A/HRC/19/17 entailed rights and obligations, the latter being clearly related to the promotion and protection of human rights. It was noted that such rights are interdisciplinary and interdependent in nature, and concern all levels of government. Timor-Leste highlighted the enormous efforts required to comply with the objectives that in had set itself. 8. It was added that Timor-Lest is one of the few examples in the world where the selfdetermination of a people was accomplished simultaneously with the building of the State, based on the rule of law, democratic principles and respect for human rights. An example given was the ratification of numerous international human rights conventions immediately after the adoption of the Constitution. 9. It was recalled that the majority of the country’s infrastructure, both State and private, had been in ruins, and this was less than 10 years ago. Timor-Leste stated that in this context it was with great satisfaction that the national report was being presented, as it was aware both of what had already been accomplished and of what remained to be done. 10. Timor-Leste then noted that, in the context of its regular diplomatic exchanges with other countries, international organizations and more concretely through the UPR process, it has been questioned regarding what measures it would adopt concerning the human rights violations that occurred during the period of the Indonesian occupation and that following the referendum. 11. Regarding this issue, Timor-Leste thanked all for their contributions and their concern, noting that those persons who have come before the Council were also victims in the past and have themselves lost leaders, family members, friends and companions. It asked whether everyone, Timor-Leste as well as the international community, was prepared to raise the issue of an invasion which all know was carried out with the collusion of third countries. It asked further if we were prepared to investigate the external financing of the invasion and the arms sales to the oppressing country. 12. Timor-Leste stated that it was now enjoying the longest period of peace and stability since its independence. It added that a situation of social peace, although still fragile, would be put at risk if the country went forward, at this moment with these accusations. TimorLeste and its society needed to grow in many different arenas, before being in a position to confront its historical past in a dignified and courageous manner. It added that, unfortunately, this moment had not yet arrived. Timor-Leste clarified that with regards to the dichotomy of oppressor/victims, it had been developing and implementing several programmes in support of victims through its Law on Combatants, which grants pensions to former combatants, their widows and family members. 13. It was also noted that Timor-Leste and Indonesia had made efforts to normalize their bilateral relations, which should be based on mutual respect and friendship. Timor-Leste stressed that it cannot and should not antagonize its closest neighbour, and that it had created mechanisms for diplomatic dialogue which would permit past wounds to heal, leading to a more promising future. 14. Regarding appeals to Timor-Leste to ratify additional international human rights conventions and instruments, it was indicated that these have largely been accepted with the ratification of seven human rights conventions and their incorporation into national law. Timor-Leste stated that it considered implementation, in a manner consistent with already ratified instruments, to be more important than acceding to new conventions. 15. It was indicated that the universal periodic review process had given the country a better understating of its internal situation in the field of human rights. It was through the establishment of a team composed of human rights officers and specialists from various Ministries and national organizations under the coordination of the Ministry of Justice that 4