Asia-Pacific

Death announced of East Timor peace campaigner Tom Hyland (72)

Tributes to former Ballyfermot bus driver led by President Michael D Higgins

Tom Hyland speaking at a conference in Croke Park in 2006. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien / The Irish Times
Tom Hyland speaking at a conference in Croke Park in 2006. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien / The Irish Times
David Shanks
Tue Dec 24 2024 - 14:55

President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to East Timor peace campaigner Tom Hyland who died after a long illness in Dili, the Timorese capital. He was 72.

Mr Hyland, a former bus driver from Ballyfermot, formed the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign (ETISC) the day after he saw a film on television about the 1991 cemetery massacre of about 100 young mourners by Indonesian troops. Timor later became independent Timor-Leste after a 1999 United Nations referendum.

President Higgins described him as “one of those exceptional people who, having familiarised himself with what was happening far away from Ireland, decided to take action on an issue of humanity that could not be ignored”.

Mr Hyland retained a strong connection with East Timor over the decades, living and working there for significant periods. He campaigned tirelessly together with other international solidarity groups against the brutal 24-year illegal Indonesian military occupation. A third of the population was estimated to have been killed during that time.

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“As the driving force behind the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign, Tom Hyland made a deeply significant contribution to the independence struggle and establishment of Timor-Leste,” President Higgins said.

John Pilger’s television documentary Cold Blood: The Massacre of East Timor, inspired his “ceaseless work to bring the matter to the attention of not just the Irish public, but that of the world”, President Higgins said.

“During his bus breaks, he began contacting people who might be of assistance in drawing attention to the struggle of the people of East Timor. I recall Tom contacting me around the time of his establishment of the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign in order to seek my support and we remained in touch on the issue over the years.

“The significant contribution made by the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign was recognised as one of the most effective globally by the Timor-Leste government after independence and Tom was central to this work, including in encouraging the Irish government to play a commendable role in the establishment of democracy.”

In recognition of the positive impact of the ETISC in supporting the struggle for independence of the Timorese people, ETISC was presented with the Order of Timor-Leste Presidential Medal by President Taur Matan Ruak.

Following Mr Hyland’s interventions, David Andrews, then Irish minister for foreign affairs, became an EU special envoy to East Timor and brought a planeload of observers to the UN independence referendum in 1999. Irish aid agencies Concern, Trócaire, and Goal all established branches in East Timor, while gardaí and Irish soldiers served as UN peacekeepers there.

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In 2003 Mr Hyland’s work was honoured by the conferring of a Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Limerick.

Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmão said the country had “lost one of its own”.

“After contributing so much to our struggle, Tom made Timor-Leste his home following our independence. He was central to the relationship of solidarity between the Timorese and Irish peoples, serving as honorary consul of Ireland to Timor-Leste until his passing. Tom showed a quiet commitment to nation building, working at our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and teaching English to its staff. Tom was never one to seek attention, but he was always with us.

“Even as his health declined, Tom would walk around Dili, supported by a cane and graced with his warm humour and knowing smile. Timorese children would often approach him, putting their forehead to his hand as a gesture of deep respect for his contribution to our people.”

President José Ramos-Horta said Mr Hyland’s work inspired many, including young activists: “Tom was not just a supporter of East Timor’s struggle for independence; he was a passionate voice that resonated across continents. His tireless efforts through the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign played a crucial role in raising awareness about the plight of my people during some of our darkest days. He understood that solidarity knows no borders, and he worked tirelessly to forge connections between our struggles, reminding us all that we are stronger together.”

Mr Hyland, who had suffered from several illnesses, died in the early hours of Christmas Eve after being hospitalised at the end of October. His funeral is expected to take place in Dili on Thursday.