United Nations Security Council Resolution 1257

Resolution 1257 of the UN Security Council has unanimously adopted having regard to the Council Resolution 1246 on 3 August 1999. Thus, the United Nations decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in East Timor ( UNAMET ).

Background

1974 Indonesia had the former colony of Portuguese Timor busy, as this was in the independence in the process of dismissal. Since then, there was a guerrilla war between East Timorese and Indonesians, the international law in 1975 annexed the country. Directly and indirectly 183,000 people were killed by the occupation. Agreed in 1999, the former colonial power Portugal and Indonesia to conduct a referendum on independence in East Timor over the country's future. But in early 1999 began pro-Indonesia militias ( Wanra ) intimidate through violence the population. With Resolution 1246, the posting of police advisers and liaison officers within the UNAMET was decided to ensure a free vote. However, the violence continued in East Timor.

The resolution

The UN Security Council took note of the report of the Secretary-General of 28 July 1999 ( S/1999/830 ), by informing the President of the Security Council of its decision to postpone the referendum on August 30, and therefore the Council to extend the mandate UNAMET to ask for one month. The mandate was extended until 30 September 1999.

Follow

In it, a clear majority of the East Timorese for independence from Indonesia, which led to a recent wave of violence by the Indonesian security forces and Wanra decided. 2,000 to 3,000 people were killed, about three quarters of the population of East Timor was on the run or has been sold. By Resolution 1264 of the UN Security Council, the Security Council therefore decided to send a military intervention force ( INTERFET ). East Timor 's independence came in 2002 under UN administration (UNTAET ) until discharge.