Indonesian occupation of East Timor

Quick Facts: Who was Indonesian occupation of East Timor?

Subject:

Indonesian occupation of East Timor

Known for:

The brutal, protracted Indonesian military occupation (1975–1999) of Portuguese East Timor.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Indonesian occupation of East Timor began in December 1975 and lasted until October 1999. After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in East Timor, the 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal led to the decolonisation of its former colonies, creating instability in East Timor and leaving its future uncertain. After a small-scale civil war, the pro-independence Fretilin declared victory in the capital city of Dili and declared an independent East Timor on 28 November 1975. Following the "Balibo Declaration" that was signed by representatives of Apodeti, UDT, KOTA and the Trabalhista Party on 30 November 1975, Indonesian military forces invaded East Timor on 7 December 1975, and by 1979 they had all but destroyed the armed resistance to the occupation. On 17 July 1976, Indonesia formally annexed East Timor as its 27th province and declared the province of Timor Timur (East Timor).

Career & Major Achievements

Immediately after the invasion, the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council passed resolutions condemning Indonesia's actions in East Timor and calling for its immediate withdrawal from the territory. Although the United States, Japan, Canada and Malaysia, also supported the Indonesian government, Australia and Indonesia were the only nations in the world which recognised East Timor as a province of Indonesia, and began negotiations to divide resources found in the Timor Gap. For twenty-four years, the Indonesian government subjected the people of East Timor to routine and systematic torture, sexual slavery, internment, forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, massacres, and deliberate starvation. The 1991 Santa Cruz massacre caused outrage around the world and reports of other such killings were numerous. Resistance to Indonesian rule remained strong, and in 1996 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to two men from East Timor, Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José Ramos-Horta, for their ongoing efforts to peacefully end the occupation.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A 1999 vote to determine East Timor's future resulted in an overwhelming majority in favour of independence, and in 2002 East Timor became an independent nation. The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor estimated the number of deaths during the occupation from famine and violence to be between 90,800 and 202,600, including between 17,600 and 19,600 violent deaths or disappearances, out of a 1999 population of approximately 823,386. The truth commission held Indonesian forces responsible for initiating the conflict, and about 70% of the violent killings. After the 1999 vote for independence, paramilitary groups working with the Indonesian military undertook a final wave of violence during which most of the country's infrastructure was destroyed. The Australian-led International Force for East Timor restored order, and following the departure of Indonesian forces from East Timor, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor administered the territory for two years, establishing a Serious Crimes Unit to investigate and prosecute crimes committed in 1999.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1974: 1974 Milestone — After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in East Timor, the 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal led to the decolonisation of its former colonies, creating instability in East Timor and leaving its future uncertain.
2. 1975: 1975 Milestone — The Indonesian occupation of East Timor began in December 1975 and lasted until October 1999.
3. 1976: 1976 Milestone — On 17 July 1976, Indonesia formally annexed East Timor as its 27th province and declared the province of Timor Timur (East Timor).
4. 1991: 1991 Milestone — The 1991 Santa Cruz massacre caused outrage around the world and reports of other such killings were numerous.
5. 1996: 1996 Milestone — Resistance to Indonesian rule remained strong, and in 1996 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to two men from East Timor, Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José Ramos-Horta, for their ongoing efforts to peacefully end the occupation.
6. 1999: 1999 Milestone — A 1999 vote to determine East Timor's future resulted in an overwhelming majority in favour of independence, and in 2002 East Timor became an independent nation.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Indonesian occupation of East Timor

True or False: “Did the United States and Japan immediately recognize East Timor as an independent nation following the 1975 invasion?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Only Australia and Indonesia initially recognized East Timor as a province of Indonesia; other nations condemned the actions.

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