Maulau-Maubisse, August 7, 2026 – The Centro Nacional Chega! I.P., in collaboration with local authorities and community members from ten sub-villages: Aihosan, Hatolete, Hahimau, Hatocade, Lacamalicao, Lumoluli, Maleria, Rita, Tarabula, and Ussululi—in Maulau village, Administrative Post of Maubisse, Ainaro Municipality, organized a ceremony to raise the national flag in honor of over 50 martyrs of the nation who lost their lives during the Maulau Massacre.
The ceremony was inspected by Virgilio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’, the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ). In his remarks, he highlighted that the 51st commemoration of the Maulau Massacre, which occurred from August 7-9, 1975, is considered a tragic event. The raising of the national flag serves as a symbol that officializes the long struggles faced by the people of Maulau, from the civil war to the Indonesian invasion (1974-1999).
Virgilio explained that even after 51 years, the reconciliation process between the victims and perpetrators of FRETILIN and UDT, held on August 6, 2026, allowed them to sit together and speak about truth, repentance, and forgiveness. This act serves as a courageous example for community members in Maulau village as they seek mutual dialogue and reconciliation in front of their children and grandchildren.
“We were not only brave in war, fighting to defend our land, but we have also shown courage in collectively seeking forgiveness for the conflicts that occurred between 1974-1999. This bravery exemplifies the people of Maulau. Unfortunately, we have not witnessed this kind of expression from our great political parties and leaders,” Virgilio remarked during the flag-raising ceremony held at the Maulau village headquarters on Friday, August 7, 2026.
He reiterated that those who died between 1974-1999 are martyrs of the nation. Their sacrifices led to independence. Today, we commemorate 51 years of their sacrifices and continue the reconciliation process concerning internal conflicts, particularly the civil war. This act of reconciliation is not only significant for the Maulau communities but also serves as a model for all of Timor-Leste.
In regard to the successful peace dialogue process, Virgilio, as the ceremony inspector, urged all registered political parties—not just FRETILIN and UDT—to participate in the 2027 Presidential Election and the 2028 Parliamentary Election. He emphasized that these parties should engage in the democratization process and use lessons learned from past conflicts as references for political communication to prevent future conflicts.
To continue these legacies, political parties should present their policy programs to the public during their campaigns. They must clarify what they will implement if they win the election. To prevent hostilities, they must avoid provoking or inciting violence based on party lines. Political parties should act as instruments for governance as well as tools for political education for all people.
The 51st Commemoration of the Maulau Massacre was attended by various dignitaries, including Céu Brites, the Vice Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (V-MSSI), representative from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, representative from the Ministry of Education, representative from the Ministry of the Interior, representative from the Ainaro Municipal Authority, the Timorese Reconciliation Process Working Group (GT-PRT), security authorities, students, youth, community members, and other entities.
>>>> READ TETUM VERSION
