UN Security Council resolution 1236

Security Council Resolution 1236
Date:	1999
Meeting:	3998
Identifier:	s / RES / 1236 (1999) ( document )
Poll:	Pro: 15  Ent. : 0  Cons: 0
Object:	Situation in East Timor
Result:	accepted

Resolution 1236 of the UN Security Council was on 7. May 1999 having regard to the previous resolutions of the Security Council on East Timor ( 384 and 389 ) and General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV), 1541 (XV), 2625 (XXV) and the resolutions of the General Assembly on the East Timor question, in particular resolution 37/30 adopted. The United Nations thus decided that an independence referendum should be held in East Timor on its future.

background

In 1974 Indonesia occupied the previous colony of Portuguese Timor when it was in the process of gaining independence. Since then, a guerrilla war has raged between East Timorese and Indonesians, who annexed the country in 1975 in violation of international law. 183,000 people died directly and indirectly as a result of the occupation. In 1999 the former colonial powers Portugal and Indonesia agreed to hold an independence referendum on the country's future. But already at the beginning of 1999 pro-Indonesian militias ( Wanra ) began to intimidate the population through violence.

The resolution

Symbol on the ballot for the complete independence of East Timor

Symbol on the ballot paper for autonomy within Indonesia

The Security Council welcomes the result of the talks between the governments of Portugal and Indonesia under the leadership of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which led to the agreement of an independence referendum in East Timor on May 5, 1999 in New York (S / 1999/513, Annex I). The agreements between the United Nations and the governments of Indonesia and Portugal on security measures (S / 1999/513, Annex III) and the modalities for a referendum of the East Timorese by direct vote (S / 1999/513, Annex II) are also welcomed. .

The Council took note of the Secretary-General's report (S / 1999/513) and his concerns about the security situation in East Timor. The Council therefore welcomes the Secretary-General's plan to establish a United Nations presence in East Timor in support of the agreements as soon as possible. There the referendum on the acceptance or rejection of the autonomy proposal, according to the agreements, is to be held on August 8, 1999. Civilian police officers are to be dispatched to advise the Indonesian police in East Timor and to protect the ballot boxes during transport to and from the polling stations.

In the period between the announcement of the referendum result and the start of its implementation (autonomy within Indonesia or independence), an adequate presence of the United Nations in East Timor is to be established. The Council stresses the responsibility of the Government of Indonesia to maintain peace and security in East Timor, to hold the vote in a fair and peaceful manner, and to protect UN and other international personnel. The importance of support from the Government of Indonesia is emphasized.

The Council welcomes the establishment of a fund for the voluntary financing of the UN presence in East Timor by the member states of the United Nations and encourages them to do so.

consequences

With Resolution 1246 , the deployment of police and military personnel was decided to East Timor. With Resolution 1257 of the UN Security Council , the referendum had to be postponed to August 30, 1999 due to the worsening situation in East Timor. In it, a clear majority of East Timorese opted for independence from Indonesia, which led to a final wave of violence by the Wanra and Indonesian security forces. 2,000 to 3,000 people were killed and around three quarters of the population of East Timor were on the run or were displaced. With Resolution 1264 of the UN Security Council , the Security Council therefore decided to deploy a military reaction force ( INTERFET ). East Timor came under UN administration ( UNTAET ) until its independence in 2002 .

See also

• History of East Timor