Government participates in national seminar in the context of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Liquiça massacre
The Minister for Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, has confirmed his participation in the national seminary in memory of the victims of the Liquiça massacre on 6 April 1999, to be held on March 25.
This seminar will have as its theme "Long Road to Justice" (Dalan Naruk Ba Justisa) and will be part of the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the Liquiça massacre.
The Liquiçá Massacre occurred five months before the referendum that led to East Timor's independence on August 30, 1999. On April 6, about 2,000 people took refuge in the local church after pro-Indonesian soldiers and militias burn and plunder homes in this county. The church was targeted by the militia and between 30 and 100 people were killed. The Liquiça massacre was the first attack in which militia invaded a church, a place considered hitherto a safe haven.
The representatives of the organizing committee informed the Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs that this event will be an opportunity for the people of Liquiça and for all the guests of other municipalities to reflect on the course of the nation since the day of the national liberation.
The vice president of the organizing committee for the commemoration of the Liquiça massacre, Lucas Soares, said that "we are not victims, because the people have assumed national liberation, but we still have to reflect on the course of the last 20 years and on the long way to justice ".
