Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – Members of the Indonesia-Timor Leste Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) may decide by vote if gross violations of human rights occurred before and after the 1999 referendum in East Timor if they fail to reach a consensus on the matter.

CTF co-chairman from Timor Leste Dionisio Babo Soares said the commission would consider the stance and opinions of individual members to determine the commission's final conclusions.

The commission's report is due to be submitted to the Indonesian and Timor Leste governments in January.

"We are now discussing the substance of the report so I can't say if we have made a decision on whether or not gross human rights violations were committed at the time. If we fail to reach a consensus then we will vote," Soares told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

He said as each commissioner's opinion was important, the CTF would include notes on the opinions of individuals in the report to demonstrate to the public the democratic decision-making process the commission follows.

After almost two years of work, the CTF is moving closer toward submitting its conclusions about alleged human rights abuses in Timor Leste, with the final public hearing held last Wednesday.

The hearing featured the testimonies of Lt. Gen. (ret) Kiki Syahnakri, the East Timor province military commander in 1999, and Col. Aris Martono, who headed an army battalion deployed to the province that year.

CTF commissioners are currently attending a series of meetings to conclude Tuesday, during which the substance of the commission's final report will be discussed.

The report is to be based on public hearings, submissions, research and document reviews.

CTF co-chairman from Indonesia Benjamin Mangkoedilaga said the report had to be completed by its January deadline to avoid criticism, as the commission had already been granted a year-long extension.

"Whatever happens, we must finish the report by January as more delays will only invite public criticism. At this stage, we must decide first whether gross human rights violations occurred based on our hearings and reviews before moving to other matters, such as determining which party was responsible," he told the Post.

Benjamin also refused to comment on whether the commission had made a decision on the occurrence of gross human rights violations in the former Indonesian province.

During the public hearings, several witnesses testified that they were tortured or that members of their families were killed by armed civilians supported by the Indonesian military.

Kiki Syahnakri, who was also the martial law commander in East Timor in 1999, confirmed at Wednesday's hearing that Timor Leste civilians armed and trained by the TNI had formed people's self defense groups known as wanra, which are still recognized in defense law. However, he maintained the military and police were not involved in human rights violations.

International relations expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Bantarto Bandoro said if the CTF report denied the occurrence of gross human rights violations in East Timor it would be met with harsh criticism from the international community.

He also said if such a decision was made, the credibility of the commission would be at risk, casting further doubt on improving relations between the Indonesian and Timor Leste governments.

"If the CTF report concludes that human rights violations occurred, then both governments must follow up on the commission's recommendations with actions. But if the commission fails to establish that gross human rights violations occurred, the UN should take over the investigation," he told the Post.

In July, the UN prohibited its officials from testifying at the commission due to the fact the CTF was given the mandate to recommend individuals for amnesty.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said last Friday that the CTF should again summon former officials of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) to testify.