Covers the concluded independence process of Timor-Leste from Portuguese colonial rule through the 1975 declaration, Indonesian invasion and rule, the 1999 popular consultation and UN administration to independence in 2002. It is a historical case: Timor-Leste has been a sovereign state since 2002 and this is not a current independence campaign.
Timor-Leste occupies the eastern part of the island of Timor, colonised by Portugal.[1][2] FRETILIN declared independence on 28 November 1975; Indonesia invaded days later and ruled the territory until 1999 without UN recognition.[3][4][5] In a UN-run ballot on 30 August 1999, 78.5% rejected autonomy within Indonesia, and after UN administration the country became independent on 20 May 2002.[6][7]
History
From Portuguese Timor and the 1975 declaration, through Indonesian invasion and rule, to the 1999 popular consultation, UN administration and independence in 2002.
968 words · 5 min read
· Declaration
After Portugal’s administration withdrew, FRETILIN declared East Timor independent; Indonesia invaded nine days later.
Significance here: The date Timor-Leste’s Constitution marks as its Day of Proclamation of Independence; independence was not internationally recognised until 2002.
· Conflict episode
Indonesian forces invaded East Timor, beginning an occupation that lasted until 1999.
Significance here: Began 24 years of Indonesian rule and armed resistance; the UN called for Indonesia’s withdrawal.
· International resolution
The Security Council recognised East Timor’s right to self-determination and independence and called on Indonesia to withdraw its forces.
Significance here: Set out the UN’s call for Indonesian withdrawal and for East Timorese self-determination; the UN never recognised the later integration.
· Administrative change
Indonesia made East Timor its 27th province; the United Nations never recognised the integration.
Significance here: Indonesia ruled the territory as a province until 1999, while the UN continued to regard Portugal as the administering power.
· Agreement
Indonesia and Portugal asked the UN to consult the East Timorese on special autonomy within Indonesia, and agreed in advance what would follow either result.
Significance here: Created the popular consultation and fixed its consequences: autonomy within Indonesia, or a UN-led transition towards independence.
· Referendum or popular consultation
In a UN-run ballot, 78.5% of voters rejected special autonomy within Indonesia, opening a transition towards independence.
Significance here: The UN-run vote whose result led, through UN administration, to independence in 2002.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: Portugal’s governor made Lifao the official Portuguese settlement on Timor in 1702; in 1769, under siege, the Portuguese abandoned Lifao and founded a new settlement at Dili.
Claim: Portugal and the Netherlands disputed their borders on Timor for a century: a treaty negotiated in 1854 was ratified in 1859, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled on the remaining boundary lines on 25 June 1914, and the final boundary was ratified in The Hague on 17 August 1916.
Claim: FRETILIN declared the independence of East Timor on 28 November 1975.
Claim: Indonesia invaded East Timor on 7 December 1975.
Claim: The United Nations never recognised the integration and continued to regard Portugal as the administering power, while the Security Council and General Assembly called for Indonesia’s withdrawal.
Claim: On 3 September 1999, after the Electoral Commission had certified the results, the Secretary-General announced 94,388 votes (21.5%) in favour of the proposed special autonomy and 344,580 (78.5%) against.
Claim: East Timor became an independent country on 20 May 2002, when UNTAET was succeeded by a UN support mission.
Claim: On 27 September 2002 the General Assembly admitted the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to membership of the United Nations.
Claim: A statistical study prepared for Timor-Leste’s truth commission estimated a minimum of 102,800 (±12,000) conflict-related deaths between 1974 and 1999, made up of about 18,600 killings and 84,200 deaths from hunger and illness above peacetime rates. Attributed to Romesh Silva and Patrick Ball (HRDAG), report to the CAVR (2006)
Claim: On 25 October 1999 the Security Council established the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), with overall responsibility for administering the territory and all legislative and executive authority.