Brussels, 08/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Portuguese Presidency on behalf of the European Union made the following declaration in East Timor:
"The European Union welcomes the publication of the report by the International Commission of Inquiry on gross violations of fundamental human rights and humanitarian law in East Timor. The international community, through the United Nations system, has a responsibility to ensure that such violations are investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice. The EU also welcomes the publication of the report by the Indonesian Human Rights Commission into the allegations of human rights abuses in East Timor as another important element in the future efforts of the Government of Indonesia to bring those judged responsible for such violations to justice. Accountability for such crimes would provide the best basis for democratic stability and lasting reconciliation. The EU will keep the follow up to these reports under due consideration.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and Iceland and Liechtenstein, EFTA countries members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration."