Abstract
This paper outlines the context in which many thousands of people went missing
in Timor-Leste between 1975 and 1999. The issues related to estimating the
exact number of missing are discussed, followed by a review of the mechanisms
implemented by the government and civil society since independence to attempt to
examine and investigate the fate of missing persons. The paper then examines the
technical issues involved with searching for the missing and the impact those issues
have on the effectiveness of the implemented mechanisms. Further complexities
related to scientific and religious and cultural beliefs when dealing with the missing
are discussed. The paper concludes with questioning the to date ad hoc approach to
the search for the missing in Timor-Leste, and providing suggestions for ways that
the future search for the missing can realistically continue in light of other competing
development priorities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 10 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1 - 14 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Stability: international journal of security and development |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |