
and other Timor-Leste civil society organisations hosted an international conference in Dili from August 28鈥30, to mark the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste鈥檚 independence referendum.
Under the banner of 鈥淪trengthen solidarity for self-determination and social justice鈥, a joint was released reaffirming solidarity with the people of Timor-Leste and calling on 鈥渃itizens of the world鈥 to continue the struggle 鈥渁gainst social injustice, human rights violations, climate injustice and development that is not prioritising people鈥檚 needs鈥.
Attendees called on Australia to drop its prosecution of lawyer Bernard Collaery and former intelligence officer, Witness K, whom they described as 鈥渇riends of the people of Timor-Leste and heroes of freedom of expression鈥. Collaery and Witness K exposed Australia鈥檚 dirty tactics during maritime boundary negotiations with Timor-Leste.
The conference also declared its support for climate justice and the global Climate Strike on September 20. It noted that 鈥100 corporations emit 70%鈥 of the world鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions with the help of 鈥渃orrupt governments鈥. It called on Australia to end its use of coal for energy.
It also expressed concern about the injustices faced by the people of West Papua, including arrest, torture and imprisonment at the hands of Indonesian security forces, as they 鈥渆xpress their wish to self determination鈥.
The declaration criticised Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 government in the Philippines for its military actions against the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao. It also expressed solidarity with the people of Western Sahara and acknowledged their support for Timor-Leste during its struggle for independence, reflecting on the international solidarity campaign that helped bring about Timor-Leste鈥檚 independence, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.
It said that, while progress has been made, more needs to happen for true national self-determination 鈥渋ncluding the principle of people鈥檚 liberation鈥.
The declaration listed a number of ongoing challenges, including: the rise in unemployment; the prevalence of government corruption; privatisation of health and education sectors; and the absence of justice for the victims of past human rights violations.
鈥淭hose responsible for the violations remain free while their victims continue to suffer,鈥 the declaration noted, while 鈥18,000 people forcibly disappeared are yet to be found, with very few have been reunited with their families.
鈥淭he women, victims of sexual violence are yet to recover from their traumas and gain the ability to continue their life.鈥
The lack of food sovereignty in Timor-Leste was also raised.
鈥淭here are changes in community鈥檚 culture of consumption and their way of preserving their water, land and resources.
鈥淭here is high dependence on rice as the main staple, even though rice production is very low due to lack of water conservation.鈥
The declaration criticised 鈥渟tate violence鈥 carried out against economic and social rights in Timor-Leste, 鈥渘eglecting the social and economic development of the people鈥.
鈥淧eople are left in poverty due to lack of access to clean water, quality education and healthy food.
鈥淓conomic development that does not give importance to the development of the people will contribute to Timor-Leste not achieving [UN] Sustainable Development Goals.鈥
The plight of Timorese domestic workers, who are often exploited, paid less than the minimum wage and left without labour rights protection was also highlighted in the declaration, which called for legislation to fix this.
Timor-Leste households rely heavily on remittances from Timorese workers overseas. The declaration highlighted the plight of these workers, who face mistreatment by employers, no protections, low pay, a lack of health insurance, no right to join a union and inexplicable wage cuts.
The difficulties faced by women in participating in the country鈥檚 economic development were also highlighted.
鈥淪tructural violence is occurring regularly, but the public institutions continue to adhere to patriarchal culture. Women, due to domestic work obligations, have limited access to public employment.
鈥淚nfrastructures and public security services give no consideration to women鈥檚 participation鈥 and women continue to feel insecure when working at night 鈥渁nd insecure on the streets at anytime鈥.
The declaration criticised what it described as the Timor-Leste government鈥檚 focus on 鈥渃olonial and capitalist development鈥 for revenue gain via investment in 鈥渕ega projects鈥, while neglecting health, education and agriculture.
It raised concern about the project (involving the construction of a refinery, LNG plant and supply base on land currently used for agriculture along Timor Leste鈥檚 southern coastline) and other projects, that are benefitting 鈥渙nly a few鈥 and which 鈥渙ffer no benefits to the majority of the people鈥.
The declaration concluded with a criticism of Timor鈥檚 reliance on oil revenues.
The conference called on civil society groups to take action, including: to 鈥渆mpower communities and turn them into actors of development and actors of social accountability鈥; to watch and guard the development of democracy and human rights; and to continue the fight for justice for past and present human rights abuses.
It also called on the Timor-Leste government to ratify the international convention on enforced disappearance of persons; enact laws to protect domestic workers; reconsider 鈥渂ad practices鈥 in the use of petroleum revenue funds; and invest more in public education, health and sanitation.
The conference called on the Indonesian government to stop human rights violations in West Papua, respect West Papuans鈥 aspirations and allow international observers and assistance into the region to address people鈥檚 suffering.
Finally, it offered support and solidarity with the national liberation movements in Western Sahara, West Papua, Palestine, Kurdistan, Bougainville, Kanaky, Hawaii, Patani and Maluku as part of the struggle 鈥渢o uphold human rights and self determination鈥.