The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Informal portrait of Australian Federal Police (AFP) Sergeant Paul Morris, a member of the United Nations Mission East Timor (UNAMET), standing in the doorway to a shop in the Ermera market place. UNAMET was sent to East Timor on 11 June 1999, to organise, conduct and supervise the referendum, held on 30 August 1999, to allow the East Timorese to choose between autonomy within Indonesia or independence. Following the overwhelming vote for independence, the pro-Indonesian militia launched a campaign of destruction, arson and murder, killing approximately 1500 people and forcing 300,000 others into West Timor as refugees. Due to this the mandate of UNAMET was extended from 31 August 1999 to 30 September 1999, although most members were evacuated by 20 September when the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) was sent in.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Officer, Sergeant Phil Hunter a member of the United Nations Mission East Timor (UNAMET) washing his uniform in a bucket. UNAMET were sent to East Timor on 11 June 1999
A burnt out house and car in the village of Ermera, destroyed by pro-Indonesian militia during the vote registration period. The United Nations Mission East Timor (UNAMET) was sent to East Timor on 11
Members of the United Nations Mission East Timor (UNAMET) registering local East Timorese to vote in the upcoming referendum for independence. UNAMET was sent to East Timor on 11 June 1999, to organis
Informal portrait of members of the United Nations Mission East Timor (UNAMET) standing in a street in Ermera. Identified, left to right: Sandra Chestnutt, Australian District Electoral Officer (DEO);
Personal items strewn on a small table and shelves in the building used as the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Headquarters. Members of the AFP are in East Timor as part of the United Nations Mission
Informal portrait of Sergeant Phil Hunter, Australian Federal Police (AFP) (centre), part of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), with two local interpreters employed by the United Natio
