17th November 2009

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A University of Ulster researcher who has recently returned from East Timor is advising the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on issues of justice and impunity in the troubled territory.

Dr Paul Hainsworth, a senior lecturer from the School of Criminology, Politics and Social Policy, met with members of the FCO in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group at Westminster to discuss the international community’s concerns regarding Timor-Leste. 

He was one of a select group of senior academics from across the United Kingdom and Australia invited to meet with the FCO alongside members of leading Non-Governmental Organisations.

A recognised expert in Timorese politics and a member of the Social and Policy Research Institute at Ulster, Dr Hainsworth outlined the international dimension of the truth process in East Timor.  

He said: “As one of the United Nations’ most recent members, and following a period of serious conflict in the territory, Timor-Leste is at an important stage in its development.

“Issues of human rights, justice and impunity are at the centre of current debates. At the same time, the country is looking to enhance its socio-economic development and address issues such as infrastructural construction, health, poverty and unemployment.  

“The international community has a constructive role to play in these and other matters and the recent debate at the United Nations will have served to focus attention here.”

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk