1. THE PHENOMENON OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES IN ASIA

In Timor Leste, approximately 186,000 to 250,000 people died and made to disappear during the Indonesian occupation of Timor Leste based on report of the Truth, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission of Timor-Leste, entitled, “Chega!” But after achieving the independence in 1999, both the Indonesian and Timor Leste governments have continually ignored the recommendations submitted by the Commission on Truth and Friendship and the continuing cry of victims’ families for justice. The release of indicted militia leader, Martenus Bere, who is suspected to be one of those responsible for the past atrocities is not only an insult to the families and survivors but also a breach to the spirit of friendship and reconciliation. A lobby group of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) met with President Jose Ramos-Horta on 25 November 2009, in Dili, Timor Leste and presented to him the need for the signature and ratification of the government of Timor Leste to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (The Convention). The president made a clear commitment that he would undertake all efforts to sign and ratify this international treaty before the end of 2009. He noted that had he been alerted earlier, the government of Timor-Leste could have already been a state party. As of this writing, however, the promise remains unfulfilled. The calls of AFAD were reiterated during the visit of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in January 2011. The latter also called on the Timor Leste government to sign and ratify the Convention.