Church still leading light in East Timorese struggle

The church's ability to keep the East Timorese community strong through 25 years of occupation and conflict will also be "instrumental" in helping the poverty-stricken country to move forward, a leading Timorese politician, Fernanda Borges, will tell a UK audience when she visits London on October 14.

Fernanda Borges MP, a committed Christian and East Timor's only female party leader, will also say the British government and the international community can now assist her nation by helping promote accountability for past human rights violations and reparations for the victims of those violations.

She will declare that 'transitional justice' for the victims of the occupation is essential to long-term peace in East Timor and regional stability in South East Asia.

"Attempts to deny or delay justice will only foster political insecurity and sink the Timorese people further into poverty", says Borges. Despite achieving independence in 1999, East Timor is still one of the poorest countries in Asia, with 40% of the population living below the poverty line.

As a six year old, Fernanda witnessed the horrors of war first hand. Now, three decades on, she has been dubbed East Timor's "Iron Lady" for her uncompromising commitment to achieving justice for her people.

"The church has always been a leading light in our struggle and the Catholic value system is still very important to the Timorese people", says Fernanda. "We now need help from Christians worldwide to ensure that justice, respect for human rights and the rule of law are enshrined in the modern day values of our newly independent nation".

Borges will deliver her address, Tipping the scales of justice in a new nation, in support of international development agency Progressio's East Timor: Who Cares? campaign.

The campaign is calling on the UK government to support the development of a Timor-based transitional justice centre to help the East Timorese government promote accountability, which will include the recognition of past atrocities.

Progressio's Executive Director, Christine Allen, said: "East Timor is approaching the 10th anniversary of its 1999 landslide vote for independence. Fernanda Borges is one of the courageous politicians who has sided with the Timorese people to call for justice as an alternative to amnesty and impunity. We must heed her calls and speak out in solidarity with the people of East Timor so that the tenth anniversary of the independence vote can truly be a celebration of justice and hope for the people."

Notes to editors

1. To arrange an interview with Fernanda Borges MP, contact Jo Barrett, Progressio Media Officer, on 0207 288 8619 or 07940703911.

2. Fernanda Borges' keynote address,Tipping the scales of justice in a new nation, will be held on Tuesday 14 October at 7pm in The Aldersgate Room, Central Hall Westminster, Storey's Gate, London, SW1H 9NH. Nearest tube: Westminster.

3. Attendance is free. To confirm your place, please send an email to jo@progressio.org.uk or contact her on 0207 288 8619.

4. Fernanda Borges MP previously worked as East Timor's Minister of Finance during the country's UN transitional administration. Currently, as Chairperson of the Timorese parliament's 'Committee A', which works on human rights and justice issues, Fernanda Borges has been instrumental in leading the implementation of recommendations set out in a pivotal independent report into human rights atrocities committed between 1975 and 1999.