New book details sexual violence endured by Timorese women from Indonesian soldiers
A new book documents the systemic sexual violence and torture inflicted upon Timorese women by Indonesian soldiers during the occupation of Timor-Leste. Survivors share harrowing accounts of their experiences at the notorious Hotel Flamboyan.
Why it matters
It brings historical atrocities to light, contributing to the ongoing process of truth-telling and justice for victims of the Indonesian occupation.
During Indonesia's occupation of Timor-Leste, Hotel Flamboyan was notorious as a place of detention, torture and sexual violence. ( ABC News graphic: Jarrod Fankhauser )
Link copied Share Share article From the street, Baucau's Hotel Flamboyan appears elegant and historic, its aging façade a reminder of Timor-Leste's Portuguese colonial past.
But for Maria de Fátima the building holds very different memories.
Warning: This story contains references to sexual abuse and degradation.
During Indonesia's occupation of Timor-Leste, the hotel in the country's second-largest city was used by the military and became notorious as a place of detention, torture and sexual violence.
The hotel was used as a military base during Indonesia's occupation of Timor-Leste. ( ABC News: Vonia Vieira )
Ms de Fátima says she was first arrested in 1975 after her brother was suspected of supporting Fretilin, the movement that led the country's resistance to Indonesian rule.
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