The scars of war often run deep, leaving behind a legacy of pain and suffering that can persist for generations. Among the countless atrocities committed during World War II, the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery remains a haunting chapter in history. Recently, for documentation purposes, Timor-Leste with Japanese Coalition have done a survey and shed light on this painful history, revealing the plight of women who were forced into sexual servitude by the Japanese military between the years of 1942 and 1945. In 2005, this harrowing chapter of history was officially recognized by Timor-Leste, in acknowledgement of the experiences of 20 women who endured unimaginable horrors during this dark period.

What makes Timor-Leste a target? To give some historical context, Timor-Leste is a small island nation located in Southeast Asia, one that was not immune to the ravages of World War II. Japanese involvement in World War II started on December 7, 1941, when Japan’s forces attacked the United States military base at Pearl Harbor. At that time, it was predicted among United States' allies that Japan would invade Timor-Leste as a strategic base in order to attack Australia. Based on this prediction, Allied forces, including United States, Australian, and Dutch forces, were deployed to Timor-Leste on December 17, 1941. At that time, Timor-Leste was under Portuguese rule with Governor Manuel Abreu Ferreira de Carvalho, whose administration rejected the presence of the A llied Forces. This made it a strategic target for Japanese forces who were seeking to expand their influence in the Pacific. They stated that East Timor had violated its neutrality, claiming Timor-Leste's support for the allies to justify their invasion of Timor-Leste on February 20, 1942. Subsequently, Japanese troops occupied Timor-Leste from 1942 to 1945, during which time they subjected the local population to various forms of brutality, including the systematic coercion of women into sexual slavery.

What has been done in Timor-Leste in regard to this dark experiences? From 2005 to 2010, HAK(Association for Law, Human Rights and Justice) and Japanese Coalition has conducted a survey and interviews of 62 persons consisting of 20 victims and 42 witnesses in 12 municipalities in Timor-Leste^[1]. Through this survey we have produced a book call “LUTA BA LIA LOOS NO JUSTISA” (Fight for the Truth and Justice). The revelation of the existence of Japanese military sexual slavery, known in Japanese as “Jugun lanfu” or “Comfort Women”, in Timor-Leste has brought to light the untold suffering endured by the victims. These women, from as young as 12 years old to teenagers and adults, often poor and vulnerable, were forcibly taken from their homes and subjected to unspeakable acts of violence and abuse^[1]. Stripped of dignity and humanity, they were treated as merely objects of pleasure by their captors, enduring years of physical and psychological trauma.

The scars of this traumatic experience have continued to linger long after the war has ended. Many of the survivors have silently carried the burden and stigma of their past with shame. Since the official recognition of their suffering, HAK and its strategic partners have commemorated the day of the Japanese Military invasion of Timor-Leste (February 20, 1942-45) through exhibitions and seminars for university students, national NGOs, and national media in order to reflect on the suffering of the victims.

An event called "La’o Ain hodi Sunu Lilin no Kari - Aifunan iha Monumentu Segunda Guerra Mundiál Largo Lecidere" (Walking to Light Candles and Offerings at the World War II Monument in Largo Lecidere) has been organized for this year’s commemoration. Its purpose is to educate the public, especially young people, about the history of the liberation struggle, not only against Portuguese colonialism and the illegal occupation of the Soeharto military regime, but also the Japanese military invasion during World War II, which also brought with it suffering to the people of Timor-Leste. This marks a crucial step towards the acknowledgement of their pain and the validation of their experiences.

As of now, one victim of these atrocities remains alive in Timor-Leste. While the passage of time may have dimmed the memories of these atrocities, the quest for justice and accountability remains as relevant as ever. It is imperative that the perpetrators of these crimes be held accountable for their actions, and that measures be taken to ensure that such horrors are never repeated. Additionally, efforts must be made to provide support and assistance to the survivors, helping them to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives in the aftermath of such trauma.

As the Executive Director of the organization HAK, my role includes continuing to use my voice to speak for the victims whose stories have yet to be heard in both the Timor-Leste and Japanese governments. One mission is to continue to bring to light the ongoing hidden history of these victims and to seek ways to work together with all parties to integrate World War II history into the education curriculum.

To date, the government has failed to guarantee justice and truth for its citizens, especially the victims of sexual slavery and their suffering during World War II. This situation emphasizes the need to extend strategic advocacy efforts with the purpose of the pursuit of justice and truth for the victims and their families, as well as to optimize programs for transmitting history to future generations.

Another effort that HAK has been making is to the consistent organization of workshops in municipalities throughout Timor-Leste, particularly in Liquiça, RAEOA, and Manatuto, to share the results of historical research with those community leaders because it is the teachers who play a crucial role in transmitting and disseminating history to our younger generation, especially students, in order to instill the struggle for truth and justice to and to bring dignity to the victims. Many of the younger generation are aware of the history of the Indonesian occupation but lack knowledge concerning the history of World War II, which brought immense suffering to the Timorese people.

At the international level, HAK together with the Asian Solidarity Conference , have been particularly advocating for the victims’ voices to be recognized at UNESCO in South Korea by organizing the International Committee for Joint Nomination of Documents on the Japanese Military ‘Comfort Women’ to UNESCO Memory of the World Register(ICJN). With this, there are certain demands that both Governments, such as Japan and Timor-Leste, need to take into consideration, such as:

* Requesting the Japanese Government to issue a “formal apology” to the sexual abuse victims in Timor-Leste, as well as to provide compensation and reparations to the victims before they leave this world;

* Urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cooperate diplomatically with Japan so that the Japanese government can address the issue of "Comfort Women" in Timor-Leste as well as Japanese involvement in other nations’ World War II conflicts;

* Requesting the Ministry of Education to consider incorporating the history of World War II into the National Curriculum.

To conclude; the revelation of Japanese military sexual slavery in Timor-Leste serves as a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of war and the profound impact it has had on individuals and communities. As we bear witness to the stories of these survivors, we are called upon to confront the dark chapters of history and strive for a future free from violence and oppression. Only through acknowledgment, remembrance, and justice we can hope to honor the resilience of those who have suffered and to build a more just and compassionate world for generations to come.