Election Violence Education and Resolution. (EVER) in Timor-Leste

Transcription

1 Electin Vilence Educatin and Reslutin (EVER) in Timr-Leste FINAL REPORT Octber 17, 2007 Dili, Timr-Leste

2 Executive Summary T supprt a peaceful and successful parliamentary electin prcess in Timr-Leste, BELUN and IFES partnered t implement the Electin Vilence Educatin and Reslutin (EVER) initiative. EVER is a prgram t mnitr and reprt n electin vilence with the gal f preventing and reducing vilence. EVER was develped by IFES and has been implemented with civil sciety partners in 8 cuntries including Guyana, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. In Timr-Leste, mnitring f electin-related vilence and levels f cmmunity tensins thrughut the 2007 parliamentary electin perid shws bth the fragile stability within cmmunities and their ptential t mitigate future vilence. The EVER initiative in Timr- Leste, implemented frm late May thrugh September 12 th, is the first initiative t mnitr electin-related vilence befre, during, and after electin prcesses. As part f BELUN s brader mandate supprting cnflict preventin and capacity develpment fr civil sciety, and IFES supprt t emerging demcratic scieties, the EVER initiative builds upn bth rganizatins experience in Timr-Leste. The natinal crisis that began in 2006 and resulted in high levels f displacement cntinues t impact security and tensin levels in many cmmunities. Cnflict factrs related t ecnmic hardship, plitical differences, institutinal weaknesses, and scial disparities have facilitated vilence in the past and cntinue t threaten the future stability f Timr-Leste. These factrs are highlighted by the nging incidents f vilence in the capital and specific cmmunities utside Dili. As a result, the lcal tensins and incidents affected the envirnment in which the 2007 presidential and parliamentary electins tk place. It is imprtant t recgnize the scial and plitical cntext in Timr-Leste when examining incidents f electin-related vilence as there are ften linkages between electin incidents and pre-existing cnflict factrs. Nevertheless, electin vilence is distinct frm ther frms f vilence, and is imprtant t mnitr in rder t prmte mre peaceful electin prcesses in the future. Summary f Findings Frm May 28 th t August 31 st, the EVER netwrk f 35 civil sciety mnitrs identified and verified 162 incidents f electin vilence acrss the 13 districts. The mst incidents were reprted frm Baucau, with 40. Over half (92) f all incidents tk place in public areas. The incidents led t tw deaths and 100 injuries, and displaced numerus families in bth the pre- and pst-electin perids. In 56% f incidents (91), prperty was damaged and mnitrs nted increased fear within cmmunities affected by vilence. Perpetratrs were identified as male in 55% f incidents (89) and as plitical party supprters in 108 incidents (67%). The plitical parties r alliances identified as perpetratrs include: AMP, ASDT/PSD Calitin, CNRT, Fretilin, KOTA/PPT Alliance, PD, PSD and UNDERTIM. Victims f incidents were identified as male in 62 incidents (39%) and female in 2 incidents (less than 1%). Plitical party supprters were victims in ver half (55%) f the reprted incidents and include the fllwing plitical parties r alliances: AMP, KOTA/PPT Alliance, CNRT, ASDT/PSD Calitin, Fretilin, PD, PMD, PR, PST, and UNDERTIM. The mst cmmn type f vilence was prperty damage (91 incidents) fllwed by physical harm, reprted in 60 incidents. Rcks r stnes were used as weapns f vilence in 50% f incidents and fur incidents invlved a gun. 2

3 Multiple types f perpetratrs, victims, types f vilence, and weapns culd be reprted in ne incident. The pre-electin and pst-electin perids had similar numbers f incidents. Eighty incidents were reprted in the perid leading up t June 30 th Electin Day. Frm July 1 st t August 31 st, 79 incidents were reprted. Only three incidents f vilence were reprted n Electin Day, suggesting that security and mnitring effrts t prmte a peaceful vting envirnment were successful. Hwever, the findings demnstrate the need fr imprved security and respnse strategies fr the pre- and pst-electin Day perid, particularly arund campaign activities and plitical annuncements related t the electin. Peace Activities In additin t mnitring electin vilence and levels f cmmunity tensin, a critical cmpnent f the EVER initiative is strengthening civil sciety capacity t prmte peace and prevent vilence in their cmmunities. Tward this end, EVER mnitrs identified 39 cmmunity-based peace activities implemented in all districts except Baucau between May 28 th and August 31 st. The activities were rganized by varius actrs including civil sciety rganizatins, plitical parties, natinal and lcal gvernment representatives, UN agencies and security actrs. T prmte the rle f civil sciety in preventing vilence and managing tensins, the EVER initiative supprts cmmunity-based peace activities thrugh a micr-grant fund. As f Octber 1 st, 11 activities have been implemented in 5 districts (Aileiu, Ainar, Bbnar, Dili, and Ermera). Additinal activities will be supprted thrugh the end f As part f its brader cnflict preventin mandate, BELUN will seek t remain engaged with these rganizatins beynd the EVER prgram thrugh skills-building activities and future partnerships. Impact Initial feedback and bservatins frm varius stakehlders suggest the EVER prgram prvides a psitive cntributin t the electin prcess and shuld cntinue. As the EVER prgram during this electin prcess was a pilt initiative, BELUN welcmes feedback frm all actrs t imprve the effectiveness and impact f EVER activities. BELUN has begun t gather feedback thrugh evaluatin and survey activities and will cntinue this prcess in the cming mnths. One utcme f EVER mnitring is the establishment f baseline data n electin vilence and tensin levels, which shuld be used in security planning fr future electins. This is cmplemented by the develpment f cncrete recmmendatins fr varius actrs, especially civil sciety, t address bth electinrelated vilence as well as vilence mre generally. Distributin f reprts t ver 1,000 stakehlders frm the village t internatinal level, reaching gvernment, humanitarian, civil sciety, and security actrs supprts imprved access t infrmatin and encurages implementatin f EVER recmmendatins. Finally, the identificatin f cmmunity activities prmting peace gives recgnitin t lcal cnflict management capacities and can encurage thers t take actins within their cmmunities. Cntinued engagement with state and nn-state actrs will help identify the brader impact f EVER t infrm the design and implementatin f future EVER activities in Timr-Leste. 3

4 Recmmendatins Cmplementing the specific recmmendatins in each f the EVER reprts, this reprt highlights actins t be taken by varius actrs in preparatin fr future electins and in respnse t the general envirnment and tensins in Timr-Leste. As in the 6 EVER reprts, recmmendatins are targeted tward gvernment, security, plitical party, and civil sciety actrs. Recmmendatins in preparatin fr electins in 2008 include the fllwing: Security actrs, in cllabratin with cmmunity leaders, shuld develp preventin and respnse strategies prir t the cmmencement f campaign activities t identify the specific security needs f cmmunities and ptential fr vilence. A jint dialgue between security, parties, electin bdies, gvernment and civil sciety culd be rganized t identify these strategies. Parties and rganizatins that wrk n party develpment shuld make a lngerterm investment in parties and cmmunities in using gvernment institutins, public infrmatin campaigns, and ther kinds f nn-vilent/nn-prvcative advcacy strategies. Civil sciety rganizatins invlved in electin mnitring r bservatin shuld hld regular meetings prir t, during the campaign and vting perids, and in the pstelectin perid t exchange infrmatin n each rganizatin s rles, strengthen cllabratin t address tensins r ther challenges and maximize effrts t supprt a peaceful electin prcess. Mre generally, steps that different actrs can take in the current situatin include the fllwing: Gvernment fficials frm natinal t sub-district levels shuld cllabrate t rganize cmmunity discussins n issues f natinal cncern such as reintegratin f internally displaced persns, decisins n the petitiners, and any majr changes in gvernment structures r plicies. Security actrs shuld cntinue t crdinate and develp security plans t better prepare fr sudden escalatin f vilence as seen in early August. PNTL, UNPl, and ther security actrs at bth natinal and district levels culd create jint security frecasts and respnse strategies each mnth, identifying ptential triggers f vilence such as plitical events r annuncements. Plitical party leaders shuld encurage supprters t express their cncerns, including pinins abut gvernment decisins r plicies, using nn-vilent and nn-prvcative means. Parties culd rganize cmmunity-level discussins t better infrm supprters f party platfrms and stimulate dialgue n relevant issues. Civil sciety rganizatins (CSOs) with experience in prmting nn-vilence and cnflict management shuld establish cnflict preventin and respnse teams t supprt cmmunity leaders and ther actrs t address tensins and cnflicts befre they turn vilent. Teams shuld include wmen and men frm varius backgrunds and culd be supprted thrugh cnflict mitigatin skills develpment and related training activities. 4

5 Media utlets, particularly natinal and cmmunity radi, shuld cntinue t develp civic educatin prgramming t address issues f natinal cncern, invlving the relevant gvernment and cmmunity actrs. T maximize impact, dnrs shuld supprt increased use f mbile radi activities and use f lcal languages. T better understand the gender dynamics f vilence and its impact, bth wmen and men shuld be engaged actively t prmte nn-vilence. Imprved understanding f gender rles can result in better targeted cnflict mitigatin and vilence preventin strategies that are led by varius actrs, leading t mre effective utcmes. Next Steps Alngside cntinued implementatin f EVER activities during future electins, BELUN will develp a natinal Early Warning and Early Respnse (EWER) mechanism based n its experience with the EVER initiative and nging partnerships with CSOs. The EWER system will seek t imprve cnflict-sensitive develpment practices and strengthen lcal capacities t address and minimize the impact f vilence. Over a tw-year perid, BELUN will seek t establish its EWER system in clse cllabratin with cmmunity, gvernment and develpment actrs. Thrugh strengthened civil sciety-state partnerships, cnflict preventin mechanisms can be sustained and supprt future stability in Timr-Leste. Intrductin t EVER Timr-Leste T supprt a peaceful and successful parliamentary electin prcess in Timr-Leste, BELUN and IFES partnered t implement the Electin Vilence Educatin and Reslutin (EVER) initiative. EVER is a prgram t mnitr and reprt n electin vilence with the gal f preventing and reducing vilence. EVER was develped by IFES and has been implemented with civil sciety partners in 8 cuntries including Guyana, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. Given the nging instability acrss Timr-Leste and the ptential fr electin prcesses t trigger incidents f vilence, as demnstrated during the May 2007 presidential electins, IFES and BELUN cllabrated t pilt the EVER prgram in Timr-Leste. The prgram builds upn bth rganizatins existing experience in the cuntry. It cmplements BELUN s brader mandate f cnflict preventin and capacity develpment fr civil sciety and IFES supprt t emerging demcratic scieties. Specifically, the initiative seeks t: Identify, dcument, and mnitr vilence which ccurs during the electin perid and has an impact n the electin prcess (electin vilence); Share infrmatin abut electin vilence and respnses with all stakehlders and the public thrugh 6 (six) EVER reprts published befre and after the electins (between 25 June and 12 September 2007); and Increase capacity f civil sciety in Timr-Leste t prevent and reduce cnflict thrugh small grant supprt fr cmmunity initiatives prmting peace. The EVER mnitring, reprting, and small grant activities will cntribute t the develpment f BELUN s Early Warning and Early Respnse (EWER) mechanism. This will further strengthen civil sciety capacity t respnd t vilence and prevent tensins frm leading int vilence, imprving cmmunity management f cnflicts. 5

6 Methdlgy The EVER methdlgy develped by IFES engages civil sciety actively as an integral partner in the mnitring and reprting f electin vilence. Within the EVER framewrk, electin-related vilence r electin vilence refers t any vilence (harm) r threat f vilence (harm) that is aimed at any persn r prperty invlved in the electin prcess, r at the electin prcess itself. Electin vilence generally invlves plitical parties, their supprters, jurnalists, agents f the gvernment, electin administratrs and the general ppulatin. It includes threats, assault, murder, destructin f prperty, and physical r psychlgical harm. An incident f electin vilence refers t any act that 1) has a specific victim(s) and perpetratr(s) and ccurs within a limited timeframe and lcatin; 2) meets the definitin f electin-related vilence; and 3) has been verified by mnitrs using at least tw different surces f infrmatin. BELUN, with a netwrk f 111 civil sciety partners acrss the thirteen districts, cllabrated with 23 f its NGO and CBO partners alng with the Alla Fundatin s District Supprt Wrkers t create a team f 35 mnitrs (15 wmen, 20 men) statined acrss the cuntry. Mnitrs were selected based n their experience wrking with cmmunities and several have supprted past electin prcesses thrugh civic educatin r electin bservatin. In additin t their past experience, all mnitrs participated in an intensive 3-day training n the EVER methdlgy, tailred t the Timr-Leste cntext. Specifically, the training fcused n gathering and verifying infrmatin frm varius surces including the media, electin, security, and gvernment fficials, plitical parties, civil sciety rganizatins, cmmunity leaders, vters, and eyewitnesses t vilence. Mnitrs were trained t gather infrmatin in fur areas: incidents f vilence, level f tensin in cmmunities, ptential fr vilence, and peace activities. Mnitrs were als prepared t bserve and attend campaign (r ther plitical) events and cmmunity-based peace activities as part f the EVER mnitring prcess. Fllwing the training, nging supprt frm BELUN s Reginal Crdinatrs was prvided t address any challenges encuntered during the mnitring perid (28 May t 31 August 2007). Within the EVER Timr-Leste structure, each mnitr was respnsible fr cvering 1-2 sub-districts. The prgram was then able t mnitr and distribute reprts t all 65 subdistricts acrss the cuntry. Thrughut the three-mnth mnitring perid, mnitrs submitted weekly situatinal reprts t BELUN, identifying the number f incidents that ccurred, tensin levels, and changes in tensin levels frm previus weeks, as well as dcumenting interviews and events (cmmunity-level campaign and/r peace activities) attended. In additin, mnitrs reprted the details f each incident f electin vilence in an EVER Incident Frm. Bth weekly situatin and incident reprt frms were based n the glbal EVER frmat but were mdified t ensure their relevance in Timr-Leste. These frms are included in Annexes C and D. The EVER methdlgy requires mnitrs t verify all incidents f electin vilence with at least tw surces and nly verified incidents are included in EVER peridic public reprts. This imprves the accuracy and quality f infrmatin generated by mnitrs and subsequently reprted t the public. BELUN and IFES recgnize that mnitrs may nt be able t identify all incidents f electin vilence ccurring. The mnitring seeks t prvide as cmprehensive an verview f the situatin natinwide as pssible. It shuld als be nted that mnitrs d nt reprt n incidents f vilence that d nt 6

7 meet the EVER definitin f electin vilence, althugh this vilence may be captured by the mnitrs weekly situatin reprts. A cmprehensive evaluatin prcess f the current EVER initiative will infrm future implementatin f EVER t address any challenges and imprve the verall impact f mnitring and reprting activities. Backgrund n Cnflict and Electin Vilence in Timr-Leste The challenges faced by Timr-Leste since its independence in 2002 are similar t thse experienced in ther pst-cnflict states. While a fragile stability was maintained fr the first fur years f independence, varius cnflict factrs existed that cntributed t the escalatin f vilence in April 2006 and the nging instability. Befre 2006, there were islated incidents f vilence at the cmmunity level invlving marginalized grups such as ex-cmbatants and natinal demnstratins f discntent such as the rits in December 2002 and the Church-rganized prtests in May 2005, which demnstrated the existence f these cnflict factrs. Expectatins fr develpment and prsperity fllwing independence, cupled with nging ecnmic hardship, and increasing plitical differences and scial disparities, created the cnditins fr vilence t take place. At the same time, the weak institutinal mechanisms in the justice and security sectrs were unable t address these grievances and cntain vilent respnses t tensins, preventing the state frm adequately reslving the varius cnflicts. Cmmunity-based cnflict reslutin mechanisms exist and are used frequently fr lcalized cnflicts. Hwever, the natinal crisis brught a level f cmplexity t these cnflicts that cannt be reslved at the cmmunity level alne. Currently, vilence is ften cntained t Dili, althugh tensin levels remain high in many areas. In additin t vilence mtivated by varius plitical, scial and ecnmic issues, pprtunistic vilence cntinues t ccur and is the cntext in which the 2007 electins have taken place. T fully address the widespread grievances and cmplex humanitarian situatin that has evlved since April 2006, a cllabrative and sustained effrt by actrs at bth the cmmunity and natinal level is required. Between the 1999 Referendum and the 2007 presidential and parliamentary electins, Timr-Leste held tw natinal electins: the August 2001 Cnstituent Assembly and the April 2002 Presidential Electins. These were fllwed by the village-level suc electins in All three f thse electins in Timr-Leste were relatively peaceful. While electin bservers were present at each f the natinal electins t ensure the prcess was implemented in a free and fair envirnment, electin vilence was nt specifically mnitred. Since there is n database f incidents, levels f electin vilence during the 2007 parliamentary electins cannt be cmpared with past electins. In the future, data frm EVER and ther current mnitring effrts may prvide a baseline fr cmparing vilence and tensin levels during electin perids. The cntext in which the 2007 parliamentary electins tk place is critical t understanding the vilence that ccurred between May and August While electin vilence is distinct frm ther frms f vilence that cntinue t take place in Timr- Leste, there are identifiable linkages between bth types f vilence. Tw similarities between electin and nn-electin vilence are 1) types f vilence such as stning f vehicles and huses, arsn, and physical assault as well as the pattern and 2) the use f 7

8 public spaces in vilent incidents. Perpetratrs f electin vilence may be linked t ther vilence in their cmmunities as well. As incidents f vilence cntinue in the pstelectin perid, these linkages are imprtant t recgnize in rder t develp strategies t address sme f the underlying factrs and prmte peaceful reslutin f grievances. This can cntribute t stability in the near future and prmte peaceful electin prcesses in the lng term. Overview f Findings and Analysis During the six EVER mnitring perids frm May 28 t August 31, 2007, mnitrs identified and verified 162 incidents f electin-related vilence. The incidents ccurred between May 29 th and August 26 th in all thirteen districts. The breakdwn f incidents by reprting perid is shwn in the graph belw. Ttal Incidents by Reprting Perid Reprt 1 (28 May-12 June) Reprt 2 (13-30 June) Reprt 3 (1-12 July) Reprt 4 (13-26 July) Reprt 5 (27 Jul- 9 Aug) Reprt 6 (10-31 Aug) The incidents f electin vilence resulted in tw deaths and 100 injuries acrss the three-mnth reprting perid. In additin, mnitrs nted an unknwn number f families were displaced by vilence in 8 incidents (5%) and increased levels f fear in 23% f incidents (38). The tw days which had the highest number f incidents reprted were the last day f the parliamentary campaign perid (June 27 th ) and the day after the president s decisin that the Majrity Parliamentary Alliance (AMP) wuld frm the gvernment (August 8 th ). Each f these days had 10 incidents reprted. The mst incidents by District were reprted in Baucau, with 40 incidents (25% f all incidents). This is nearly twice as many as the District with the secnd highest number f incidents reprted (Viqueque with 23). The district breakdwn fr each reprting perid is shwn in the table belw. Acrss the reprting perid, 60% f incidents (97) ccurred during the day between 6am and 6pm. Over half f the incidents (92) ccurred n the street r in a public area such as a market. The secnd mst cmmn site f vilence was private hme, reprted in 45 incidents (28%). Only 5 incidents were reprted t have ccurred at electral ffices r vting centers. This may suggest that the level f security at thse lcatins was adequate t prevent incidents f vilence althugh clser examinatin f ptential reasns is recmmended. 8

9 Reprt 1 Ttal Incidents by District and Reprt Reprt 2 Reprt 3 Reprt 4 Reprt 5 Reprt 6 Aileu Ainar District Ttal Baucau Bbnar Cva Lima Dili Ermera Lautem Liquica Manatut Manufahi Oecussi Viqueque Ttal Incidents Perpetratrs were identified based n the number, gender, and affiliatin r type f peple cmmitting acts f vilence. Mnitrs reprted perpetratrs f vilence were grups (that is, mre than ne persn) in 69% (111 incidents) f electral vilence. In 89 incidents (55%), perpetratrs were identified as male. Only ne incident reprted the presence f slely female perpetratrs. As frequently nted in the peridic reprts, plitical party supprters were the mst cmmn perpetratrs verall. Perpetratrs were identified as plitical party supprters in 67% f incidents (108). Plitical party leaders were identified in 8 incidents and nly ne incident reprted perpetratrs as peple paid by plitical parties. The parties r alliances identified as perpetratrs include: AMP, ASDT/PSD Calitin, CNRT, Fretilin, KOTA/PPT Alliance, PD, PSD and UNDERTIM. Mnitrs were unable t identify the type f perpetratrs in 19% f incidents (30). Identificatin f victims fllws the categries used t identify perpetratrs. Victims were reprted as grups (that is, mre than ne persn was a victim) in 41% f incidents. Victims were identified as male in 62 incidents (38%) and female in 2 incidents. The cmplete breakdwn f victims and perpetratrs by gender is shwn in the table t the right. Number f Incidents by Gender f Perpetratrs and Victims Gender Perpetratr Victim Ttal Male Female Bth Present Unable t Determine Victims f electin vilence were plitical party supprters in ver half (54%) f the reprted incidents (88) and party leaders in 15 incidents. The plitical parties r alliances identified as victims include: AMP, ASDT/PSD Calitin, CNRT, Fretilin, KOTA/PPT Alliance, PD, PMD, PR, PST, and UNDERTIM. As indicated in several f the peridic reprts, prperty damage was the mst cmmn type f vilence, reprted in 91 incidents (56%), with 62 incidents affecting private prperty such as vehicles r hmes. Physical harm was reprted in 37% f incidents (60), nt including 2 incidents f murder and 5 incidents f attempted murder. Grup clashes were reprted in 11 incidents. The mst cmmn type f nn-physical vilence was verbal harassment (31 incidents), fllwed by intimidatin (26) and threat f physical 9

10 harm (14 incidents). The variatin in types f vilence by reprt is shwn in the chart belw. 1 Incidents Type f Vilence by Reprt (% f incidents invlving each type) Reprt 1 Reprt 2 Reprt 3 Reprt 4 Reprt 5 Reprt 6 Attempted Murder Murder Intimidatin/Mental Abuse Verbal Harrassment Physical Harm Threat f Physical Harm Grup Clash Theft Prperty Destructin Other In half f the reprted incidents (81), weapns f vilence were rcks r stnes. Hands r fists were used in 33% f incidents (54) and fur incidents invlved a gun. The chart belw shws verall percentages fr methds f vilence used during the three-mnth mnitring perid. Methds Of Vilence The verview f vilence (% f incidents invlving each type) nted abve may serve as a Unable t Gun/ baseline f vilence levels t Determine Firearm 2% cmpare with vilence in 1% Other 4% future electins. In additin Knives/Stabbing 7% t these findings, analysis f N weapn vilence during each phase f 14% Arsn 20% the electin cycle (befre Electin Day, Electin Day Fists/ itself, and pst-electin Day Physical Stnes/ frm July 1- August 31 st ) Means 33% Thrwing prvides insight n measures Object 50% that may prevent and minimize the level f vilence in the future. In the fllwing sectin, the patterns f vilence during each f the three perids are described in greater detail. Befre Electin Day Frm May 28, when EVER mnitring began, t June 29, the day befre the parliamentary electin, 80 incidents f electin vilence were reprted. The highest number f incidents (10) tk place n June 27 th, the last day f the campaign perid. The June 27 th incidents were cncentrated in Dili and Manatut, with ne incident 1 Please nte that multiple types f vilence may ccur in ne incident, and multiple methds f vilence may be used. Fr example, physical harm and prperty damage may take place in the same incident. Or, perpetratrs may thrw stnes as well as beat a victim. 0

11 reprted in Oecussi. Stnes and rcks were used as weapns in all ten incidents, wunding 8 peple and resulting in prperty damage. During the pre-electin perid, incidents tk place in all 13 districts, althugh the highest number was reprted frm Baucau, with 21. Over tw-thirds (55 incidents, r 69%) tk place n the street r in public areas and 63% invlved plitical party supprters (50 incidents) as perpetratrs. Perpetratrs were identified as male in 51% f incidents (41) and female in ne incident. Similarly, victims were plitical party supprters in 63% f incidents, and were identified as male in 30 incidents (38%) and female in 2 incidents. Physical harm and prperty destructin were bth reprted in 49% f incidents (40 each). Stnes and rcks were used as weapns in 56% f incidents (45) and 3 incidents invlved a gun. The incidents led t 2 deaths, 67 injuries, and the first reprts f displacement linked with electin vilence. The pre-electin vilence cnfirms the need fr reinfrced security presence arund campaign events and cnvys f plitical party supprters and representatives. Many incidents tk place n the day f r after campaign activities, suggesting these events are ptential triggers fr vilence. Increased security arund campaign events bth ensures the safety f participants and demnstrates that plitical party actins are mnitred, which may discurage party supprters frm instigating vilence. The prtracted displacement f the families affected by the pre-electin incidents f vilence in Ermera highlights the need t prevent vilence and the increased challenge f addressing its impact if nt cntained. Develpment f cmprehensive security strategies and respnses tailred fr the pre-electin perid can cntribute t mre peaceful campaigns in future electins. Electin Day As with bth runds f the presidential electins, the day f the parliamentary electins was relatively peaceful. Mnitrs reprted 3 incidents f vilence in Baucau, Ermera and Viqueque, which were areas with verall higher reprts f electin vilence. The incidents tk place at vting statins and invlved vters and plitical party supprters as perpetratrs. STAE staff and Fiscais (bservers frm plitical parties) were the victims f the incidents. N weapns were used in the incidents. One incident invlved physical harm, resulting in ne injury. While fear amng vters was nted, the vting prcess cntinued t take place despite the incidents. The presence f security actrs and electin bservers acrss the cuntry and at vting centers is likely t have cntributed t the cntrlled envirnment n Electin Day. Future electin prcesses shuld cntinue t reinfrce this security strategy t cntrl the ptential fr vilence and minimize the impact f any incidents that take place. Pst Electin The EVER initiative cntinued t mnitr the situatin in cmmunities until August 31 st, tw mnths after the June 30 th electin. As anticipated by EVER mnitring f tensin levels in cmmunities and patterns f vilence, there was an increase in vilence fllwing the electins and 79 incidents were recrded between July 1 st and August 26 th. Hwever, there were n deaths in the pst-electin perid. The incidents tk place acrss 10 districts (n incidents were reprted frm Aileu, Ainar, r Manatut). The districts with the highest reprted incidents include Baucau with 18 (23%), 16 frm Viqueque (20%) and 13 frm Oecussi (16%). As mentined, the mst incidents (10) were reprted n August 8 th, fllwing the president s decisin fr AMP t frm the 1

12 gvernment. The spike in vilence bth befre and after this decisin (41 incidents (52%) tk place between August 6 th and 13 th ), cnfirms that majr plitical annuncements have the ptential t trigger vilence. Pst-electin incidents mainly tk place n the street r in public areas (37 incidents). Mre incidents than in the pre-electin perid tk place in private hmes r prperty (29 incidents). Only tw incidents tk place at electin sites. Similar t the pre-electin perid, perpetratrs were identified as male in ver half the incidents (46). N perpetratrs were identified as slely female althugh mnitrs reprted 8 incidents where female and males were bth perpetratrs f vilence. Plitical party supprters were identified as perpetratrs in 58 incidents (73%) and ne incident reprted invlved a Fiscais. Victims f electin vilence were identified as male in 38% f incidents (30) and bth female and male in 11% f incidents (9). Prperty damage tk place in 50 incidents, almst as frequently as vilence against individuals and grups (54 incidents). Victims f vilence were identified as plitical party supprters in 37 incidents (47%), as PNTL in three incidents, as gvernment fficials in tw, and as UNPl in tw. Only ne incident resulted in destructin f electin material. In the pst-electin perid, prperty damage remained cnsistent with the pre-electin perid (63%), while physical harm decreased frm pre-electin levels, with 19 incidents reprted (24%). Stnes and rcks were used as weapns in 36 incidents (46%) and use f arsn increased frm earlier perids t 28 incidents (35%). One incident invlved a gun. N deaths resulted frm the incidents, althugh there were 27 injuries and mnitrs reprted increased levels f fear and tensin in cmmunities affected by vilence. As nted in the fifth EVER reprt, the August 8th vilence generated higher levels f displacement frm Viqueque and Baucau than seen during the entire mnitring perid and it remains an unreslved impact f the vilence. As the new gvernment establishes its structures and mechanisms, it is increasingly difficult t identify electin vilence frm ther frms f nging vilence in Dili and in specific cmmunities acrss the natin. Furthermre, while electin vilence itself may nt cntinue t take place, the impact f electin vilence cntinues t affect cmmunities, frm the families remaining displaced by vilence in the pre and pstelectin perids t divisins in cmmunities between victims and perpetratrs f vilence. Thrughut the three-mnth mnitring perid, several incidents f vilence were nted by mnitrs as acts f retaliatin fr past cnflicts, suggesting the ptential fr future vilence related t unreslved electin vilence. Develping immediate and nging respnses t address bth electin-related and ther types f vilence is critical t reduce the impact f past vilence and t prevent a renewed cycle f vilence in the pst-electin perid. Findings Regarding Peace Activities In additin t mnitring f electin vilence and levels f cmmunity tensin, a critical cmpnent f the EVER initiative is strengthening civil sciety capacity t prmte peace and prevent vilence in cmmunities. Tward this end, EVER mnitrs identified 39 cmmunity-based peace activities thrughut the three-mnth mnitring perid between May 28 th and August 31 st. The activities tk place in all districts except fr 2

13 Baucau and were rganized by varius actrs including civil sciety rganizatins such as church grups, cmmunity grups and NGOs; plitical parties; natinal and lcal gvernment representatives such as ministers and district administratrs; and UN agencies and security actrs such as PNTL and Australian Frces. A detailed list f activities is shwn in Annex F. These initiatives are imprtant t recgnize in rder t reinfrce and strengthen existing cnflict reslutin capacities and resurces within cmmunities. Furthermre, these cmmunity actrs can be mbilized t develp strategies fr preventing and mitigating vilence in the future, increasing the ptential success f preventin effrts and their sustainability ver time. T prmte the rle f civil sciety in preventing vilence and managing tensins, the EVER Prgram als supprts cmmunity-based peace initiatives thrugh a micr-grant fund. The $15,000 fund prvides up t $1,000 per rganizatin t cmmunity-based rganizatins acrss the thirteen districts fr peace events. The prgram als facilitates linkages between cmmunity grups and ther relevant stakehlders tward implementatin f the initiatives. Since BELUN pened the call fr prpsals in mid-july, 19 prpsals have been apprved t implement activities in 10 districts. As f Octber 1st, 11 initiatives have been implemented in 5 districts (Aileu, Ainar, Bbnar, Dili, and Ermera). Activities supprted by EVER are marked by an asterisk in the Peace Activities Table in Annex F. Cmmn themes addressed thrugh cmmunity initiatives include thse n the recent gvernment frmatin prcess and relevant laws guiding the prcess as well as the rles f the fur svereign rgans f the state. Facilitated dialgues were rganized fr several f EVER-supprted initiatives t prvide space fr different vices t be heard frm within cmmunities. This demnstrates the interest in dialgue and the need t reinfrce such pprtunities fr discussin alngside nging civic educatin at the cmmunity level. Grups rganizing peace initiatives have the ptential t serve as imprtant cnflict management resurces in their cmmunities and shuld be strengthened accrdingly. As part f its brader cnflict preventin mandate, BELUN will seek t remain engaged with these rganizatins thrugh skill-building activities and future partnerships. Impact f EVER As a pilt initiative in Timr-Leste, initial bservatins and feedback frm varius actrs suggest the EVER initiative prvides a psitive cntributin t the electin prcess and shuld be cntinued. Hwever, given the limited pre-existing data n vilence mnitring and nging implementatin f EVER activities, it is difficult t knw the full impact f the initiative and its applicatin by different stakehlders. Thrughut the three-mnth mnitring and reprt disseminatin perid, BELUN regularly sught feedback frm mnitrs, civil sciety partners, and security actrs, amng thers receiving EVER reprts. In additin, BELUN recently distributed stakehlder surveys t apprximately 1000 state and civil sciety actrs and cnducted an evaluatin with EVER mnitrs t gather targeted feedback n the reprts use and relevance. Respnses gathered thrugh these mechanisms will be cmpiled in the cming mnths t infrm the design and implementatin f future EVER activities in Timr-Leste. 3

14 While natinal and internatinal bservers were present at previus electins in Timr- Leste, the EVER initiative is the first effrt t mnitr incidents f vilence and tensin levels thrughut the electin prcess. As such, there is n data n past levels f electin vilence t cmpare with data gathered by EVER mnitrs. Fr future electins, EVER data n incidents f vilence and the verall situatin at the sub-district level can prvide valuable infrmatin fr security, state, and civil sciety actrs planning security and cnflict preventin strategies. Data gathered in future electins can be cmpared with the 2007 electin t shw imprvements, highlight any wrsening situatins, and dcument issues r types f vilence that remain at cnsistent levels. Similar t ther electin mnitring bdies, the EVER initiative prvides targeted recmmendatins t imprve the electin prcess accrding t its specific mnitring bjectives. By identifying actins that varius actrs can take t address vilence during electin prcesses as well as prmting peace mre generally, EVER recmmendatins are distinct frm thse f ther reprts. Furthermre, the fcus n civil sciety rles in prmting peaceful electin prcesses cmplements ther electin reprts fcused arund gvernment-related respnsibilities. BELUN s nging partnership with civil sciety actrs and cmmunity leaders prvides a mechanism fr the recmmendatins n vilence preventin t be further develped and may facilitate their implementatin at the cmmunity and natinal level. Access t public infrmatin thrugh the media fr the majrity f cmmunities utside f Dili remains limited. While radi and televisin services have expanded their cverage, many cmmunities are still islated frm these resurces. Thrugh its netwrk f 35 mnitrs, the six EVER reprts have been disseminated t gvernment, civil sciety and security actrs in their cmmunities, with ver 800 hard cpies f each reprt in Tetum distributed by mnitrs acrss all 13 districts. In additin, electrnic versins f the reprts (in bth Tetum and English) were distributed t ver 150 natinal and internatinal actrs including plitical parties, humanitarian, civil sciety and media representatives. The last tw peridic reprts were als published by the weekly newspaper Temp Semanal, with distributin f 1000 cpies acrss the cuntry. Thrugh such wide distributin, EVER reprts cntribute t imprved access t infrmatin and may reduce the impact f rumrs within islated cmmunities. By dcumenting peace activities implemented within cmmunities, EVER reprts prmte increased awareness f cmmunity capacity t respnd t tensins and cnflict. BELUN seeks t draw greater public attentin t these capacities alngside the reprts f vilence in rder t prvide examples f psitive respnses t vilence and encurage thers t take actins within their wn areas. Furthermre, cmmunity cnflict preventin practices can be strengthened when the different actrs invlved in cnflict preventin recgnize each ther s effrts. This awareness creates mre pprtunities fr cllabratin. Cntinued develpment f civil sciety mechanisms t prevent vilence and respnd cnstructively t cnflict will reflect the nging impact f EVER activities supprting peaceful electin prcesses in Timr-Leste. 4

15 Recmmendatins The specific recmmendatins prpsed in each f the six EVER reprts may be reviewed in preparatin fr future electins and t address specific patterns f vilence at the time. The sectin belw prvides EVER s key verall recmmendatins fr varius actrs t cnsider befre future electins as well as measures t address the nging impact f electin vilence and t prevent future vilence in general. T gvernment actrs: Gvernment fficials frm natinal t sub-district level shuld cllabrate t rganize peridic cmmunity discussins n issues f natinal cncern such as reintegratin f internally displaced persns, decisins n the petitiners, and any majr changes in gvernment structures r plicies. Lcal gvernment leaders and representatives shuld participate actively in public events and dialgues t address tensins in their respective areas. They shuld fcus n sharing factual infrmatin in such venues in rder t help clarify misperceptins. Such activities will encurage nn-vilence and imprve gvernment-cmmunity relatins at the district level. T security actrs: Based n the patterns f vilence identified by EVER mnitrs, security actrs shuld cnsider the fllwing actins t better prepare fr future electins: The varius mnitring and security bdies (including gvernment, civil sciety, and UN agencies) recrding incidents f vilence shuld cllabrate and share infrmatin n their findings t imprve the quality and breadth f infrmatin gathered. This infrmatin shuld be archived with a natinal independent bdy such as the prvedr s ffice r electin cmmissin t ensure lessns learned may be applied in future electin prcesses. Security actrs, in cllabratin with cmmunity leaders, shuld develp preventin and respnse strategies (at the district r sub-district level) prir t the cmmencement f campaign activities t identify the specific security needs f cmmunities and ptential fr vilence. Security presence shuld be increased in cmmunities prir t, during, and fllwing campaign events t deter the pssibility and minimize the impact f vilence triggered by plitical party activities. Security actrs shuld reinfrce their presence with campaign cnvys, particularly when campaign activities in ne area verlap and at the clse f the campaign perid. If internatinal security frces are deplyed in future, increased public infrmatin abut these frces can limit misperceptins and reduce fear in mre remte cmmunities. Aside frm electin-specific activities, ptential steps t address the impact f electin-vilence as well as nging incidents f vilence and general insecurity include the fllwing: 5

16 District-level security actrs, with supprt frm natinal actrs as relevant, shuld cntinue t mnitr and reinfrce patrls as necessary in the areas with higher numbers f incidents and identified as at-risk fr vilence t prevent and mitigate any retaliatry acts f vilence. These areas (amng thers) include: Baucau (Baguia, Baucau), Dili (Crist Rei, Dm Alexi), Ermera (Ermera, Hatlia), Lautem (Ls Pals), Oecussi (Pante Makassar Oesil) and Viqueque (Viqueque, Watlari). A detailed map f incidents by sub-district is shwn in Annex E. Security actrs shuld cntinue t crdinate and develp security plans t better prepare fr the sudden escalatin f vilence as seen in early August. PNTL, UNPl, and ther security actrs at bth natinal and district levels culd create jint security frecasts and respnse strategies each mnth, identifying ptential triggers f vilence such as plitical events r annuncements. There is a clear need fr cllabratin between lcal leaders and security fficials (bth natinal and internatinal) t fully address cmmunity vilence. Regular mnthly meetings shuld be rganized between lcal gvernment, cmmunity leaders, and security fficials t fllw-up n vilence that has ccurred and identify activities t prevent existing tensins frm escalating int vilence. Meetings culd be held at the village r sub-district level. T plitical parties: In preparatin fr future electins, plitical parties can take several measures t reduce the level f electin vilence and prmte mre peaceful electin prcesses as fllws: Parties and rganizatins that wrk n party develpment shuld make a lngerterm investment in parties and cmmunities in using gvernment institutins, public infrmatin campaigns, and ther kinds f nn-vilent/nn-prvcative advcacy strategies. Party develpment and civic educatin activities shuld be rganized regularly and nt just arund electin perids t ensure gd practices are sustained. Plitical parties shuld adhere t the Electral Campaign Regulatins and Cde f Cnduct signed by plitical parties, especially in regard t rganizing and fllwing agreed upn campaign schedules t minimize the ptential fr campaign activities t trigger vilence. Plitical party leaders shuld encurage supprters t express their cncerns, including pinins abut gvernment decisins r plicies, using nn-vilent and nn-prvcative means. Parties culd rganize cmmunity-level discussins t better infrm supprters f party platfrms and stimulate dialgue n relevant issues. Multi-party public meetings r debates shuld be rganized t increase cmmunity awareness f party psitins and demnstrate cmmitment t peaceful and nnvilent prcesses fr prmting their platfrms and advcating fr change. Activities rganized acrss party lines are imprtant t encurage scial unity and reduce the significance f plitical affiliatin within cmmunities. 6

17 As the gvernment establishes its strategy and develps relevant plicies and prgrams, there is a ptential fr incidents f vilence t ccur in respnse t plitical decisins. Plitical party leaders shuld cntinue t cndemn any acts f vilence that ccur and send jint messages t cmmunities. Parties shuld be particularly sensitive t the impact f their messages n supprters and reinfrce their messages with actins that demnstrate a cmmitment t nn-vilence and tlerance f differing plitical beliefs. T civil sciety/ cmmunities: T prmte peaceful and successful electins in the future, civil sciety rganizatins (CSOs) can prepare cmmunities t address plitical tensins and prevent vilence as fllws: CSOs invlved in electin mnitring r bservatin shuld hld regular meetings prir t the campaign perid, during campaign and vting perids, and in the pst-electin perid t exchange infrmatin n each rganizatin s rles, strengthen cllabratin t address tensins r ther challenges and maximize effrts t supprt a peaceful electin. Civil sciety culd develp lcal cmpacts at the start f electin perids similar t the Cde f Cnduct signed by plitical parties. This wuld help t unite cmmunity members, especially yuth, against vilence. These cmpacts culd be established within cmmunities r acrss villages where pssible. CSOs and plitical parties culd cllabrate t rganize a public ath fr lcal party representatives and cmmunity leaders t reinfrce the Cde f Cnduct at the suc r sub-district level and t demnstrate cmmitment t nn-vilence in the electin perid. CSOs with experience in prmting nn-vilence and cnflict management shuld establish cnflict preventin and respnse teams t supprt cmmunity leaders and ther actrs t address tensins and cnflicts befre they turn vilent. Teams shuld include wmen and men frm varius backgrunds and culd be supprted thrugh cnflict mitigatin skills develpment and related training activities. CSOs engaged r interested in cnflict preventin and mitigatin activities shuld rganize regular discussins n tensin levels and issues that culd create vilence in their respective cmmunities. Thrugh these meetings, rganizatins will be able t identify the underlying cnflict factrs and develp jint strategies fr addressing existing tensins befre they lead t vilence. This can bth cntain the level f vilence and strengthen lcal cnflict management capacities t prmte lng-term stability in the cmmunity. T the media: The media shuld cntinue t prvide accurate and cmprehensive infrmatin n gvernment decisins t supprt public awareness and understanding f the develpments in each f the rgans f the state. The media shuld reprt infrmatin respnsibly, using language that is plitically neutral and sensitive t existing tensins. 7

18 Media utlets, particularly natinal and cmmunity radi, shuld cntinue t develp civic educatin prgramming t address issues f natinal cncern, invlving the relevant gvernment and cmmunity actrs. T maximize impact, dnrs shuld supprt increased use f mbile radi activities and use f lcal languages. General: Analysis f incidents shws that perpetratrs and victims f electin vilence were disprprtinately identified as male. T better understand the gender dynamics f vilence and its impact, bth wmen and men shuld be engaged actively t prmte nn-vilence. Imprved understanding f gender rles can result in better targeted cnflict mitigatin and vilence preventin strategies that are led by varius actrs, leading t mre effective utcmes. Organizatins and state bdies prviding civic educatin shuld cntinue activities int the pst-electin perid t prvide updated infrmatin t cmmunities during the cunting and gvernment transitin perids. This can prvide a venue fr cmmunity members t express cncerns ver the meaning f electin results in a cnstructive manner and may prevent sudden escalatin f tensins int vilence as seen in Viqueque and Baucau in early August. Party leaders, cmmunity leaders, and CSOs, especially thse invlved in civic educatin and advcacy, shuld develp sub-district r suc-level frums t facilitate nging cmmunicatin between citizens and relevant gvernment actrs t share infrmatin n gvernment decisins and prgrams. Activities shuld engage state actrs, plitical parties, and ther civil sciety bdies t help clarify any issues that might be raised. Frums culd be rganized arund specific gvernment prcesses such as release f the annual wrk plan and budget, and passing f majr legislatin r plicies. Cnflict-related activities rganized by state and nn-state actrs shuld supprt and cmplement existing cnflict reslutin mechanisms and bdies such as the suc cuncils. BELUN encurages further develpment f the suc cuncils and ther female and male cmmunity leaders as lcal cnflict management resurces thrugh training and ther skills develpment pprtunities. Strengthened capacity t prevent and mitigate cnflict in cmmunities is critical fr the lng-term reductin f vilence. Next steps In the pst-electin perid, it is imprtant t develp mechanisms fr bservatins and recmmendatins frm the varius mnitring bdies t infrm the planning f future electins. Althugh natinal electins will nt take place fr anther five years, the suc cuncil electins planned fr the end f 2008 and ptential municipal assembly electins are pprtunities fr these lessns t be applied. With a netwrk f ver 100 civil sciety partners acrss the thirteen districts, BELUN will seek t mnitr and reprt n vilence during these electins. Mnitring activities will be imprved based n lessns learned and may ptentially invlve expanding the netwrk f EVER mnitrs. Increased cllabratin amng civil sciety rganizatins t mnitr electin vilence will reinfrce civic participatin and strengthen cmmunity respnses t escalating tensins befre 8

19 they turn vilent. BELUN encurages and welcmes any feedback and suggestins frm relevant stakehlders n hw EVER mnitring and reprting can be imprved in the future. Alngside cntinued implementatin f EVER activities during electin perids, BELUN will develp a natinal Early Warning and Early Respnse (EWER) system based n its experience with the EVER initiative and nging partnerships with civil sciety rganizatins. The EWER system will seek t strengthen lcal capacities t address and minimize the impact f vilence and imprve cnflict-sensitive develpment practices. Specifically, EWER can 1) strengthen cmmunity-based respnses t vilence engaging bth state and civil sciety actrs, 2) establish a sustainable mechanism t mnitr tensins and ptential fr vilence and cmmunicate alerts with relevant actrs at natinal and lcal levels, 3) increase awareness f the impact f develpment n cnflict, and 4) supprt gvernment and dnrs t develp plicies and prgramming that address the cnflict factrs exacerbating tensins in cmmunities. The prpsed EWER mechanism will include fur key cmpnents: Cnflict assessment framewrk fr gathering baseline and peridic data n all lcales included in the system, Cnflict knwledge-base t facilitate analysis f the link between develpment and cnflict and prmte mre cnflict-sensitive develpment practices, Peridic reprts and recmmendatins t facilitate critical infrmatin exchange between cmmunities, gvernment and develpment actrs at lcal, natinal, and internatinal levels, and Cmmunity cnflict preventin and respnse netwrks t supprt lcal rganizatins and representatives t mnitr tensin levels and vilence and prvide cnflict management services in their cmmunities. BELUN will seek t establish its EWER system thrugh a staged prcess invlving pilt activities and clse cllabratin with cmmunity, gvernment and develpment actrs ver a tw-year perid. Cmmitment frm these actrs is critical fr the EWER mechanism t becme a sustainable natinal resurce. Thrugh its existing netwrk f partnerships, BELUN will facilitate cperatin amng the varius stakehlders t supprt EWER successfully prevent and mitigate cnflict acrss Timr-Leste. Cnclusin The EVER initiative in Timr-Leste highlights the ptential f civil sciety in cntributing t peaceful electin prcesses and the need fr immediate and sustained management f cnflicts. The 162 incidents reprted between 28 May and 31 August 2007 demnstrate the nging instability and cnflict within cmmunities. Thrugh its mnitring and reprting activities, EVER seeks t encurage cnstructive respnses t cnflicts and prvide cncrete recmmendatins fr state and civil sciety actrs t cnsider. While implemented by BELUN in cllabratin with IFES, active participatin frm all stakehlders is critical fr EVER t be successful in preventing and reducing the impact f electin vilence. Future develpment f EVER activities int an Early Warning and Early Respnse system will imprve cmmunity capacity t address tensins befre they escalate int vilence and minimize the impact f vilence. Increased partnership between state and civil sciety actrs will enable these effrts t realize the brader gal f supprting stability and human security acrss Timr-Leste. 19

20 Rua N. 5 de Farl. P.O Bx. 472, Dili, Timr Leste Office Phne : +(670) Facsimile : +(670) inf.belun@gmail.cm ANNEX A: BELUN Overview BELUN was established in 2004 t blster civil sciety in Timr-Leste and reduce underlying tensins that may lead t vilent cnflict. BELUN s mandate is t serve cmmunities within Timr-Leste, develp the rganizatinal capacity f the partners, reduce tensins and prevent cnflict in Timr-Leste. BELUN means friend r partner in the natinal language, Tetum. The members f the BELUN team have been wrking fr ver five years t strengthen civil sciety rganizatins and prvide needed services t cmmunities in all 13 districts f Timr-Leste. While the majrity f the BELUN team cmes frm a lng histry f wrking tgether with Care Internatinal in Timr-Leste and Clumbia University s Center fr Internatinal Cnflict Reslutin (CICR), members als have extensive experience wrking with the gvernment and ther nn-gvernmental rganizatins, bringing added insights and capacities t the rganizatin. BELUN wrks with mre than 120 CBO/NGO partners acrss all districts. Partnerships with civil sciety rganizatins seek t reinfrce and cnslidate areas f strength and cmpetence while addressing challenges faced bth by the rganizatins themselves and by the cmmunities in which they wrk. T d this, BELUN has five teams strategically sited thrughut the cuntry in Ainar, Baucau, Dili, Maliana, and Oecussi. BELUN wrks primarily in the natinal language, Tetum, the cuntry s tw wrking languages, English and Indnesian, as well as mre than 7 reginal/lcal dialects. This facilitates cmmunicatin and interactin with BELUN s remte and islated partner base, and imprves mnitring and evaluatin f partner activities. Ultimately, BELUN hpes increased civil sciety rganizatinal capacity translates int imprved service delivery acrss sectrs, increased ecnmic independence, and reductin f tensins thrughut Timr-Leste. As such, BELUN administers a small grants prgram t prvide resurces fr particularly innvative and prmising initiatives that are sustainable and seek t cntribute psitively t vibrant cmmunities. BELUN assists partners in implementing prjects acrss a multiplicity f develpment sectrs, including agriculture, educatin, envirnment, health, infrastructure, media, sprts and recreatin, as well as water and sanitatin. BELUN ffers develpment stakehlders a unique service within the Timr-Leste cntext. As an Intermediate Service Organizatin (ISO), BELUN builds bridges between cmmunities, dnrs, gvernment, NGO/INGOs, the UN, and thers. BELUN assists partners in implementing critical scial and ecnmic develpment prjects, while als cnducting rganizatinal capacity building effrts. Since 2004, BELUN has received assistance frm myriad dnrs, including AusAID, the British Embassy, Care Australia, CIDA Canada Fund, the Embassy f Japan, IOM, UNDP, the Wrld Bank, and thers. BELUN prvides help t cmmunities, dnrs, and thers in many frms: Preliminary and peridic cnflict assessments; Extensive facilitatin, planning, and crdinatin at the utset f any CBO/NGO initiative; Prject design, mnitring and evaluatin (DME); Accmpaniment and rigrus versight f prject implementatin; Cnflict management, mitigatin, and preventin services; Crss-sectral and intra-sectral experience and netwrking pprtunities, expanded linkages between and amng civil sciety rganizatins (CSOs), gvernment, the UN, the private sectr, etc.; and Impact assessment and nging fllw-up t ensure sustainability and viability f develpment initiatives Technical supprt, capacity building and training services recgnize that develpment shuld be lng-term and hlistic, with true cmmunity participatin. BELUN's prgram is psited n relatinship building that enhances mutual trust, and leads t better understanding and utcmes fr develpment prgrams. In additin, BELUN seeks t establish cllabrative relatinships with academic institutins in Dili and abrad t facilitate institutinal learning and infrmatin sharing. It is hped that these and ther cntributins t civil sciety and the dnr cmmunity will serve t ensure BELUN s sustainability as a natinal rganizatin ver the lng-term. At present, BELUN is implementing tw cre prgrams, namely a NGO Sectr Strengthening Prgram and a Peace Strengthening prgram.

21 NGO Sectr Strengthening Prgram BELUN, in partnership with ACDI/VOCA, CARE, and CICR implements a prgram t strengthen the NGO sectr in Timr-Leste. Funding is prvided by USAID/Washingtn, with supervisin frm the Office f Private and Vluntary Cperatin in the Bureau f Demcracy, Cnflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA). The 5-year NGO Sectr Strengthening Prgram (NGOSSP; ) builds upn, enhances and expands the highly successful civil sciety strengthening and cnflict preventin activities f bth CARE and CICR in Timr-Leste, while als incrprating ACDI/VOCA s wealth f knwledge in rganizatinal and ecnmic develpment. The NGOSSP includes a fcused prgram f highly participatry needs assessments t identify cmmunity pririties as these may infrm pssibilities fr reducing tensins and preventing vilent respnses t cmmunity challenges. Emphasis is placed n building sund relatinships with CBOs and NGOs based n pen and transparent cmmunicatin. Specialized technical assistance t imprve upn the capabilities f CBO and NGO partners is prvided as necessary in rder t supprt the realizatin f successful initiatives. A strategy t fster the develpment f netwrks further supprts the NGO sectr, using technlgy and ther resurces, by enhancing cperatin, facilitating linkages natinally and strengthening relatinships amng internatinal and Timrese cmmunities. Vehicles fr institutinal learning, cllabratin and crdinatin include the Natinal Database f Cmmunity Develpment Prjects and the Small Grant Dnrs Netwrk, bth managed by BELUN. These tls fr cmmunity-dnr crdinatin enhance awareness and synergistic cperatin thrughut the cuntry. Peace Strengthening In respnse t the nging crisis in Timr-Leste, BELUN has increasingly engaged in humanitarian assistance and return and reintegratin effrts, as the number f internally-displaced persns (IDPs) has swelled acrss Dili and the districts. The peace strengthening prgram seeks t prmte sustainable cmmunity stabilizatin, addressing bth lng and shrt-term needs in cmmunities as a result f the natinal crisis. Fr example, in June and July 2006, BELUN facilitated the tw largest fd distributins undertaken since the Timrese humanitarian crisis began. With supprt frm the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Grup, the privately wned Ataur Express, and gvernmentsubsidized Dinkus Ferry, BELUN transprted mre than 100 metric tns f fd and ther cmmdities t Ataur Island, feeding mre than 9,000 residents and 1,500 IDPs. Since the crisis began, BELUN has als managed a substantial IDP center lcated n and arund its ffice in Dili. Wrking in partnership with the Internatinal Organizatin fr Migratin (IOM), CICR and PRADET, BELUN has undertaken a phased prcess f cnflict assessment, plicy develpment and in-field supprt t cnflict mitigatin activities in targeted cmmunities acrss Dili and the districts. Recgnizing that a single reintegratin mdel fr all areas misses the nuances present within different cmmunities, BELUN cnducted thrugh cnflict assessments acrss Dili t identify underlying mtivatins fr vilence and cmmunity cncerns fr return and reintegratin. The assessments als highlighted the varius factrs enabling certain neighbrhds t remain unscathed by vilence, lting and burning. This psitive deviance infrmatin helped t infrm strategies fr repairing trust and cmmunity mechanisms necessary t prevent future utbreaks f vilence. This has lead t BELUN s technical assistance supprt t Suc Cuncils and brader engagement n plicy develpment. The Gvernment f Timr-Leste (GTL), thrugh the Ministry fr Labr and Cmmunity Reinsertin has incrprated BELUN and IOM plicy recmmendatins int an verarching return and reintegratin strategy, called Simu Malu. Applying the insights f the assessments BELUN prvides supprt t Suc Cuncils in targeted areas, creating rganizatinal develpment and infrmatin-sharing tls, and reinfrcing crdinatin amng thse wrking with relatin t Simu Malu and the President s Cmmissin fr Dialgue. BELUN is nw wrking t integrate its urban-fcused return and reintegratin wrk with its rural-based civil sciety and cmmunity develpment interventins, thereby enhancing human security, strengthening lcal institutins and increasing peace capacities in Timr-Leste. 21

22 Annex B: IFES Overview IFES in Timr-Leste On August 30, 1999, the peple f Timr-Leste vted verwhelmingly in favr f independence frm Indnesia (whse cntrl f the regin had begun shrtly after the exit f clnial administratrs in 1975). This histric vte was fllwed by vilence and destructin cmmitted by pr-integratinist Timrese militias with the supprt f factins within the Indnesian Army. Timr-Leste has nw begun t rebuild its devastated public infrastructure and develp demcratic plitical institutins. Develping a Natinal Electral Framewrk Timr Leste is in the prcess f establishing the legal framewrk that will gvern natinal electins fr the presidency and the legislature. While the cnstitutin f Timr Leste prvides brad guidelines n the electral framewrk, the specific electral prcess and system f representatin in the legislature has yet t be established by law. In 2006 and 2007, the develpment f electin law will lay the fundatin fr all natinal electins and have a prfund influence n the make-up and structure f the legislature. T help Timr Leste create an electral system that strengthens the cuntry s demcratic culture and institutins, IFES is wrking with members f Timr Leste's gvernment t (1) infrm them f best practices used elsewhere in building electral systems and structuring independent versight; (2) prvide technical assistance t drafters f the electral framewrk; and (3) help develp implementing regulatins under the electral law. IFES is als wrking with members f plitical parties and civil sciety t encurage lcal cnsensus and input t the electral legislatin. T prvide the new electral framewrk with independent versight f the electin prcess, IFES is prviding technical assistance t the Natinal Electin Cmmissin (CNE) and its newly appinted cmmissiners t help them prepare t carry ut their versight functins, which are vital t the integrity f the natinal electins. The suc electins (r lcal electins), held in mid-2005, revealed a number f ways that the Technical Secretariat fr Electin Administratin (STAE) culd imprve its administratin f electins. IFES is wrking with the STAE t imprve cnsistency in vter registratin and electin-day prcedures and t develp mre effective vter educatin. Imprving the Electral Prcess Preparing fr the 2007 Electins: As Timr-Leste s independence is still yung, the Timrese Technical Secretariat fr Electin Administratin (STAE) has begun preparatins fr the first electins held in the cuntry by an entirely natinal staff (scheduled fr 2007). IFES prvided STAE with supprt related t cmmunicatin and technlgy and helped it develp and manage a vter registratin database. With USAID supprt, IFES trained lcal IT persnnel t maintain and prvide cntinuus updates t the database, and t the STAE Web site ( which was launched in late Under IFES guidance, the STAE s cmmunicatin capabilities increased significantly, and it is better prepared as an institutin t meet the challenge f electins. Rle f the CNE: IFES assisted the Natinal Electin Cmmissin (CNE) in its cnstitutinally mandated versight f the Suc (village-level) electins in In additin, IFES prvided recmmendatins t assist future CNE members in their preparatins fr the anticipated 2007 natinal electins. Vter Educatin: In March 2005, IFES helped launch a brad-based infrmatin campaign by ffering recmmendatins, including the develpment f the Vter Cmmunicatin and Educatin Office t serve as a link between the media and the electral prcess; the prductin f vter educatin materials addressing the 2004 Suc electins; and the develpment f civic educatin campaigns in lcal newspapers, radi, and televisin statins. Partnerships: IFES actively supprted the develpment f partnerships between the electral bdies and apprpriate lcal institutins (bth gvernmental and nngvernmental). Fr example, a new cperative prgram between STAE and the University f Timr will result in the creatin f an electin administratin curriculum t train new electin fficials. Abut IFES IFES is an internatinal nnprfit, nnpartisan rganizatin that supprts the building f demcratic scieties. IFES is headquartered in Washingtn, DC, and currently has field ffices in mre than 20 cuntries. Since 1987, IFES has prvided technical assistance t ver 100 cuntries in transitin in the areas f electin administratin, civil sciety building, human rights, rule f law and gd gvernance.

23 Annex C: Mnitr Weekly Reprting Frm EVER Mnitrs Weekly Summary Reprt Mnitr Name: Sub-District(s): District: Week #: Dates Cvered: t I. Summary f majr events and bservatins (what is the general md f the cmmunity, yur impressin f the week are yu ptimistic r cncerned by what yu have learned; what happened at campaign events, etc.): II. Hw many verified incidents did yu reprt this week? A. Hw many incidents are nt verified frm this r past weeks (that is, yu have less than 2 surces and are still fllwing up)? B. Are incidents related are there any trends (that is, patterns)? Are specific cmmunities, plitical parties r wmen being targeted? Are there ther patterns? III. Is the plitical situatin in yur areas: Openly vilent (vilence ccurred mre than 3 days this week r mre than nce a day fr tw days) Highly tense (vilence ccurred this week but nt s frequently) Smewhat tense (peple n the street can be heard arguing, r party supprters are tearing dwn psters, r prtest are ccurring frequently, ptential fr vilence is high, peple have changed their rutines due t security cncerns) Smewhat calm (peple may be discussing plitics r prblems r cncerns, but ptential fr vilence seems lw, peple are ging abut their daily rutines) Very calm (there is little plitical argument, peple are ptimistic abut the future, abut security, rutines are nrmal) IV. Is this rating f the plitical situatin: Better than the previus week (that is, there is lwer tensin, less ptential fr vilence)? Why d yu think s? Please give examples f last week and this week t explain yur viewpint. Wrse than the previus week (that is, there is higher tensin, mre ptential fr vilence)? Why d yu think s? Please give examples f last week and this week t explain yur viewpint. Same as the previus week Why d yu think s? Please give examples f last week and this week t explain yur viewpint. V. Interviews (write the number f each f the fllwing yu spke with this week) Lcal gvernment fficials Lcal electin fficials and electin wrkers Plitical Party leaders Media Plice Frce Army r ther Military Frces Civil Sciety Organisatins Religius leaders Business leaders Cmmunity leaders Teachers/educatin leader Other Electin Observers Citizens in yur cmmunity 23

24 VI. Activities (write the number f events attended and which party rganized it, r what ther rganizers were invlved). Write ntes frmf any speeches were inciting vilence, r highly insulting t ther parties / candidates. Campaign Event / rganizing plitical party Campaign Event / rganizing plitical party Campaign Event / rganizing plitical party Campaign Event / rganizing plitical party Campaign Event / rganizing plitical party Other event / rganizer Objective: Other event / rganizer Objective: VII. Activities t prmte peace r prevent vilence r cnflict (Such as dialgues between parties, meetings between cmmunity leaders and security, sprts r music activities, etc.): VIII. Fcus (that is, plans) fr the Next Week: IX. Needed frm BELUN Reginal Crdinatr: 24

25 Annex D: Incident Reprting Frm BELUN / IFES (Check all that apply unless therwise nted) Mnitr: Reprt Date: 1. Date f Incident: 2. Time f Incident: (check ne) 6am-8am 8am-10am 10am - 12pm 12pm - 2pm 2pm 4pm 4pm - 6pm 6pm - 8pm 8pm-10pm 10pm - 12am 12am - 6am Unable t Determine 3. District: 3a. Sub-District: 3b. Suc: 4. Aldeia: 6.a. Incident Title: b. Incident Descriptin: 7. Surces f Infrmatin: (Check at least TWO t publish, yu may send with ONE fr HQ feedback) Eyewitness(es) (see 7a. belw) Plice reprt/persnnel Mnitr was eyewitness (the Mnitr wh is filling the Frm) Media (see 7b. belw) State agent/actr statement (specify actr/agency) 7a. Eyewitnesses: Eyewitness Title/Psitin b. Media: Other Newspaper1 (specify name) (specify date) Newspaper2 (specify name) (specify date) TV TL (specify prgram) ( specify date) Eyewitness Organizatin/Affiliatin Other (Specify) Hspital reprt/persnnel Radi (specify statin) (specify prgram) (specify date) (specify) 8. Place f Incident: (Check nly ne) In/near plling statin (specify name r number) Gvernment ffice/prperty (specify) In/near registratin ffice (specify name r number) CNE Office (specify name/district) Street / public area Private hme (Whse hme? What STAE Office/ facility (specify name/district party r affiliatin?) Other electin ffice/facility (specify) Plitical party ffice/facility (what party?) Other (specify)

26 9. Perpetratr f Vilence (check ONLY ne in a) and b) ) a) Individual ver 15 Grup, inexact cunt Unable t Determine b) Gender M F Bth present Unable t Determine c) Plitical party leader / candidate (what party?) Mb/ Civil Unrest Plitical party/ candidate supprter (what party?) Persn paid by plitical party / candidate (what party?) CNE staff STAE staff Other electin wrker (Wrking fr wh?) Gvernment fficial(which fficial?) Other (specify) Unable t Determine PNTL F-FDTL ISF UNPl Private security actr (specify firm) Fiscais (Which party?) Electin bserver / Mnitr (what grup?) 10. Victim f Vilence: (Include damage t prperty) a) Individual Grup Prperty Unable t Determine b) Gender M F Bth present Unable t Determine c) Plitical party leader / candidate (what party?) Vter(s) Plitical party/ candidate supprter (what party?) Persn paid by plitical party / candidate (what party?) Fiscais (Which party?) Electin bserver / Mnitr (what grup?) Jurnalist / Media Electin ffice/facility Electin ballt, material r prcess Gvernment ffice/prperty CNE staff STAE staff Private prperty r building Other electin wrker (Wrking fr wh?) Gvernment fficial(which fficial?) Other (specify) PNTL F-FDTL ISF UNPl Unable t Determine Private security actr (specify firm) 11. Type f Vilence: 12. Methd f Vilence/Weapn: Murder Physical harm / trture Bmb/explsives Arsn Attempted murder Sexual assault Mrtar/Other Artillery Stnes/thrwing bjects Kidnapping / attempted kidnapping Threat f physical harm Gun/firearm Fists/physical means Jail / arbitrary detentin Clashes Knives/stabbing N weapn Intimidatin / psychlgical abuse Theft Other (specify) Verbal harassment Destructin f prperty Unable t determine Other (specify) Unable t Determine 13. Impact f Vilence: Persn(s) killed (specify number) Interference with vting /vters dispersed r left area Persn(s) wunded (specify number) Cancelled electin lcally natinally Disrupted vte cunt Pstpned Electin lcally natinally Persn(s) kidnapped (specify number) Re-run electin lcally natinally Other (specify) Cmplaint filed with CNE Theft Unable t determine Other (specify) 14. Cnfidence in infrmatin: 1 = MOST cnfident < > 5 = LEAST cnfident a) In the identificatin f perpetratr? b) That the mtive was electin-related? NOTES. (yu culd mentin hw security, gvernment, parties, respnded. Or reprt what yu wuld recmmend needs t happen next. Or, nte any IMPACT f the vilence that is nt included in #13 (that is, are peple nw afraid, did a candidate withdraw frm the list? 6

27 Annex E: Map f Incidents f Vilence by Sub-District