Political Activities
Da Silva joined FRETILIN in 1974 and was a founding member of the FRETILIN External Branch in Lisbon.
In 1976, Mr Da Silva interrupted his studies in Lisbon and was sent to Australia by the FRETILIN leadership to lobby support for Timor Leste’s independence struggle. During that time Australian supporters of Timor Leste’s independence struggle (Campaign for Independence of East Timor - CIET) requested that Da Silva assist Neville Cunningham and António Belo operate a radio connection to the FRETILIN leadership in Timor-Leste. As Da Silva was not an Australian resident, he had to operate the radio underground and spent six months in bush of the Northern Territory in radio contact with the FRETILIN leadership in Timor-Leste.
In September 1976, Da Silva and Cunningham were encircled and arrested by the Northern Territory police and the radio link was stopped. Da Silva was released after a one day trial and he decided to settle in Mozambique . The radio link was later re-established by FRETILIN members and Australian supporters of Timor Leste's struggle for independence.
Upon his return to Australia in 1985, Da Silva campaigned tirelessly for Timor-Leste's independence. This included speaking at public forums, organising demonstrations against the illegal Indonesian occupation, organising fundraising activities and lobbying MPs. Da Silva also maintained regular contact with the clandestine movement and the FRETILIN leadership in Timor Leste and assisted in helping persons in danger of persecution in Timor Leste escape and settle in Australia. In 1994 he became FRETILIN Representative in Australia.
Da Silva was voted into the FRETILIN Central Committee in 1998 at the FRETILIN National Conference held in Sydney, Australia. His mandate was renewed at the First National Congress in 2001 as well as the Second National Congress which was held in May 2006. He was elected Chairperson in both events. He is also one of the 15 members of the National Political Commission of FRETILIN which leads the work of the party between the FRETILIN Central Committee meetings.
He was re-elected to a seat in parliament in the June 2007 parliamentary election as the ninth name on FRETILIN's candidate list.
Read more about this topic: Estanislau Da Silva
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