The President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, today, 35 years after the massacre of the cemetery of Santa Cruz, the union of Timorese to build peace and sustainable development.
© Lusa
12/11/2026
by
Lusa
O President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, today, 35 years after the massacre of the cemetery of Santa Cruz, the union of Timorese to build peace and sustainable development.
“ We celebrate this day not only to remember the history of struggle and sacrifice for our independence, but also to strengthen the unity, peace, solidarity and national identity that unites us as one people”, one can read, in a message released to the press.
In the message, which also marks the 21st anniversary of the National Youth Day, José Ramos-Horta asks all “timorenses to unite in building peace and prosperity, for sustainable development”.
“ Our new battlefield is no longer the conflict, but the creation, innovation and regional competition”, says the Nobel Peace Prize in the message.
“ I urge our young people to master technology, embrace education, reject division and become leaders in all areas. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the agents of change today,” the President said.
The massacre in Santa Cruz, which marks its 35th anniversary today, was one of the most serious in Timor-Leste, when Indonesian troops stopped, beaten and signed young Timorese people, who manifested themselves in the capital after Sebastião Gomes was killed by Indonesian police on October 28, 1991.
According to committee numbers 12 November, 2,261 people participated in the demonstration, 74 were identified as having died on site and 127 died in the following days in the military hospital or as a result of the persecution of occupying forces.