Timorese independence movement

The Timorese independence movement is a fight by East Timor’s people to establish their own nation, separate from Indonesia, which invaded and occupied their territory in 1975 after a brief independence declaration from Portugal. Over decades, Timorese activists and citizens campaigned against Indonesian rule, facing violence and repression. International pressure and local resistance eventually led to a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999, where the majority voted for independence. East Timor officially became an independent nation in 2002, reflecting decades of struggle for self-determination, sovereignty, and recognition.