Prayer Alert (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Timor Leste

Description: FYI #33, 2005-8-1 Praying for SEA

East Timor

(Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste)

01 August 2005

 

Statistics

Population: 857,000 [UN, 2005]

Ethnic groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority, Mestizos (mixed race people)

 

Religions (estimated):

Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1%, Most citizens retain some practices of animistic beliefs which are regarded as more cultural than religious [IRFR 2004].

 

Language: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English

 

Government type: Republic

Independence: 28 November 1975 (from Portugal)

                         20 May 2002 (from Indonesia)

Capital: Dili

Chief of state: President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao (since 20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto some legislation; he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre Gusmao

Head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri (since 20 May 2002)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers

 

Independence: 28 November 1975 (from Portugal)

                         20 May 2002 (from Indonesia)

Capital: Dili

Chief of state: President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao (since 20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto some legislation; he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre Gusmao

Head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri (since 20 May 2002)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers

 

Government type: Republic

Independence: 28 November 1975 (from Portugal)

                         20 May 2002 (from Indonesia)

 

Chief of state: President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao (since 20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto some legislation; he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre Gusmao

Head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri (since 20 May 2002)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers

 

Maubere, another name for East Timorese, meaning ‘little people,’ a word of ridicule used by the Portuguese to refer to the people of East Timor.  In the resistance movement in 1970s, the word was turned into a name of pride.  Animist by nature, the Maubere people (predominantly Catholics) are known for their rich oral tradition in myths and legends.   

 

East Timor, one of only two majority Roman Catholic countries in Asia (besides the Philippines), is the youngest nation of the new millennium.

 

Political and human rights development

Formerly Portuguese Timor, East Timor was invaded and occupied by Indonesia nine days after declaring itself independent from Portugal on November 28, 1975. Throughout the period of Indonesian rule, there had been sporadic warfare with the leftist Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) guerrillas. An estimation of 100,000 to 250,000 people died as a result of bombings, killings and starvation. In August 1999, under the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, the people voted for independence over autonomy within Indonesia.  Indonesia relinquished its control but left the nation with at least 1,450 deaths and 300,000 homeless [IHT Online, Aug 10, 05s], along with a massive destruction of its infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water and electrical supply systems, and schools. In the wake of this violence, UN administered the territory for 2.5 years.  Under its supervised elections in 2001, Fretilin won the majority of the parliamentary seats.  The party’s secretary general, Mari Alkatiri, became the Prime Minister.  On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognised as an independent state.

 

Today, many in East Timor still feel that justice is not being done, for Indonesia has “failed to give a credible judicial accounting for the 1999 atrocities” [R5]. The Human Rights Groups and the Catholic Church firmly believe that justice can only be achieved through an international tribunal.  In July 2005, a UN Commission of Experts was set up; it gave the Indonesian government six months to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes against humanity in a special tribunal with "a team of international judicial and legal experts, preferably from the Asian region" [Asia Times].  However, the governments of Indonesia and East Timor set up a 10-member Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTR) to look into the violence [Jakarta Post, Aug 2, 05]. The CTR consists of five Indonesians and five East Timorese.

 

In general, the political climate in the country is less than stable. Corruption in the executive and legislative branch is reported as not significant.  The provision for an independent judiciary is respected but the system has, by far, been inefficient and at times inconsistent [R2]. It remains weak, overloaded, lack of human resources, training and oversight of official in the legal system [R7].  As a result, the rights to due process and fair trial are often denied.  The National Police Service is poorly equipped, under-trained and influenced by political pressure [R5].  There have been numerous allegation of excessive use of force and corruption. 

 

Although the Constitution guarantees equal rights and responsibilities for men and women, and protection against discrimination based on sex, women continue to be marginalised in the social, cultural, economic and political sectors. Gender based violence is serious and widespread [R2]. 

 

The Constitution also provides for freedom of conscience, religion, and worship for all persons and “stipulates that no one shall be persecuted or discriminated against on the basis of his or her religious conviction” [R3]. Nonetheless, it has been reported that non-Catholic religious groups are sometimes viewed with suspicion. At times, some Muslim groups and non-Catholic Christian groups have been victims of harassment.

 

The Catholic Church is the dominant religious institution in the country, and its priests and bishops are highly revered by the locals. Its strong and pervasive influence sometimes affects government decisions. In April, the church has in fact called for protest against the Government and for resignation of the Prime Minister after a disagreement over the school curricula.  “The church wants the Catholic faith to be taught compulsory in schools while the Government insists that under the constitution East Timor is a secular state and that no faith can be imposed on anyone” [www.smh.com.au, Apr 20, 05].

 

East Timor is ranked 158th (out of 175 countries) in the 2004 Human Development Report in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment and adjusted real income. It is said to be the worst performer in East Asia & the Pacific, the world's poorest nation at independence.  It is still facing “myriad problems caused by the legacy of Indonesia’s brutal occupation” and has yet to rebuild much of what was destroyed. The country is heavily dependent on foreign assistance. Meanwhile unemployment is skyrocketing and poverty remains widespread. 42% of the population live below poverty line (2003 est.).

 

Suggested prayer items:

1.       For political stability with efficient and righteous government

2.       For men or women of integrity and of wisdom to be in the leadership positions

3.       Against all forms discrimination; for protection and respect for women and those who are of the minority religious groups

4.       For policies that will effectively eradicate poverty and improve economic performance

5.       Protestant Christians: for unity, perseverance and courage, continue to be salt and light in all areas. 

6.       For restoration, reconciliation and healing

 

Reference:

1.       CIA Factbook, February 10 2005.

2.       Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, released February 2005

3.       International Religious Freedom Report September 2004

4.       Amnesty International December 2005, released January 2005

5.       Human Rights Watch, World Report 2005

6.       http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/section/EastTimor_History.asp

7.       http://asiafoundation.org/pdf/easttimor_lawsurvey.pdf

 



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