Difficult Birth of a Nation:  

1999 Calamities in East Timor

In spite of pre-ballot intimidation by militia groups (with links to the Indonesia military), 98.6% of those registered voted in the 30 August 1999 popular consultation – 78.5% of whom rejected Indonesia’s offer of autonomy. The pro-integration militias responded with a campaign of systematic and widespread violence. An unknown number of people died (estimates range between 1,000 to 2,000). At least half the population was internally displaced and there was widespread destruction of property and infrastructure. Approximately 250,000 fled or were forcibly removed to Indonesian West Timor.

In the face of concern from the international community about the widespread human rights violations taking place, Indonesia announced on 12 September 1999 that it would accept a UN-sanctioned multinational peacekeeping force. INTERFET, authorised by the UN Security Council deployed from 22 September 1999 to halt the violence and provide humanitarian relief.

Indonesia formally endorsed Timor-Leste’s secession on 20 October 1999. The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established by UN Security Council resolution on 25 October 1999. The UN relinquished responsibility for administering East Timor when it became fully independent on 20 May 2002.