Geneva – Human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) has said that the human rights situation in East Timor is "extremely serious".

A AI report to be presented at the 53rd. session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission currently being held in Geneva added that many of the human rights violations could be averted if Jakarta had accepted the presence of human rights organisations in East Timor.

The document also makes references to other areas such as Algeria, Colombia, Nigeria and Turkey.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed it one year later in a move not recognized y the United Nations that still regards Portugal as the territory's administering power.

Lisbon demands that East Timor be given the right to self-determination.

In 1996, East Timorese Bishop D. Ximenes Belo and activist Jose Ramos Horta were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to peacefully solve the conflict in the territory.