Timor Action Network, 1 March 2001
In one of the world’s most remarkable examples of struggle and success, the people of East Timor are at long last moving towards full independence for their country, in partnership with the United Nations. The National Council of East Timor recently approved recommendations for this process, which the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) will shortly decide whether to approve. One Council recommendation with wide support from women’s groups and other elements of East Timorese civil society requires that at least 30 percent of candidates in the upcoming elections be women. We are writing to express our strong support for this recommendation.

Women, Peace and Security in East Timor
Rede: Feto Timor Lorosae a network of East Timorese women and women's organization on the occasion of the United Nations Security Council special session on the Role of Women in Maintaining International Peace and Security Dili, 24 October 2000
[W]e would hope and indeed urge the Security Council to take measures towards redressing these very serious concerns. We are most grateful for the UN presence in our country, but feel very strongly that operations like the United Nations Transition Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) post conflict can be more successful and contribute more effectively through careful planning and it truly must be done in partnership with existing local structures and institutions. In the case of gender equity and women's rights mechanisms must be developed consciously and mandated to meet requirements in CEDAW and the UN's own gender mainstreaming policies.

East Timor Action Network Resources on Women in East Timor

UN Documents

UNIFEM's Executive Director Pays tribute to Timorese Women [unofficial document]
UNMISET, Public Information Office, Photos Timor, 5 August 2003

International Women's Day in Timor-Leste [unofficial document]
UNMISET, Public Information Office, Photos Timor, 6 March 2003

United Nations Peacekeeping Operation (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor - UNTAET) - October 1999
East Timor erupted in civil war in 1974 following attempts by Portuguese authorities to establish a popular assembly yo determine the future status of the island. The struggle between those who favored independence and those who favored integration into Indonesia eventually resulted in the complete withdrawal of Portugal and the absorption of East Timor into Indonesia following Indonesian military intervention. The United Nations did not recognize this integration and, after calling for Indonesia's withdrawal, worked with Portugal and Indonesia from 1982 to 1998 to resolve the status of East Timor. In June 1998, Indonesia proposed a limited autonomy for east Timor within Indonesia. Following this proposal, Portugal and Indonesia signed a series of agreements calling for a popular decision among the East Timorese people to determine whether they accepted or rejected the proposed status with Indonesia. The United Nations became responsible for conducting this "popular consultation" and established UNAMET (the United Nations Mission in East Timor) to do so. UNAMET successfully registered eligible voters and conducted the voting process. The East Timorese people, by a margin of nearly 4 to 1, rejected the Indonesia proposal for quasi-autonomy and voted to begin a transition to independence.

After the results were announced, pro-integration forces began violent attacks and raids across the island which resulted in deaths and the displacement of more than half the East Timorese population. Unable to convince Indonesia to uphold its security commitments under the agreement with Portugal, the United nations authorized a force, under Australian command, to support UNAMET and provide humanitarian support. Following the formal withdrawal of all Indonesian forces, UNTAET was established as a peacekeeping force to aid in the transition to East Timorese independence and aid in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and development services.
More Background, UNTAET mandate, UNTAET Homepage

Security Council Resolutions on East Timor:
October 25, 1999 Resolution 1272; September 15, 1999 Resolution 1264 ; August 27, 1999 Resolution 1262; August 3, 1999 Resolution 1257; June 11, 1999 Resolution 1246; May 7, 1999 Resolution 1236

Security Council Presidential Statements on East Timor:
October 31, 2001 ; September 10, 2001; December 6, 2000; August 3, 2000; September 3, 1999; June 29, 1999

Reports of the Secretary General on East Timor:
October 18, 2001; October 22, 2001; July 24, 2001: May 2, 2001; January 16, 2001; July 26, 2000; January 26, 2000; February 8, 2000; February 8, 2000; August 9, 1999; July 20, 1999; June 22, 1999; May 22, 1999; May 5, 1999

Government Statements and Reports

On the Occasion of the Launch of the Women, War, Peace The Independent Experts' Assessment
His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Dili, Timor-Este, 6 August 2003



Books, Journals and Articles

Gender Awareness in Research on Small Arms and Light Weapons: A Preliminary Report: Timor-Leste
Emily Schroeder, Vanessa Farr and Albrecht Schnabel. swisspeace. Working Paper Series. Bern, January 2005

Traditional Justice and Gender Based Violence Research Report
Swaine Aisling, The International Rescue Committee, August 2003

East Timorese Women's Fight Against Violence
Curt Gabrielson, ICWA Letters, Institute of Current World Affairs, Bacau, 1 January 2002

Left Over from Death: Timorese Women Raped by Indonesian Militias Need Justice
Galuh Wandita, Inside Indonesia, No. 66, April - Jun 2001

Will there be Independence for the Women of East Timor?
Patrick Horton, Oxfam, Oxfam Horizons, April 2000

From One Day to Another: Violations of Women’s Reproductive and Sexual Rights in East Timor
Miranda E. Sissons. Victoria, Australia: East Timor Human Rights Centre, 1997
Women of East Timor discuss the horrors of sexual violence during the genocide lead by the army of Indonesia in this pamphlet. Many women carry the children of rape. Their stories give another grave example of how rape is used as a weapon in war. These women provide their accounts in hopes of finding international justice for these crimes against humanity.
Buy this book from the East Timor Action Network