Long Journey Home - the Stolen Children of Timor-Leste
Channel: Asia Justice and Rights
Date: 2014-04-04

Timor-Leste's CAVR estimates that some 4000 children were taken from their families and sent to Indonesia during the occupation. The transfer of children was a practice sanctioned by the military and civilian authorities, involving individuals and later on institutions (military, religious and other civilian organizations) that facilitated this process. Many of these seperated children are now adults, living in Indonesia, with a vague memory of being East Timorese.

In 2013, AJAR was able to help facilitate a visit of the lost children. The issue of the stolen children provides an opportunity to highlight "unfinished business" between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

This film is the story of Imaculada Viana's journey to visit her family in Timor-Leste. She was separated in 1999 during the referendum when she was one and a half years old.