CAVR to Handover Final Report

Subject: XG: CAVR to Handover Final Report

PRESIDÊNCIA DA REPÚBLICA

GABINETE DA PRESIDÊNCIA

PRESS RELEASE

Dili, 29 October 2005

CAVR HANDOVER ITS FINAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION SINCE 1975 UNTIL 1999 TO H.E PRESIDENT KAY RALA XANANA GUSMÃO

On Monday 31 October at 15H00 in “Salão Nobre” Palace Lahane in Dili, H.E President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will receive “Relatorio Final” of the Commission of Reception of Truth, Reconciliation (CAVR) from the President of CAVR Mr. Aniceto Gutteres.

H.E President Xanana Gusmão stated that “The independence of CAVR throughout the work undertaking to fulfill its mandate will ensure that this final report reflects the truth on the 24 years history of Timor-Leste”

“Relatorio Final” is about 2000 page long and the report will be sealed upon receipt until H.E President Gusmão hand over to the National Parliament on the 28 of November 2005. The CAVR will continue to set up a mechanism to help the dissemination of the report to the public until dissolution of commission which is expected to be no longer than one month after the handover ceremony.

On behalf of the State and the People of Timor-Leste, H.E President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will present certificates of appreciation to all members of the CAVR and to those who contribute their support from the formation of commission and making the mission a success. The distribution of certificates has started on 29 October during the CAVR final commissioners meeting and will continue on Monday 31 October at the handover ceremony.

It is expected that members of Government, Parliament, members of Judiciary, Member of Council of State and Council of Defense and Security, Representative of Diplomatic Corp, Representative of the Church, Political Parties, International and National NGO’s, and other members of civil society will be present at the event.

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Advisory: A Press Conference will be held following the ceremony. Only media personnel accredited by the office of the President will be granted access into the event.

DEPARTAMENTO DE COMUNICAÇÃO SOCIAL DA PRESIDÊNCIA DA REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

Contactos: telefone:(+670) 333 9008, telemóvel:(+670) 7236733, E-MAIL Chefe Dep. Com. Social: lusitania@presidente-tl.org e comunicacao.social@presidente-tl.org

CAVR

Media Release

The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in Timor-Leste (CAVR) will hand over its final report to President Xanana Gusmão on Monday 31 October, in a solemn ceremony at the Palácio Lahane, Dili. The Report is a culmination of three-and-half years of work by the CAVR in villages and towns across the country, documenting the truth about human rights violations committed by all sides between 1974 and 1999 and fostering reconciliation at the community level.

President Xanana Gusmão plans to deliver the Report to the National Parliament in a special sitting at 3pm on 28 November, when it will simultaneously be made public. The contents remain confidential until that time. The Report, approximately 2,000 pages in length and published in three language versions (Portuguese, English and Indonesian), sets out detailed accounts by victims of violations from all periods of the mandate and provides analysis of the factors, policies and practices which caused these violations. A statistical project by the CAVR scientifically established the death toll throughout the mandate period due to the conflict. The Report also includes a detailed chapter on recommendations for future action to protect and promote human rights and reconciliation.

CAVR Chairperson Aniceto Guterres Lopes, said:

“Our mission was to establish accountability in order to deepen and strengthen the prospects for peace, democracy, the rule of law and human rights in our new nation. Central to this was the recognition that victims not only had a right to justice and the truth but that justice, truth and mutual understanding are essential for the healing and reconciliation of individuals and the nation.”

With the hand over of its Report, the functions of the CAVR have been fulfilled, with final administrative matters to be completed before the President formally dissolves the Commission within the next three months. Plans for a future memorial centre for victims, human rights and reconciliation at the Comarca headquarters of the CAVR are well advanced.

The Report will be published on the CAVR website simultaneously with the President’s delivery of it to the National Parliament (http://www.cavr-timorleste.org).

For more information contact Emily Chew: emily@cavr-timorleste.org or mobile telephone +670 725 7552.