Waging Peace:  Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor)

Go to: Monitoring Elections | Strengthening Communities and Rule of Law | Strengthening Civil Society

After four centuries of Portuguese rule, 24 years of Indonesian occupation, and two years of United Nations administration, East Timor gained independence on May 20, 2002. The Carter Center has been closely involved with the birth of this first new nation of the 21st century.

During the U.N.-administered transition period, East Timor made progress toward consolidating democracy. With the support of the international community, East Timor has experienced two successful elections, drafted and ratified a constitution, and begun to create important institutions needed to establish a strong, sustainable democracy, including a formal legal system and active civil society.

Monitoring Elections

The 1999 Public Consultation
The Carter Center began its involvement in East Timor in June 1999, when President Carter, leading an international observer mission for Indonesia's parliamentary elections, met with detained East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao in Jakarta, who expressed his concerns for the safety of the East Timorese people during the consultation period and his belief that international observation would be essential to the safe conduct of the ballot. Given East Timor's long history of oppression and the presence of pro-integration militia, there was concern that militia would create an atmosphere of intimidation prior to the vote. The Carter Center mission, therefore, focused on monitoring the political and security environment prior to, during, and after balloting.

After receiving an invitation from Indonesian President Habibie, The Carter Center was accredited as the first international observer group and opened an office in East Timor's capital of Dili to monitor the Aug. 30 public consultation. Read full text >

Election Reports

View Carter Center election reports for Timor-Leste >

Strengthening Communities and Rule of Law

From December 2001 through March 2002, the Center implemented a project to strengthen the links between communities, local organizations, and the police and the courts in East Timor. The project sought to promote good governance, accountability of public institutions through the dissemination of public information to citizens, and the work of local organizations at the grassroots level.

The Center also conducted several one-day training workshops addressing rule of law and rights, civilian policing in East Timor, police authority, and the role of local organizations in promoting a positive relationship between police and citizens.

Strengthening Civil Society

As a component of its overall program to support the growth of democracy in East Timor, The Carter Center administered several small grants to East Timorese nongovernmental organizations in an effort to contribute to building a stronger civil society. Through these small grants, the Center supported the establishment of the Association of Men Against Violence and supported two women's civic education workshops in Dili district organized by the Grupo Feto Foin Sae Timor Lora Sae.

The Center's work in East Timor was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives, the government of Portugal, and the Ford Foundation.