The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson, left East Timor today after a three-day visit, saying that the international community has a responsibility to ensure that the perpetrators of last year’s violence in the country do not escape justice.
Speaking at a press conference in Dili before leaving for Jakarta, Mary Robinson stressed that the violence occurred while East Timor was under United Nations guardianship around the time of the popular consultation.
The Human Rights Commissioner said that this meant that the United Nations must ensure that Indonesia’s judicial process is credible.
“The most important thing is to bring perpetrators to justice. That can either be done by the courts in Indonesia or by the courts here in East Timor. Or, if necessary, it can be done by an international tribunal. I don't rule out the need – if it comes to that – for an international tribunal,” Mary Robinson said during her visit. Today, she also delivered a keynote speech at a human rights workshop, stressing that the process of nation building must be based upon basic human rights principles.
In the same meeting, SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello said: “We hope that, in partnership with the East Timorese people, we can build a society founded on human rights principles where everyone is equally protected by the law, where women can participate fully in public life, where state officials are accountable for their actions and where individuals are free to engage in peaceful and lawful political activities without fear.”
Robinson also raised the issue of minorities in East Timor. “I am concerned about the position of minorities. I am concerned about the Muslim community. They after all have made a commitment to the new East Timor. They will enrich through the very diversity of being a minority within this community. I hope the political leaders will speak out on the importance of minorities.”
In addition, the commissioner went to the district of Suai, in the south, and addressed a public meeting at the National Museum in Dili.
