[TimorLesteStudies] Full text of Jennifer Laakso thesis available : Justice, Order and Peacebuilding in Timor-Leste

Fri Aug 1 10:58:57 EST 2008

Dear list subscribers

I recently posted a link for Jennifer Laakso's thesis but it appears that
only Uni Qld staff and students can access the full text. If you would like
a copy of the whole thing please contact Jennifer at the address below. I
will resend the abstract  and Table of Contents for those who missed the
first time.

jenlaakso at gmail.com

Abstract
The question of how the international community should administer justice in
post-conflict situations
has become increasingly urgent. Scholars, practitioners and policymakers
grapple with the puzzle of
why violence recurs in post-conflict nations despite international
peacebuilding efforts. This thesis
contributes to peacebuilding by exploring what the successes and challenges
of Timor-Leste's
transitional justice process reveal about the role of imported and
indigenous mechanisms and processes
in fostering sustainable peace. A qualitative research approach is utilised
in this analysis, involving
interviews with grassroots actors, UN officials and people working with
national or international
nongovernmental organisations in Timor-Leste, in addition to secondary
sources, in order to produce a
new theory of transitional justice. This thesis expands the traditional
notion of transitional justice to
include formal and informal, and retributive and restorative justice
mechanisms, utilising first-hand
information gathered in interviews in Timor-Leste. The result is a
framework, derived from field
research and the literature, which summarises important objectives of
transitional justice in a more
comprehensive way than currently exists. The central argument of this thesis
is that during times of
political transition, a hybrid legal system, which combines local and
introduced justice systems; utilises
indigenous language; and is sensitive to cultural tradition and context is
more likely to promote
sustainable peace than imported systems. In Timor-Leste, traditions of
social ordering and conflict
management processes have remained resilient throughout Portuguese
colonisation, the Indonesian
occupation, the UN transitional administration and in the current
post-independence period. This
thesis argues that it is crucial to engage in ongoing dialogue and
collaboration with the local population,
while fostering multiple, integrated and complementary processes for
addressing justice, human rights
and reconstruction. Although each post-conflict situation is different,
valuable lessons about
mechanisms and processes that could maximise the conditions for sustainable
peace in societies
undergoing transition from violence to peace can be drawn from Timor-Leste's
transitional justice
experience.

Table of contents
Acknowledgements............................................................
.................................................................. iii
Abstract ..
............................................................................
................................................................... v
Table of Contents
............................................................................
.................................................... vi
List of Figures and Tables
............................................................................
........................................ x
Acronyms and
Abbreviations...............................................................
............................................... xi
Translations
............................................................................
............................................................ xiii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND
BACKGROUND................................................ 1
1.1.
Introduction................................................................
...........................................................1
1.2. Research
Question....................................................................
.............................................2
1.3.
Peacebuilding...............................................................
..........................................................3
1.4. Transitional Justice
............................................................................
....................................4
1.5. Types of
Justice.....................................................................
................................................. 5
1.6. Background: Timor-Leste's Political
Transitions.............................................................. 6
1.7. Transitional Justice Mechanisms Utilised in
Timor-Leste............................................... 9
1.8. Methods and Research Design
............................................................................
.............. 10
1.9. Chapter Outline
............................................................................
.......................................15
CHAPTER 2 PEACEBUILDING AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE......................... 18
2.1.
Introduction................................................................
.........................................................18
2.2. Conceptualising Transitional
Justice.....................................................................
............ 18
2.3. Retributive
Approach....................................................................
......................................20
2.3.1. Constitution
Making......................................................................
....................................21
2.3.2. Public Law
............................................................................
..............................................22
2.3.3.
Prosecution.................................................................
.......................................................22
2.3.4. Commissions of
Enquiry.....................................................................
............................. 24
2.3.5. Preface to a Different
Approach....................................................................
................. 25
2.4. Restorative Approach
............................................................................
.............................25
2.4.1.
Reconciliation..............................................................
......................................................27
2.4.2. Truth
Commissions.................................................................
..........................................28
2.4.3. Reparations
............................................................................
.............................................29
2.5. Recognising Legal Pluralism: Local Restoration
Processes........................................... 31
2.6. Challenging the
"Universal".................................................................
.............................. 33
2.7. What is Justice?
............................................................................
........................................ 34
2.8. Blending of Approaches: Justice during Political Transition
........................................ 35
2.9. Functions of, and Reasons for, Transitional
Justice....................................................... 36
2.10. Shortfalls of International Transitional Justice Practice Addressed in
this
Thesis......................................................................
.............................................................. 37
2.11.
Conclusion..................................................................
.........................................................37
CHAPTER 3 LOCAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND JUSTICE PROCESSES
IN
TIMOR-LESTE.................................................................
................... 39
3.1.
Introduction................................................................
.........................................................39
3.2. Timorese Worldview and Social
Structure...................................................................
.... 39
3.2.1. Social Organisation: "Houses" and
Alliances................................................................ 40
3.2.2. Political and Ritual Authorities
............................................................................
............ 41
3.3. The Maintenance of Social Order
............................................................................
......... 43
3.4. Functioning of Local Conflict Management Systems
.................................................... 44
vii
3.5. Local Conflict Management Processes: Findings from
Fieldwork............................... 47
3.6.
Conclusion..................................................................
.........................................................49
CHAPTER 4 PORTUGUESE COLONIALISM AND TIMOR'S TRANSITIONS.... 51
4.1.
Introduction................................................................
.........................................................51
4.2. Coexistence of Justice Systems under the Portuguese
................................................... 51
4.3. Portuguese Recognition of the Utility of Local
Law...................................................... 57
4.4. Portuguese and Timorese Administrative and Legal
Systems....................................... 59
4.5. Role of the Catholic Church during the Portuguese Administration
.......................... 62
4.6. Violence and
Transition..................................................................
....................................63
4.7. Challenges with Parallel Systems
............................................................................
........... 68
4.8. Decentralisation and Subsequent Uprisings
.................................................................... 68
4.9. Major Political Transition Sparked by Decolonisation
.................................................. 76
4.10. Indonesian Intentions and Independence Preparations
................................................ 77
4.11. UDT Coup and Civil War
............................................................................
...................... 79
4.12. The End of Portuguese
Administration..............................................................
............. 80
4.13. Indonesian
Incursions..................................................................
.......................................81
4.14.
Conclusion..................................................................
.........................................................82
CHAPTER 5 INDONESIAN INVASION AND ADMINISTRATION......................... 84
5.1.
Introduction................................................................
.........................................................84
5.2. Indonesian Invasion and the "Provisional Government of East
Timor"................... 84
5.3. Administrative and Legal System during the Indonesian
Administration................... 86
5.4. Atrocity and Alteration
............................................................................
........................... 88
5.5. The
Resistance..................................................................
...................................................90
5.6. Elections, Ceasefire and Relapse to
Violence..................................................................
91
5.7. Administration of Timor
............................................................................
........................ 93
5.8. Indonesian Judicial
System......................................................................
........................... 94
5.9. Prelude to an "Open Province"
............................................................................
............ 94
5.10. Exposure of Indonesian Atrocities and Subsequent
Crackdown................................. 95
5.11. Deciding the Future
............................................................................
................................ 96
5.12. Overwhelming Vote for Independence and Crimes against Humanity
...................... 98
5.13. Role of the Catholic Church during the Indonesian
Administration........................... 99
5.14. Indonesian Policy of
Integration.................................................................
.................... 101
5.15. Personal Accounts of the Indonesian Justice System: Interaction or
Aversion? ..... 103
5.16. Local Perceptions of Informal Justice Mechanisms during the Indonesian
Administration
............................................................................
....................................... 104
5.17.
Conclusion..................................................................
.......................................................105
CHAPTER 6 THE UN
ADMINISTRATION..............................................................
. 107
6.1.
Introduction................................................................
.......................................................107
6.2. The Need for Justice and Reconciliation: Timorese Expectations
............................ 107
6.3. United Nations Missions
............................................................................
...................... 108
6.4. Assessment of the
Situation...................................................................
.......................... 110
6.5. Reconstruction Carried Out by the
UN.........................................................................
111
6.6. Law and Order: External and Internal
Dimensions..................................................... 113
6.7. The Police (PNTL) and the Army (F-FDTL)
............................................................... 115
6.8. The Police
............................................................................
...............................................116
6.9. Challenges Faced by the
Police......................................................................
.................. 118
6.10. Local Perceptions of the
Police......................................................................
................. 120
6.11. The
Army........................................................................
...................................................122
6.12. Challenges Faced by the Army
............................................................................
............ 122
6.13. The Correctional
System......................................................................
............................ 124
6.14. The UN's Impact on, and Interaction with, Timorese Social
Systems...................... 124
6.15. The
Constitution................................................................
................................................127
viii
6.16. Sections of the Constitution Pertaining to Transitional
Justice.................................. 129
6.17. The
Laws........................................................................
....................................................130
6.18. Shift to a Timorese
System......................................................................
......................... 133
6.19.
Conclusion..................................................................
.......................................................134
CHAPTER 7 A RETRIBUTIVE APPROACH: A HYBRID CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM......................................................................
............................. 136
7.1.
Introduction................................................................
.......................................................136
7.2. The
Courts......................................................................
...................................................136
7.3. Judicial Training
............................................................................
.....................................137
7.4. Hybrid Tribunal: Special Panels for Serious Crimes
.................................................... 139
7.4.1. Challenges and
Criticisms..................................................................
............................. 144
7.4.2.
Benefits....................................................................
.........................................................151
7.4.3. Hybrid
Justice.....................................................................
..............................................153
7.5. The Ordinary
Courts......................................................................
................................... 153
7.6. Grassroots Experience with the Court
System............................................................. 155
7.7. Challenges Associated with the Courts
..........................................................................
157
7.8. The Role of NGOs in Fostering Sustainable Peace
..................................................... 164
7.9.
Conclusion..................................................................
.......................................................165
CHAPTER 8 DIVERSE JUSTICE APPROACHES
.................................................... 167
8.1.
Introduction................................................................
.......................................................167
8.2. Ad Hoc Human Rights Court in
Indonesia...................................................................
167
8.2.1. Challenges and Criticisms of the Ad Hoc Human Rights
Court.............................. 170
8.3. The Commission for Reception, Truth and
Reconciliation........................................ 173
8.3.1. Community Reconciliation Process
............................................................................
.. 177
8.3.2. Grassroots Perceptions of the
CAVR........................................................................
.. 179
8.4. CAVR
Report......................................................................
...............................................180
8.4.1. Challenges and Criticisms of the
CAVR......................................................................
182
8.4.2. Benefits of the
CAVR........................................................................
............................. 185
8.5. Commission of Truth and
Friendship..................................................................
.......... 187
8.5.1. Grassroots Perceptions of the
CTF.........................................................................
..... 190
8.5.2. Challenges and Criticisms of the
CTF.........................................................................
. 191
8.5.3. Possible Benefits of the
CTF.........................................................................
................ 192
8.6. Prospects for an International Tribunal
.........................................................................
193
8.6.1. Respondents' Views on an International Tribunal
..................................................... 195
8.7. International Responsibility to Ensure
Justice?............................................................. 197
8.8. Additional Transitional Justice Mechanisms Considered by the Timorese
Government
............................................................................
........................................... 198
8.8.1. Amnesty and
Pardon......................................................................
................................. 198
8.8.2. Reparations
............................................................................
...........................................199
8.8.3. Dialogue with Refugees
............................................................................
......................200
8.9. Potential Transitional Justice Mechanisms
.................................................................... 201
8.10.
Conclusion..................................................................
........................................ 202
CHAPTER 9 THE SIDELINING OF LOCAL
PROCESSES.................................. 204
9.1.
Introduction................................................................
.......................................................204
9.2. The Persistence of Informal Transitional Justice Mechanisms during the
Period under Study
............................................................................
................................ 204
9.3. The UN and Local Justice
............................................................................
.................... 205
9.4. The Timorese Government and Local Justice Systems
............................................... 209
9.5. The Interface of Local and Formal Systems: Practicality in the Absence
of Policy
............................................................................
.................................................. 210
9.5.1. The Interface as Dealt with by the
Police....................................................................
210
9.5.2. The Interface as Dealt with by Court Actors
.............................................................. 213
ix
9.5.3. Limitations of Local Justice Processes
.........................................................................
215
9.5.4. Benefits of Local Justice: Local
Perceptions................................................................
219
9.6. Different Paradigms: Organic and Introduced Justice
Systems.................................. 222
9.7. Respondents' Views: The Relationship between Local and Institutional
Justice..... 224
9.8. Respondents' Ideas for Improving Local
Justice.......................................................... 227
9.9. Merging of Traditions in a Non-Timorese Context: Local Justice and
Crimes
against Humanity
............................................................................
................................... 230
9.10. Engaging with Local Justice for Less Serious Crimes: Policy Options
and
Implications
............................................................................
............................................ 231
9.11. Constitutional Considerations Regarding the Incorporation of Local
Justice.......... 234
9.12. Alternative Dispute Resolution in
Timor-Leste............................................................ 235
9.13. Incorporation of Local Custom in ADR Practice in
Timor-Leste............................. 235
9.14. The Indispensable Role of Local Justice in Timor-Leste
............................................ 237
9.15. Potential Way Forward in
Timor-Leste.................................................................
......... 238
9.16. Potential for Increased UN Engagement with Local Justice in Future
Missions .... 240
9.17.
Conclusion..................................................................
.......................................................241
CHAPTER 10 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................
242
10.1.
Introduction................................................................
.......................................................242
10.2. Genesis of Findings and Arguments
............................................................................
.. 243
10.3. Hearing the Local: Toward Sustainable Peacebuilding in
Timor-Leste..................... 245
10.4. The Way Ahead: Improving Transitional Justice
Mechanisms................................... 246
10.4.1. Acknowledgement of Local Conflict Resolution
Mechanisms............................... 246
10.4.2. Historical Understanding, Including Social Organisation, Worldview
and
Conflict Resolution Practices
............................................................................
.......... 247
10.4.3. Ongoing Dialogue and Collaboration with Local Population
................................ 248
10.4.4. Multiple, Integrated and Complementary Processes for Addressing
Justice,
Human Rights and Reconstruction
............................................................................
249
10.4.5. Foster Long-term Sustainability
............................................................................
...... 250
10.5. A New Approach: Conceptualising Transitional Justice
............................................. 250
10.6.
Conclusion..................................................................
.......................................................253
Appendix A: Map of
Timor-Leste.................................................................
................................. 255
Appendix B: List of
Interviewees................................................................
................................... 256
Appendix C: Interview Questions Trip
1...........................................................................
............ 259
Appendix D: Interview Questions Trip 2
............................................................................
......... 266
Appendix E: Incorporation of Local Justice Processes in Other Contexts
.............................. 277
Bibliography................................................................
....................................................................... 280

Bu Wilson
Regulatory  Institutions Network (RegNet) College of Asia and the Pacific,
RSPAS Australian National University
Canberra   ACT   0200
AUSTRALIA

T: 02 6125 3194
F: 02 6125 1507
M: 0407 087 086
E: Bu.Wilson at anu.edu.au

http://regnet.anu.edu.au

ANU Cricos Provider Code - 00120C  

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