DILI, 11 march 2023 ( TATOLI)- Director of Exterior for National Centre for Chega (CNC), Gaudencio de Sousa, said the report from Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR) recorded over 40,000 Timorese disappeared in the war during the Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 1999 that had not been searched by the Government of Timor-Leste.
According to Sousa, the remains of these heroes can examine when the International Convention for the Protection of all persons from Enforced Disappear (ICPPED) is approved by the ratified Government and Parliament National.
“It’s time for the government and National Parliament to find the whereabouts of our President Nicolau Lobato, David Alex “Dai Tula, and other heroes who died in the war within Indonesian occupation, but the government has not ratified ICPPED. The ratification of ICPPD is needed as a foundation to pave way for Timor – Leste and Indonesia to continue working together to search for our Heroes that disappeared during the war,” Gaudencio de Sousa told TATOLI at the CNC‘s Office, Dili.
At the same place the National Director of Bilateral Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC), Crisgono Araujo stated that the ratification of ICPPD is in the stage of preparation between Timor – Leste and Indonesia.
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) is the United Nations’ international human rights instrument, intended to prevent forced disappearance and crimes against humanity which, is defined in international law.
The text was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 December 2006 and opened for signature on 6 February 2007.
It entered into force on 23 December 2010. As of January 2023, 98 states have signed the convention and 69 have ratified it. Hoped that Timor – Leste will soon ratify the ICCPD to seek the disappeared people in Timor – Leste in the future.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
