The President of the 12 November Committee, Gregorio Saldanha, urged survivors of the massacre in 1991 to work together so history is written correctly and the dignity of the martyrs preserved.
Committee President Saldanha made the appeal after a swearing ceremony for survivors held at the office of the Committee, in Balide, Dili.
“We are still alive but people try to lie, try to fake history. People try to falsify what happened and this will be worse if we die,” he added.
He said for there to be justice everyone needs to work together.
“Previously our obligation was to the struggle and now the State is obligated to look after our rights. But this must be done properly to ensure those who are entitled receive it.”
Meantime the Secretary of State for Veterans of the Liberation, Julio da Costa (Meta Mali), said recognition must be given not only to those who fought in the jungle but also to the victims of the12 November Massacre.
SE Meta Mali said every year the State spends money to pay the veterans and martyrs more than $5 million but the number of veterans includes more than 18.000 individuals.
“If everyone is a veteran the money from the oil won’t be enough and the nation will collapse,” said the SE.
SE Meta Mali added those falsifying their documents as survivors of the massacre have been warned the victims know each other.
