‘’But we knew we were not alone. We knew we had the support of the UN and other countries.’’
By Ian Mannix (UN)
Gleno, August 14, 2019 - Families, friends and colleagues of the United Nations in Timor-Leste gathered at Gleno to commemorate 15 people who died while assisting The United Nations Mission in East Timor during the period of the Popular Consultation in 1999.
The UN in Timor-Leste held a remembrance event at the District Monument of the Heroes of the Fatherland at Ermera, which is also the grave of Ana Xavier da Conceição Lemos, at Gleno, near Ermera, on August 14.
Ana Lemos was one of 15 people who were working for the UN when they were killed in the August-September period, 1999.
Members of the families of those who died were brought to Gleno by the UN and were joined by the President of the Municipality of Ermera, Jose Martines Soares, local members of Parliament Elvina Sousa Carvalho and Ernesto Fernandes “DUDU” and The Principal of the Ana Lemos School, Luciano Babo.
The United Nations in Timor-Leste has been a development partner since 2012, when the last peace keepers departed. It has been supporting the families since their loved ones were killed in the violence around the Popular Consultation, with the first death of a UNAMET employee recorded on August 8, 1999.
The President of Ermera Municipality, Jose Martines Soares, thanked the families who: ''...suffered tremendously at the time and ever since.''
‘’The people of Ermera dedicate at this monument a future of peace and unity.’’
‘’I want to thank the United Nations and I ask that you continue to support Ermera. We have many young people and they need support for education and health.’’
‘’At Ermera until two years ago we were still in conflict about misunderstandings and who was a suspect and who was a victim. We brought members of all five political parties together at the monument for peace and reconciliation at Ermera and they agreed they would no longer look for conflict.
‘’And now today we declare those differences are at an end. The people of Ermera are a new generation and they look to the future with unity, in peace, for development.’’
Rivelino Lemos, Ana Lemos son, recalled how his mother talked about the need for sacrifice.
The son of Ana Lemos, Rivelino, quoted the first Prime Minister of East Timor (from 28 November to 7 December 1975) Nicolou Labato: ‘’In 1999 we got to realise our long dream of independence. We must never forget that the people who died were ordinary simple Timorese people.
‘’I don’t remember much about my mother but I know what her last words to me were a few weeks before she died…she said: One needs to sacrifice for the future of their country.
‘’I want to thank the United Nations for enabling us to remember her today.
‘’This was a fight of ordinary people, and many died.
‘’But we knew we were not alone. We knew we had the support of the UN and other countries.’’
Ernest Fernandez ''Dudu,'' veteran and now an MP said he was delighted the UN had created this event. ‘’Because of the UN we are alive. Today we have independence. Thank you UN for commemorating these local people who died serving UNAMET.’’
The Head of the UN Human Rights Office in Timor-Leste, Anjet Lanting, read the names of the woman and 14 men who died. (See full speech for names)
‘’It was our UNAMET staff who ensured that the Timorese could exercise their freedom to express themselves, and to vote, either to assert self-determination or integration with Indonesia,’’ Ms Lanting said.
‘’UNAMET derived its authority from the UN Security Council, to organize the Popular Consultation, as foreseen in the 5 May 1999 agreement signed by Indonesia, Portugal and the UN.
‘’Many UNAMET risked their lives, being intimidated or attacked while serving the UN mission.
‘’This has been documented in detail by the Timor-Leste Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation – the CAVR. It has also been described in a report commissioned by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights titled “East Timor 1999, Crimes Against Humanity”.
‘’These two key documents describe how UNAMET staff, along many others, were the targets of violence by militia, and Indonesian police and army, pre- and post-Popular Consultation.
‘’Fifteen UNAMET staff brought the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives.
‘’It was here in Ermera that the first victims died after the voting, and both of them were UNAMET staff.
‘’And it was here in Ermera that five of the 15 UNAMET staff lost their lives.
‘’Along with great sadness about the loss of our colleague, we express pride for the service they gave to the United Nations.'
Roy Trivedy gives thanks after receiving a tais from Rivelino Lemos on behalf of all the families who thanked the UN for their support.
The Resident Coordinator, Roy Trivedy thanked the families for the sacrifice which he said: ‘’has never been forgotten.’’
‘’We must remind those who feel that power grows out of the barrel of a gun and at the end of a knife, that they are wrong, that the most powerful force on earth, is the power of love, the power of the human spirit,’’ Mr Trivedy said.
‘’Today we honor the sacrifice of these 15 Timorese men and women, fathers and mothers, sisters and friends, by giving life to the mission and the values of the United Nations.’' Full speech.
Families place flowers in tribute to those who died.