In East Timor’s first democratic elections, the Revolutionary Front for the Independence of East Timor (Fretilin) was swept into power, winning 55 of the 88 seats in the Constituent Assembly. Women candidates from various parties did better than expected, winning 24 seats.

The vote took place on 30 August 2001; two years to the day after the historic `Popular Consultation` when the East Timorese opted to separate from Indonesia. More than 91 percent of registered voters turned out in the latest poll, which was overwhelmingly peaceful. The Social Democratic Party and the Democratic Party gained half a dozen seats each. A Fretilin splinter group, the Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT), led by one of Fretilin´s founders, also did well.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General has appointed a cabinet. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri will now oversee tricky negotiations on the constitution, which needs to be drafted in preparation for Independence Day, 20 May 2002. The UN Security Council met in late October to finalise its plans for slimming down the UN administration in East Timor.

(Source Timor-link, Jan 2002)

The establishment of a Truth- and Reconciliation Commission
East Timor established its own Truth- and Reconciliation Commission on January 21, 2002. The island is still struggling to overcome deep and intense divisions within society as a result of 25 years of political unrest, repression and gross human rights violations. The Commission is to investigate political crimes and murders committed under Indonesian rule since 1975. By establishing the truth concerning the death of almost 200 000 people, the Commission will attempt to bring about lasting reconciliation and nation building