A new illustrated report detailing human rights abuses in Timor-Leste aims to bring home to the general population the issues of non-violence, accountability and reconciliation. 

The five-part illustrated series was designed by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), the Post-CAVR Technical Secretariat and INSIST Press. It is written in the local language of Tetum and contains a comprehensive account of Timor-Leste’s history of mass human rights violations.

The new version was launched by President Jose Ramos-Horta to celebrate the 11th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s vote for independence on August 30.

Wider audience

According to the head of ICTJ’s Dili office, Manuela Pereira, the new illustrated version is designed to reach a much wider audience.

“We hope that this new version of Chega! Will prove a valuable resource for teachers and civil society organisations working to promote human rights and a deeper understanding of Timorese history among youth.”

Conflict

The original version entitled Chega!, the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) was written in English, Indonesian and Portuguese and stretched to 2000 pages. It was presented to President Xanana Gusmaoin in October 2005 and documents the history of the 1974-1999 conflict.

In its report the CAVR made more than 200 recommendations aimed at Timorese and Indonesian state institutions, the international community, the Catholic Church and Timorese civil society. Key among these were conducting further research into aspects of the 1974-1999 conflict; providing human rights education; searching for persons missing due to the conflict; providing fair reparations to victims; and bringing perpetrators of serious crimes to justice.