Human rights association HAK will publish the results of its research into human rights violations committed by Japanese troops against the people of Timor-Leste during WWII.
HAK advocacy coordinator Sisto dos Santos said the aim of this research was to paint a complete picture of the Japanese invasion of Timor-Leste.
Dos Santos said the troops took part in immoral acts 72 years ago which left the Timorese people with a scar that is yet to heal.
The research project, which was been running since 2005, was conducted jointly by HAK and Japanese groups.
Student Inocençio de Jesus Xavier said the research was very important as evidence to help with advocacy and also to petition the Japan government to take responsibility for the immoral actions its soldiers took against the people of Timor-Leste.
“The result of the research is very important as a history lesson for the young generation.
There were many victims who are now dead and there are one or two who are still alive; it’s time to have a sense of this history,” he said.
He said the Timor-Leste government should take into account the history of the Japanese invasion.
