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Dili, 5 February 2020
Press Release
Vote of Condolences for the Death of James Stanley Dunn
It was with great dismay and great regret that the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste received the news of the death of James Dunn, Australian consul in Dili between 1962 and 1964. James Dunn died on January 31, aged 92, in Canberra, Australia.
James Dunn was a staunch supporter of the self-determination of the Timorese people, with his February 1977 report and his 1983 book, Timor: A People Betrayed, in which he detailed serious human rights violations which occurred during the Indonesian occupation, and which served as a basis and inspiration for activists and advocates of the Timorese cause and allowed to attract the attention of the international community, especially the Australian Parliament, American Congress and the United Nations.
His work in defense of the rights of the Timorese people was recognized in his country in 2001, having become a Member of the Order of Australia and in Timor-Leste on 30 August 2009, with the award of the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste, by the then President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, on behalf of the Timorese People, sends condolences to James Dunn’s family and the thanks of a nation forever grateful.
The Minister of State and Government Spokesman, Agio Pereira, said that James Dunn will not be forgotten in Timor-Leste and will forever be remembered with great affection, admiration and respect. In this moment of sadness, we mourn his death, but we celebrate his contribution. ENDS