Dili – A UN team probing the violence that erupted in East Timor earlier this year is on track to complete its report by next month, the commissioners said Wednesday on their second visit to the tiny nation.
The team had spent the past 10 days reviewing information gathered by investigators as well as interviewing key individuals ahead of their departure this week, said Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, one of the three commissioners.
At the request of East Timor's government, the commission is tasked with establishing facts relating to violence that hit the impoverished nation in April and May and clarifying who was responsible. It will also recommend measures to ensure accountability for crimes and rights violations committed then.
"The report will be submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the national parliament of Timor-Leste within the three-month timeframe foreseen for the work of the Commission, that is, on or about 7 October," Pinheiro told a press briefing.
The commission has an international team of 12 criminal and human rights investigators and legal advisors working with it. Pinheiro said about 200 witnesses have been interviewed and more than 3,000 documents collected from various institutions.
"We strongly hope and trust that the representatives of the government and all relevant institutions will give serious consideration to our recommendations, and utilize the report as a step towards reinforcing the institutions of the country," he said. He added that the commission hoped the report would be made available to the public in a readily accessible form.
East Timor asked the UN to set up the inquiry after the nation descended into chaos in April and May, with at least 21 left dead in two waves of violence that initially flared as sacked soldiers held protests.
That mayhem descended into factional fighting within the security forces and ethnic street battles which led to at least 150,000 people fleeing their homes. More than 3,000 foreign peacekeepers had to be deployed to restore calm.