New Zealand Defence Force
by Major Bede Fahey, PRO NZFOREM Timor
Warning: Graphic Image may offend The extent of the savagery in East Timor is now becoming more obvious as INTERFET troops gain a widespread presence
throughout the country and more of the militia handiwork comes to light. Reports of hastily buried bodies are an almost
daily occurrence as the effect of weather and wild dogs make these often remote grave sites more distinguishable.
Image courtesy of New Zealand Defence
Investigation teams have been formed to follow up these reports and attempt to build a picture of what happened, who
these people were and who may have been responsible for what in many cases have been incredibly brutal, calculated
slayings. Three New Zealand Army military policemen are currently working on these teams as part of INTERFET’s Special
Investigation Section. They are working under the UN mandate which gives them authority to investigate crimes against
humanity in East Timor and collect evidence which may later be used to prosecute those suspected of these crimes.
The job of these teams is not a pleasant one. Along with medical staff and representatives from the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) they must firstly locate these sites and then establish if indeed there are bodies
present. If bodies are located, an exhumation is carried out and the remains examined by a military doctor who will try
and establish a cause of death. This has often proved difficult due to the advanced state of decomposition but with some
it has been only too starkly obvious. Fractured skulls, bullet holes and severed limbs give a chilling indication of the
last minutes of these peoples lives. Once all evidence has been collected the remains are removed to a local cemetery
for reburial along with a small service conducted by a military chaplain.
For the New Zealand military investigators, this job is a challenging and ongoing one. Corporal Mark Anderson said,
“None of us have had much previous experience working on homicides but we’re all trained investigators and we’ll work
through these inquiries to the very best of our ability. If we can bring just one person to justice it will make this
nine months worthwhile.”
The scene as yet another body is brought in for reburial in the outskirts of Dili is moving. A group of local people
quickly gather around and join the chaplain in prayers for a person they will never know, while young girls toss flowers
into the grave. As Corporal Anderson commented, “If any pleasure can be taken out of this, it’s to see these people
moved from some unknown gravesite and buried with some dignity.”