East Timor still searches for justice, 50 years after Indonesian invasion

East Timor remains haunted by the trauma of its 24-year occupation by Indonesia. For many, it's been a grueling struggle to find justice for crimes committed against them and their families. Berta dos Santos was just nine years old when Indonesian soldiers brutally attacked her village in December 1975. She recalls being forced into hiding with others as soldiers searched for women and girls. Dos Santos, who has since become a prominent advocate for human rights, said she was violently raped by the soldiers.

Her mother Helena was taken away and forced into sexual slavery. The trauma of those events continues to affect dos Santos today. "I have let go of my pain, my anger, my resentment and my bitterness long ago," she said. But her family's experience is just one of many stories from East Timor's occupation.

Major-General Americo Ximenes, also known as Sabika Besi Kulit or "Metal Skin", was a key figure in the country's resistance against Indonesia. Ximenes fought for 24 years in the jungle before being captured and forced to flee to Australia. He believes that justice should be served at home.

"It only those who have fought in the jungle, they're the ones that understand each other," he said. While some, like dos Santos, have sought healing through reconciliation, others, including Ximenes, believe that those responsible for human rights abuses during the occupation should face justice.

However, East Timor's current government has prioritised a good relationship with Indonesia over accountability. The country remains deeply reliant on Jakarta as an economic partner and has also joined ASEAN. This has created tension within the country between those who want to maintain ties with Indonesia and those who demand justice for past atrocities.

The lack of accountability for crimes committed during the occupation is a source of ongoing pain for many East Timorese. The exact number of victims remains unknown, but it's estimated that up to 200,000 people died during the conflict. Only one person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation - Eurico Guterres, a pro-Indonesian militia leader.

Efforts by Human Rights Watch have highlighted the need for Indonesia to bring perpetrators to justice. However, the Indonesian government remains unwilling to do so, with some even being hailed as national heroes.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how many people are still waiting for answers about what happened in East Timor 24 years ago It's like they're living in a state of limbo, knowing the truth but not being able to do anything about it. I think it's really unfair that some people who committed these heinous crimes are even celebrated as heroes . Those responsible for human rights abuses should be held accountable, no matter how long ago it happened.

I also feel sorry for people like Berta dos Santos and others who have had to deal with the trauma of what they went through . Healing from such pain takes time, but I hope that one day East Timor will get the justice it deserves . It's not just about closure for the victims and their families, it's also about sending a message that these kinds of atrocities won't be tolerated in the future .

I wish the current government would take a stand against Indonesia's reluctance to cooperate on this issue . East Timor has every right to demand justice for its people and I hope they'll find a way to make their voices heard soon .

I'm still shaking my head about this . It's been 24 long years since East Timor was occupied by Indonesia, and it feels like time has barely passed for those affected by the trauma . The fact that there's only one person convicted of crimes related to the occupation is just crazy . And get me wrong, I'm all for maintaining good relations with our neighbors, but at what cost? It's clear that some people in power are more concerned with economic ties than justice and accountability .

I mean, can you imagine if this was happening in the US or EU? The response would be swift and severe, without a doubt ️. But because it happened in a remote part of the world, it seems like nobody's holding Indonesia accountable . It's heartbreaking to see families still struggling for justice, and I really hope that things will change soon .

It's crazy to think about how much trauma East Timor has been through and it still feels like a raw wound . I mean, 200k+ people died during that occupation...it's just insane . And to think that only one person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation is just infuriating . It's not fair to those who were brutalized and traumatized by the Indonesian soldiers.

I feel for Berta dos Santos, she went through so much at such a young age...and it still affects her today . I wish we could see more accountability from Indonesia for their actions. Maybe if they acknowledge what happened in the past, it'll help heal some of that trauma . But at this point, it feels like justice is just a pipe dream .

I'm literally getting chills thinking about all those people who went through such unimaginable trauma during East Timor's occupation Berta dos Santos' story is just one example of the many victims who are still seeking justice after 24 long years It's crazy to think that there's only one person convicted of crimes related to the occupation, and even then, it was a pro-Indonesian militia leader The fact that East Timor's government is prioritizing ties with Indonesia over accountability is just heartbreaking I know we can't change the past, but it's so important for our leaders to acknowledge the suffering of their people and take concrete steps towards justice Can you imagine how much healing and closure would come from a real commitment to holding those responsible accountable?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how much trauma East Timor's history has left on its people . I feel so bad for people like Berta dos Santos and her family who have had to live with the aftermath of such brutal violence. It's crazy that even now, they're still searching for justice .

I think it's super messed up that the East Timor government is more worried about keeping things peaceful with Indonesia than actually holding anyone accountable for what happened during the occupation . I mean, I get it, relationships are complicated and all that, but can't they at least try to make sure those responsible face some kind of consequences?

It's wild to me that only one person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation, considering how many people died during the conflict... 200,000?! That's just staggering . And on top of all this, there are still so many people out there who think the perpetrators are heroes? What's going on with Indonesia's justice system ?

Wow this is so sad, dos Santos's story is breaking my heart. How can one person be considered a hero when they've committed such heinous crimes? And it's crazy that only 1 person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation. I feel like justice hasn't been served at all and it's affecting people's lives still. Interesting how some countries prioritize good relations over holding people accountable for human rights abuses

Man, this East Timor stuff is still so raw and unsettling . 24 years of occupation is just crazy, and to think that there's still no accountability for all those human rights abuses... it's like, what's the point of even trying to move on? I feel bad for people like Berta dos Santos and her family, who are still dealing with trauma from when they were young. And now, the fact that only one person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation just shows how inadequate justice is in this country .

And it's wild how some people in Indonesia are being hailed as heroes for their actions during the occupation... like, what does that even say about their society? It's all very sad and frustrating at the same time. I think it's so important to keep raising awareness about these issues and pushing for change. Maybe one day East Timor will be able to heal and find justice for its people .

I feel so bad for people like Berta dos Santos and her family who went through that unimaginable trauma. 24 years of occupation is just too long, and it's not okay that they still haven't gotten the justice they deserve . It's crazy to me that Eurico Guterres, the only person convicted of crimes related to the occupation, is being seen as a hero in Indonesia . And meanwhile, the current government is more worried about keeping ties with Indonesia than making things right for their own people . I wish East Timor could find a way to balance good relations with Jakarta while also holding their own leaders accountable for past atrocities .

I'm not convinced that the East Timorese gov is doing enough to address human rights abuses during the occupation . Berta dos Santos' story is heartbreaking and it's clear that justice hasn't been served for her family and many others like them. Major-General Ximenes knows firsthand what happened in the jungle, so who better to call on than him? But instead of taking action, they're just trying to keep things hush-hush with Indonesia .

I mean, 200,000+ people dead is a staggering number and yet only one person has been convicted? It's unacceptable that Eurico Guterres is being hailed as a hero when he's clearly guilty of war crimes . I'd love to see some concrete evidence of the gov's efforts to bring perpetrators to justice before I believe they're doing enough . And what about the economic ties with Indonesia? Are those worth the cost of ignoring human rights abuses? Need more info on this one

I'm still getting goosebumps thinking about this ... 200,000+ people killed and only one person convicted? It's like they say, justice is blind, but in this case, it feels like she's turned a deaf ear . The fact that East Timor's government is so caught up with keeping good relations with Indonesia makes me think about the phrase " complicity by omission" . I mean, if you're not actively working to bring down perpetrators, aren't you still a part of the problem? We can only hope that one day, people like Berta dos Santos and Americo Ximenes will see justice served, even if it means taking matters into their own hands .

Man I'm still in shock about how East Timor is dealing with all this trauma. 200k people died and only one guy's been convicted? It's like, what's the point of having a government if they're not gonna hold people accountable for their actions? And it's not just that one person, the whole system's still flawed. I mean, who thought it was okay to let some militia leader be a national hero? I get where Ximenes is coming from, fighting in the jungle and all, but you can't deny that justice needs to be served. It's time for the government to step up and make things right, not just for the victims' families but for themselves too...

The trauma of East Timor's occupation still lingers, and it's heartbreaking to see how many people are still searching for justice 24 years after the fact . It's not just Berta dos Santos or Major-General Americo Ximenes' stories that need attention, but also the countless others whose lives were forever changed by the brutality of war. The fact that Eurico Guterres is the only person convicted so far is a glaring reminder of how far Indonesia still has to go .

It's frustrating to see the East Timorese government prioritizing economic ties with Indonesia over holding those responsible accountable . I'm not surprised that there's tension within the country between those who want to maintain ties and those who demand justice – it's only natural that people would want their voices heard . The fact remains, though, that justice needs to be served, and it needs to be done now .

Still no justice 4 East Timor victims

The whole thing is just so messed up . East Timor's occupation was like a never-ending nightmare and it's still affecting people today. I mean, how many times can you keep hurting someone and expecting them to just forgive and forget? It's not about forgiveness, it's about justice . And to think that the current government is more worried about keeping Indonesia happy than making sure those responsible are held accountable...it's like they're putting a bandaid on a bullet wound .

I don't get why some people still have a problem with accountability. It's not like it's going to hurt anyone else . And what's really frustrating is that there's only one person who's been convicted of crimes related to the occupation...one out of 200,000 victims. That's just a drop in the ocean .

I'm all for reconciliation and moving forward, but you can't just sweep this stuff under the rug . The truth needs to come out and justice needs to be served. It's time for East Timor (and Indonesia) to face their past and make amends .

I'm still skeptical about these "reconciliation" efforts in East Timor. It's like they're trying to sweep the trauma of their past under the rug . Berta dos Santos is a great example of someone who's worked through her pain, but what about those who can't? The fact that only one person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation and many are still being glorified by the Indonesian government is just not right . And it's so frustrating when the current gov't prioritizes economic ties over accountability . I mean, isn't justice worth more than a good trade deal?

Wow the thought of someone like Americo Ximenes still fighting for justice 24 years after the occupation is just incredible . I'm so interested in how his experience in the jungle shaped his views on accountability and why he thinks it's only those who have been through that can truly understand the struggles of others . And I guess it's sad that East Timor's government has prioritized a good relationship with Indonesia over justice for past atrocities .

24 yrs is way too long 4 someone 2 b traumatized like Berta dos Santos . It's crazy dat her mom got taken away & forced into slavery . I feel 4 all those East Timorese who are still suffering from the trauma of Indonesia's occupation . It's not about just moving on or forgiveness, it's about justice & accountability . Why can't East Timor's gov just stand up 2 Indonesia & demand answers? The fact dat only one person has been convicted is a total joke . I wish more ppl like Major-General Ximenes would come forward & share their stories, maybe then Indonesia will listen

East Timor's trauma still feels like an open wound . 24 yrs of occupation is a huge deal & it's crazy that only one person was convicted... what about the rest? 200k+ people died, but only justice for Eurico Guterres? doesn't add up. Some ppl r saying Jakarta needs to step up & take responsibility but is that too much to ask?

East Timor's occupation trauma is still super raw and it's not easy to find justice for those affected. I mean, 200k people died during that 24-year thing... it's mind-boggling. Berta dos Santos' story is so harrowing - being forced into hiding and raped by soldiers... her mom was taken away and used as sexual slave too. It's crazy how some people still don't want to face justice for what they did. The fact that only 1 person has been convicted of crimes related to the occupation is just a slap in the face. I think it's time for Indonesia to take responsibility for its actions and bring those responsible to justice. It won't be easy, but it's gotta be done... [www.hrw.org](http://www.hrw.org)