Timor-Leste


This country page describes, in brief, data that TJET has compiled on regime transitions, intrastate conflict episodes, and transitional justice mechanisms. For details on the data included on this page, view the FAQ.

For Timor-Leste, TJET has collected information on: three amnesties between 2001 and 2007; 29 domestic trials starting between 1999 and 2019; 80 international trials starting between 2000 and 2004; three truth commissions mandated between 2001 and 2006; and one vetting policy starting in 2006.

Select any transitional justice mechanism in the table below to view a timeline in the figure.


Country Background

Democratic Transition

Based on well-known democracy data, TJET records one democratic transition starting in 2002.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.

Violent Conflict

Based on the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, TJET records no episodes of violent intrastate conflict in Timor-Leste between 1970 and 2020.


Transitional Justice Data

As of 2020, Timor-Leste ranks 114th out of 174 on TJET’s legacy of violence index. For a full list of country rankings over time, view the index page, and for an explanation of the index, view the Methods & FAQs page.


Amnesties

Timor-Leste had three amnesties between 2001 and 2007. Two were passed after internal armed conflict. One amnesty released political prisoners. One amnesty forgave human rights violations.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Domestic Trials

TJET has compiled data on 25 domestic prosecutions between 2002 and 2020. These include 22 regular human rights prosecutions of state agents, in which eleven persons were convicted; and three opposition prosecutions of state agents or opposition members, in which five persons were convicted.

Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


International or Hybrid Trials

Nationals of Timor-Leste were subject to 43 international prosecutions between 2002 and 2005, which led to 51 convictions.

Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Truth Commissions

Timor-Leste mandated three truth commissions in 2001, 2005, and 2006. The commissions completed their operations in 2005, 2008, and 2006. The commissions issued final reports, which are publicly available. The reports included recommendations for prosecutions, reparations, and institutional reforms.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Vetting Policies

Timor-Leste had one vetting policy, starting in 2006; TJET found no information on whether or when the policy ended. This policy provided sanctions based on past individual conduct.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


UN Investigations

Timor-Leste was subject to two UN investigations between 2005 and 2006. One investigation aimed to encourage domestic prosecutions.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


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