My people and I wishing you a Happy INDEPENDENCE day EAST TIMOR -May 20,2002-20,2023. A big congratulations on your 21st Independence day. Enjoy your Freedom. 
Today we celebrate the Independence of East Timor, which became official on a day like today 21 years ago.
On Aug. 30, 1999, a referendum took place in East Timor in which 78.50% of the population demanded independence from Indonesia.
The country had been attempting to liberate itself first from Portuguese, and later Indonesian rule for decades prior to their final victory in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The left-wing Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (pictured) led the fight for independence.
The 1999 referendum day, however, was marred by anti-independence paramilitary groups that reacted violently to the results. The violent armed groups received training and resources from U.S. backed Indonesian military units, that had been deployed to oversee the voting. The paramilitary groups had been threatening and inflicting violence for months before the referendum day.
The violence peaked the days after the referendum results, with a final casualty count of 1,400. The deaths and violence were denied by the Indonesian government and military calling it “fantasies” and “lies”. International media too were complicit in that they failed to report the events widely, probably due to the fact the independence movement was led by a left-wing movement.
Due to international pressure, especially from solidarity groups in Australia, Portugal, and the United States, Indonesia’s government announced it would withdraw their troops and allow a UN-peacekeeping force to enter. After two years of being controlled by a UN administration, East Timor was finally officially independent on May 20, 2002.
Please do not forget your Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papuan suffering under same Indonesian colonial rules.
We are calling on all friends and comrades from Timor-Leste to please support your brothers and sisters still suffering under illegal Indonesian occupation in West Papua and are being killed, raped and tortured everyday by the Indonesian military and police.
Timor-Leste is West Papua’s inspiration for freedom and revolution from Indonesian colonial rule.
West Papua was an independent nation like Timor-Leste but after just 18 months of independence, was invaded by Indonesia in 1963, West Papua was and still is systematically bombed with villages burned and women and children raped by the Indonesian military.
Timor-Leste, your struggle for freedom and independence from Indonesia has been won, but please always remember that the people of West Papua still suffer under Indonesian colonialism.
Every Papuan dreams of the day their people will be able to stand together in freedom but for now so much of their suffering remains unheard because of the interests of foreign governments and companies over the resources of the West Papuan people.
Since the invasion of their country, the people of West Papua have suffered genocide at the hands of the Indonesian military.
Over 500,000 (one in 4 people) innocent West Papuan people have been killed by the Indonesian military and police since 1963 and anyone calling for independence for West Papua is imprisoned or killed by Indonesia.
The Papuan people will never give up their fight for freedom but they desperately need the help of the international community including Timor-Leste whose solidarity and support is so vital to the struggle of the West Papuan people who also understand what it is like to endure genocide and illegal Indonesian occupation of their country.
The people of Timor-Leste now have a voice for the international community.
Please help to spread the message of the people of West Papua.
We know that your struggle for freedom was ignored by the outside world for so long but we have always stood by you now and then for the freedom and revolution for your country and your people.
The people of West Papua always pray that their comrades and friends in Timor-Leste will stand up for the freedom and rights of the West Papuan people.
Your support is some of the most crucial in the world for West Papua and every single Timorese person who raises their voice for freedom in West Papua is already a hero and great friend of the Papuan people, who still struggle for independence from Indonesia.
Let us never forget what happened to the people of Timor-Leste, nor that it was the Indonesian military which committed such evil atrocities.
They are still committing the same crimes against humanity in West Papua today.
Freedom came to East Timor, Freedom will come to West Papua!
Timor-Leste, you are our inspiration.
We stand in hope and solidarity with your people before, now and forever.
Our greatest thanks and respect to you all.
A luta continua!
VIVA TIMOR! PAPUA MERDEKA!
Melanesia News 