Last year, the plans were being made for the celebration of the June 26 International Day in support of Victims of Torture, when the crisis broke out. The initial plans--which involved a march around the capital city and a concert, a print and broadcast campaign, floral offerings and lighting of candles in the districts--had to be aborted. Unfortunately, in 2006, the country was too troubled to observe this significant day.

Nevertheless, the occasion was clearly considered important enough to count in the steering committee representatives from various Government ministries such as Defense, Education, Health, Labor and Community Reinsertion, the National Police, media and organizations involved in human rights, including the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC). No less than the Office of the Human Rights Advisor of the Prime Minister convened the committee.

It is good news, therefore, that this year, the Day was finally observed across the country. On June 26, 2007, condemnation of torture echoed throughout Timor-Leste through various activities. Seminars and campaign materials called for joint efforts of Government and civil society to stop torture. In the districts of Dili, Baucau, Lautem, Covalima and Bobonaro, speakers representing national & local Government offices, police, the UN, and the NGO and religious sectors discussed how Government and civil society can prevent torture and support survivors of torture and families of victims.

Dili residents witnessed a variety of special activities such as radio and TV talk shows, a film-showing and an educational exhibit. Campaign materials in the form of stickers, brochures, t-shirts and banners, on the other hand, were distributed in Dili and throughout the districts.

In Viqueque, Lautem, Ainaro, Covalima, and Bobonaro, masses were held to remember victims of torture, followed by ceremonial floral offerings. A sports competition to raise awareness about torture was also organized in Viqueque.

Timor Leste ratified the UN Convention Against Torture in December 2002, and acceded to it in April 2003. Since then, commemorative activities for the June 26 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture have been promoted annually by ICMC’s USAID-funded Survivors of Torture Program in collaboration with partners in the Government, NGOs and religious organizations. Contributors to the 2007 commemorative activities included USAID, UNDP and the Office of the Human Rights Advisor of the Prime Minister.