José Ramos-Horta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Ramos-Horta
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Horta at the Palácio do Planalto in 2023
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| 4th and 7th President of East Timor | |
| Assumed office 20 May 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Taur Matan Ruak Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Francisco Guterres |
| In office 17 April 2008 – 20 May 2012 |
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| Prime Minister | Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Fernando de Araújo (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Taur Matan Ruak |
| In office 20 May 2007 – 11 February 2008 |
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| Prime Minister | Estanislau da Silva Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Xanana Gusmão |
| Succeeded by | Vicente Guterres (acting) |
| 3rd Prime Minister of East Timor | |
| In office 26 June 2006 – 19 May 2007 |
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| President | Xanana Gusmão |
| Preceded by | Mari Alkatiri |
| Succeeded by | Estanislau da Silva |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
José Manuel Ramos-Horta
26 December 1949 Dili, Portuguese Timor (now East Timor) |
| Political party | CNRT (2022–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Fretilin (until 1988) Independent (1988–2022) |
| Spouse | Ana Pessoa (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Antioch University The Hague Academy of International Law International Institute of Human Rights Columbia University |
| Signature |  |
José Manuel Ramos-Horta (born December 26, 1949) is a leader from East Timor. He has been the president of East Timor since 2022. He also served as president from 2007 to 2012.
Before becoming president, he was the country's Foreign Minister from 2002 to 2006. He also served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007.
In 1996, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He shared it with Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo. They received the award for their work to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor.
Ramos-Horta was a founder of Fretilin, a political party. He spoke for the East Timorese people during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor (1975–1999). He later became an independent politician in 1988.
After East Timor became independent in 2002, Ramos-Horta became its first foreign minister. He resigned in 2006 during a time of political trouble. He then became acting prime minister and was sworn in as the second prime minister of East Timor. In 2007, he was elected as President. He was shot during an assassination attempt in 2008 but recovered.
After his first term as president ended in 2012, he worked for the United Nations. He was re-elected as president in 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Education
José Ramos-Horta was born in 1949 in Dili, the capital of East Timor. His father was Portuguese, and his mother was part Portuguese and part Timorese. His father and grandfather were sent to Timor by Portuguese authorities.
He went to a Catholic mission school in Soibada. This village later became a headquarters for the Fretilin party. Four of his eleven brothers and sisters were killed by the Indonesian military.
Ramos-Horta studied international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in 1983. He also earned a master's degree in Peace Studies from Antioch University in 1984. He learned about human rights law in Strasbourg in 1983. He also took courses on American foreign policy at Columbia University.
Personal Life
Since 1987, he has been a Senior Associate Member at St Antony's College, Oxford. He can speak five languages very well. These are Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, and Tetum. Tetum is the most common language in East Timor.
Ramos-Horta is divorced from Ana Pessoa Pinto. She was East Timor's Minister for State and Internal Administration. They have one son, Loro Horta, who was born when they were living in exile in Mozambique.
Political Journey
Ramos-Horta became very active in politics in Portuguese Timor. Because of this, he was sent away from the country for two years (1970–1971). His grandfather had also been sent away from Portugal to other places.
He was a moderate voice among the Timorese leaders who wanted independence. In November 1975, he was made Foreign Minister in the new "Democratic Republic of East Timor" government. He was only 25 years old when he became minister. Three days before Indonesian troops invaded, Ramos-Horta left East Timor. He went to speak for his country at the United Nations.
Ramos-Horta arrived in New York to speak to the United Nations Security Council. He asked them to act against the Indonesian occupation. During this time, about 102,000 East Timorese people died. For the next ten years, Ramos-Horta was the main representative for Fretilin at the UN. He often had very little money during this time. He traveled worldwide to explain his party's goals.
In 1993, the Rafto Prize was given to the people of East Timor. Ramos-Horta accepted the award for his nation. In 1994, the President of the Philippines tried to stop a meeting about East Timor. Ramos-Horta was even banned from entering some countries.
In December 1996, Ramos-Horta shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Ximenes Belo. The Nobel Committee honored them for their "sustained efforts to hinder the oppression of a small people." They hoped the award would help find a peaceful solution for East Timor. Ramos-Horta said he uses the Nobel Peace Prize to help his country and other people.
The Committee called Ramos-Horta "the leading international spokesman for East Timor's cause since 1975."
Ramos-Horta played a key role in setting up East Timor's independence. He led discussions with the UN to create a new plan for the country. This plan led to a joint government with leaders from the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT). This new government helped build the country's foundations for independence. On September 27, 2002, East Timor joined the United Nations. Ramos-Horta became its first Foreign Minister.
Becoming Prime Minister (2006–2007)
In June 2006, Ramos-Horta also became the Interim Minister of Defense. This happened after the previous minister resigned. He then resigned from both Foreign and Defense Minister roles on June 25, 2006. He said he did not want to be part of the current government.
After Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigned, Ramos-Horta agreed to become prime minister. On July 8, 2006, President Xanana Gusmão officially appointed him. He was sworn in on July 10.
Before becoming prime minister, some thought Ramos-Horta might become the next United Nations Secretary-General. He decided to serve East Timor instead. However, he has said he might be interested in the UN position in the future.
First Time as President (2007)
In February 2007, Ramos-Horta announced he would run for president. He received support from President Gusmão, who was not running again. Ramos-Horta has said that Mahatma Gandhi was his greatest hero.
In the first round of the election, Ramos-Horta came in second place. He then went to a second round of voting in May against Francisco Guterres. On May 11, Ramos-Horta won with 69.18% of the votes.
He became President of East Timor in a ceremony in Dili on May 20, 2007. He had resigned as Prime Minister the day before. Estanislau da Silva took over as prime minister.
Assassination Attempt
On February 11, 2008, Ramos-Horta was shot during an assassination attempt. One of his guards was hurt, and two rebel soldiers were killed. Ramos-Horta was taken to a hospital in Dili, then to Australia for more treatment. Doctors believed he was shot two or three times. His right lung was seriously injured.
He was in a serious but stable condition. He was put into a special sleep to help him heal. He woke up on February 21. On March 12, a message from Ramos-Horta was broadcast. He thanked his supporters and Australia. He said he was recovering well and taking short walks.
Ramos-Horta left the hospital on March 19. He stayed in Australia for more physical therapy. On April 17, he returned to Dili. He asked the remaining rebels to give up.
2012 Presidential Election
In the first round of the 2012 presidential elections, Ramos-Horta came in third place. He was allowed to run for a second term as president. He accepted his defeat. His term as president ended on May 19, when Taur Matan Ruak became the new president.
Second Time as President (2022)
Ramos-Horta decided to run for president again in 2022. He said the current president had broken the constitution. He promised that if he won, he would dissolve parliament and call for new elections. His campaign was supported by Xanana Gusmão.
Ramos-Horta promised to reduce poverty and improve healthcare for mothers and children. He also wanted to create more jobs. He aimed to improve communication between political parties for more stability. He also planned to work on supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The election went to a second round between Ramos-Horta and the current president, Francisco Guterres. Ramos-Horta won by a large margin, getting 62.10% of the votes. He told his supporters that he had received a clear message from the people. He also said he had been invited to discuss the transfer of power.
The United States Department of State congratulated Ramos-Horta. They looked forward to working with East Timor. They praised the election as free and fair. Portugal's President also congratulated him.
Ramos-Horta was sworn in as president of East Timor on May 20, 2022. This day was also East Timor's 20th independence anniversary.
Other Activities
After a coup in Guinea-Bissau in 2012, Ramos-Horta offered to help solve the conflict. He also worked as a special envoy for the UN in that country.
He wrote a book called Words of Hope in Troubled Times.
Since 2000, Ramos-Horta has been the Chairman of the Advisory Board for TheCommunity.com. This website focuses on peace and human rights. He has worked with other Nobel Peace Prize winners on peace projects.
In May 2009, Ramos-Horta said he would ask the International Criminal Court to investigate Myanmar's government. This was if they continued to hold Aung San Suu Kyi.
He attended the funeral of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino in 2009. He was the only foreign head of state there. In 2010, he also attended the inauguration of President Benigno Aquino III.
Ramos-Horta is a member of the Global Leadership Foundation. This group helps support democratic leadership. It works to prevent conflicts and promote good government.
In August 2017, ten Nobel Peace Prize winners, including Ramos-Horta, asked Saudi Arabia to stop executions. These executions were for young people who took part in protests.
He also hosts a television show called Horta Show on Radio-Televisão Timor Leste.
In 2021, Ramos-Horta joined the judging committee for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. This award promotes human kindness around the world.
Awards and Honors
Nobel Prize
The Roman Catholic bishop Ximenes Belo and Ramos-Horta were both given the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize. They received it for their efforts to bring peace to East Timor.
Other Awards
- Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (2002)
Honors
Australia
Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (2013). This was for his great service in strengthening relations between Australia and Timor-Leste. It was also for his leadership in bringing independence to Timor-Leste.
Cape Verde
1st Class of the Amílcar Cabral Order (2011)
Portugal
Grand Collar of the Order of Camões (2022)
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (2007)
Grand-Cross of the Order of Liberty, Portugal (1998)
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- He received an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Cambodia (2010).
Film Depictions
The 2000 documentary The Diplomat follows Ramos-Horta from 1998 until he returned to East Timor in 2000. Oscar Isaac plays Ramos-Horta in the 2009 film Balibo. This film tells the story of the Balibo Five and events before the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.
See also
In Spanish: José Ramos-Horta para niños
- 2007 East Timorese presidential election
- 2012 East Timorese presidential election
- List of peace activists
Images for kids
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Ramos-Horta with United States President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
