Contributed by:

max ediger

January 15 – 22, 2001

While visiting East Timor, the need for reconciliation between villagers who had earlier joined the militias and the people whom they had abused during their time in power, was brought up often. Some foreign organisations working in the country had designed rather complex programs to deal with this on a large scale. It was a Pakistani member of the UN police force who put it into perspective for us.

He related that in one village three members of a militia returned to their old village after spending some time in exile in West Timor. Strong feelings immediately emerged because these three men had beaten some of their neighbours and had burned down a number of homes including the village meeting hall. The village members all came together to hold a trial. The three men had no option but to admit to their crime since everyone in the village new them and had witnessed their behaviour. After hearing their confessions, the elders spoke up. "A crime like this must be punished. There must be justice."

Fearing the worst, the three hung their heads in fear. Then the elders continued. "You have destroyed our homes and our meeting hall. We have already collected the materials to rebuild these buildings. You must each rebuild the homes you are responsible for burning and then you must rebuild our meeting hall."

Quickly the three men set to work. They worked hard and the villagers watched them closely to see if they would do a good job or not. In time all of the buildings had been rebuilt.

Once again the elders called a meeting. First they collected a small amount of money from each villager, and with that money they bought a cow that was slaughtered and the meat prepared for a feast. When all was ready all of the villagers gathered around the food.

"You have paid for your crimes," the elders said. "Now let us share this meal together so that forgiveness can be complete."

The crime was paid for and forgiven.