Publication

This paper examines human rights in East Timor during the United Nations Transitional Administration (UNTAET) and the first years of the independent Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. Following a brief background on the history of the conflict in East Timor, the study focuses on three topics: human rights in institution building, post-conflict reconstruction, and human rights and transitional justice. It concludes that UNTAET succeeded in building the necessary institutions for an independent state within the first two and a half years, although some areas, especially the justice sector, continue to experience serious difficulties.