Dili – About 300 East Timorese called for an international tribunal to try soldiers accused of human rights violations as they marked the 30th anniversary of Indonesia's invasion of the tiny territory.
The protesters marched through the capital Dili, waving banners and shouting slogans demanding justice for victims of the occupation.
"We will continue to cry for justice on behalf of the victims and this is the time for criminal actors to be brought to an international court," said one protester, who asked not to be named.
"There are many problems facing the nation and people of Timor Leste, but we believe that the people will never forget what happened 30 years ago and what they have gone through," he said.
Indonesia invaded East Timor on Dec. 7, 1975, after Portuguese colonizers disbanded the territory. Jakarta's move was never recognized by the United Nations.
The protesters also denounced the August creation of the Commission of Truth and Friendship by Indonesia and East Timor aimed at coming to terms with past bloodshed.
"The people will patiently fight for justice and fight leaders whose policies are against human rights principles," another protester told AFP.
The commission has said it plans to talk to former East Timorese rebel leaders, top Indonesian military officers and former pro-Jakarta militiamen.
Militia gangs, which the United Nations has said were recruited and directed by Indonesia's military, went on an arson and killing spree before and after East Timorese voted for independence in a UN-sponsored ballot in August 1999.
They killed about 1,400 independence supporters and laid waste to much of the infrastructure in the half-island.
An Indonesian court set up to try military officers and officials for atrocities in East Timor has been labeled a sham by critics. Of the 18 people tried, 17 have now been acquitted and one is still appealing.
East Timor gained full independence in May 2002 after more than two years of United Nations stewardship.
The East Timorese government opposes calls for an international tribunal for suspects, saying the priority is reconciliation with its giant neighbor.
Documents released last week in the United States showed that US officials were aware of Indonesia's invasion plans nearly a year in advance but adopted "a policy of silence".
A separate East Timorese commission of inquiry into human rights abuses that occurred between 1975 and 1999 produced a 2,500 page report with recommendations for action which have yet to be publicly released.
East Timor president Xanana Gusmao handed the report to his parliament late last month but wanted it withheld from the public, amid an outcry from opposition politicians and rights activists.