A people who ignore justice will be cursed to sustain injustice, exacerbate violence, and strengthen impunity of perpetrators of violence and injustice. Bringing forth the truth and justice to those who committed gross human rights violations in the past means that we give respect to the victims of these violations -which is all the people of East Timor. In so doing, we will break the cycle of revenge that is the basis for true reconciliation in East Timor. It will be too costly for the people of East Timor to continue this violence. Therefore, the exposure of these human rights violations and bringing justice to those responsible for these violations must be a priority agenda for the government of East Timor, both in this time of transition and the future.
Today marks the first anniversary of the referendum for the liberation of the people to East Timor.
Today is also the International Day for the Disappeared. Those whose loved ones disappeared have the non-derrogable right to justice. They have the right to know what happened to their loved ones. Their right to justice will only be fulfilled if they receive compensation for these disappearances and those responsible are punished accordingly. Call on the leaders of the world to stop human rights violations, particularly forced disappearance in their own countries, and to convince other leaders to follow suit.