Heroes for a Better World

José Ramos-Horta
(1949-)

East Timorese Politician, 2nd President of East Timor
1993 Rafto Prize for Human Rights
1996 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

birthdate: December 26
birthplace:
Dili, East Timor

In 2007, José Manuel Ramos Horta became the 2nd President of East Timor since it gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. Living in exile as a University professor in Australia during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor from 1975 to 1999, Ramos Horta acted as the spokesperson for the East Timorese resistance. He brought the plight of the East Timorese people to the international community's attention and spoke out against human rights violations committed by the occupying Indonesian military forces as well as promoting a peace plan that sought to end the violence in his country. He and Bishop Carlos F.X. Belo received the 1996 Nobel Prize for Peace for their efforts to bring peace and independence to East Timor. José Manuel Ramos Horta gave his award and his portion of the million dollar prize to a program providing microcredit to the poor. In 1999, with Indonesia's occupation over, the United Nations created a UN Transition Administration in East Timor and Ramos Horta was finally able to return to his country. He continued to advocate for forgiveness and reconciliation as the way to heal the new country and was appointed as East Timor's foreign minister in 2000. He continued this position after East Timor gained its independence in 2002, becoming the new country's first Foreign Minister, until 2006 when he became the Prime Minister. In May 2007 he was elected as the nation's President, receiving 70% of the votes.


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