A/HRC/19/17 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its twelfth session from 3 to 14 October 2011. The review of Timor-Leste was held at the 15th meeting, on 12 October 2011. The delegation of Timor-Leste was headed by Ms. Lucia Maria Brandão F. Lobato, Minister of Justice. At its 19th meeting, held on 14 October 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Timor-Leste. 2. On 20 June 2011, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Timor-Leste: Romania, Jordan, and Chile. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Timor-Leste: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/TSL/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/TSL/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/TSL/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was transmitted to Timor-Leste through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Timor-Leste stated that it was proud to be at the Human Rights Council to present its report under the universal periodic review. It recalled that in the conclusions of its report, it stated that the Timorese people’s struggle to gain their independence is, in its essence and in all its dimensions, a struggle for human rights. 6. In order to put the current situation into context, Timor-Leste recalled its history, including the fact that in 2012 it will celebrate its tenth anniversary after 24 years of resistance. It also recalled that in 1975, after 400 years of Portuguese rule, it had unilaterally declared its independence. It was observed that even before its independence was recognized it had been invaded and annexed by Indonesia, leading to widespread human rights violations, as was noted in the stakeholders’ summary. In 1999, following the combined resistance by various actors, a referendum was carried out under the auspices of the United Nations in which 78.5 per cent of the population voted for independence. After the referendum various confrontations took place, caused by armed groups (pro-Indonesian militias) and in this context the international community intervened and installed the United National Transitional Administration for Timor-Leste (UNTAET). In May 2002, TimorLeste declared its independence and in September 2002 was welcomed as a Member State by the United Nations. 7. Timor-Leste stated further that it had always been aware that recognition by the United Nations was not an objective in itself and that its membership in the organization 3