*photography: >>photo essays: East Timor - memorial

Each year on November 12, thousands of Timorese people attend a memorial in Dili to honour hundreds of people who died in the massacre by Indonesian forces at Santa Cruz cemetery in 1991. Many walk to the capital from mountain villages, joining local residents to march in a long procession from Dili's waterfront to the cemetery. These images show Timorese school students and members of Arte Moris Free Arts school and Bibi Bulak Theatre troupe at Santa Cruz cemetery on November 12, 2003.  

*The massacre of Timorese civilians by Indonesian military forces at Santa Cruz cemetery occurred on November 12, 1991. More than 500 were killed, most were youth and children. The youngest victim was 7 years old. It was the first time in 16 years of Indonesian military occupation that such an event - a common occurrence since 1975, was documented on video. Investigative journalist and film maker Max Stahl's footage was broadcast globally, bringing the plight of the Timorese people to the world' s attention and contributing significantly to international solidarity with East Timor's quest for independence. East Timor achieved independence with a U.N sponsored referendum ballot in 1999, becoming the youngest democracy in the world.