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OECUSSE
AND THE CRIMES OF 1999
Oecusse
escaped much of the violence of the initial Indonesian
invasion in 1975 as well as the subsequent occupation.
However, it was not so lucky during the run up to
the Popular Consultation in August 1999 and along
with Suai and Bobonaro was subjected to the worst
violence in the territory.
In
excess of 170 people are believed to have been murdered
in Oecusse in 1999, let alone those who were injured
and/or terrorized. Over 80 percent of all residences
and other buildings were systematically looted and
then destroyed. It was also the site of one the worst
atrocities committed during 1999: the Passabe
massacre.
Furthermore,
due its isolation it was not until 22 October 1999
that the Australian lead Interfet managed to reach
Oecusse and liberate it from the militias sponsored
by the Indonesian security forces. A
boy named Lafu played a prominent role in this liberation.
22
October, is now known as Interfet Day in Oecusse.
It
is important to note that despite the efforts of the
United Nations and elements of the East Timorese government
there have been no major convictions of those responsible
for the crimes of 1999. The Serious Crimes Unit of
the Ministry of Justice has made little progress in
bringing the perpetrators of
the crimes committed in Oecusse to justice. To read
more about these crimes view the MasterŐs of Terror
Website and read the Special Panel for Serious Crimes
indictments.
The
main militia in Oecusse was named SAKUNAR, or Scorpion.
It was headed by Simao
Lopes and its operational commander was Laurentino
"Moko" Soares. Both currently live in
West Timor close the Oecusse border and are believed
to have cordial relations with police, military and
civilian authorities in Indonesia. There are outstanding
indictments for the arrest of both men.
Most
of those indicted currently live in West Timor and
other parts of Indonesia. Many live within a few kilometers
of the border. Some live within a short walk of the
border. Some live within sight of the communities
in which victims and their families live.
READ
MORE...
Killings
and rapes in Timor enclave
[BBC Online Network, Monday, October 18, 1999]
For
more on the indictments, see the links on the left
of this page.
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