Judge Phillip Rapoza becomes East Timor’s first honorary consul to U.S.

NEW BEDFORD - East Timor has appointed retired chief justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court Phillip Rapoza as its first honorary consul to the United States.

The appointment was announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23 by the Embassy of East Timor in Washington D.C.

Judge Rapoza, a New Bedford resident, will be covering the entire six-state New England region. His primary responsibility will be to monitor the rights of Timorese citizens who are in the consular area, assisting them in their interactions with local authorities as well as with the Timorese Embassy in Washington, D.C. He will also be promoting social, cultural, educational and economic relations between Timor-Leste and the United States.

“In nominating Rapoza for the Honorary Consul position, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão cited his passion, professionalism, and qualifications to represent Timor-Leste in New England,” noted embassy officials in a press release. “The Prime Minister noted that Rapoza’s integrity and commitment to the interests of the Timorese people are held in high regard.”

What is Judge Phillip Rapoza's connection with East Timor?

Rapoza, who served almost 25 years as a Massachusetts state court judge before retiring in 2015, lived in Timor-Leste for two years. During that time, he served as an international judge and coordinator of the United Nations-backed Special Panels for Serious Crimes.

The Special Panels dealt with crimes against humanity and other serious offenses committed in East Timor by forces opposing the country’s independence.

Judge Rapoza also played a leading role in the formation of East Timor’s first judges’ association. Since then, he has been a key supporter of Timor-Leste’s justice system, frequently visiting the country to promote the rule of law.

“I think of Timor-Leste as my second home, and I take this new role very seriously,” said Judge Rapoza. “I will do my best to promote social, cultural, educational, and economic relations between Timor-Leste and the United States and will collaborate with various institutions, schools, businesses, organizations and individuals to advance those efforts.”

Rapoza’s appointment has been confirmed by the Department of State, which accepted his diplomatic credentials.

As honorary consul, he is not expected to perform consular acts such as processing passport applications or handle matters pertaining to visas or residence permits but can refer individuals in need of such assistance to the appropriate office at the Timorese Embassy. Similarly, he will not serve as an attorney in judicial proceedings or as a legal adviser on behalf of Timorese citizens but can help such persons obtain legal assistance when needed.

The grandson of Portuguese immigrants from the Azores, Judge Rapoza speaks Portuguese fluently, one of East Timor’s two official languages.

East Timor became an independent nation in 2002, following more than 400 years of Portuguese colonization, 24 years of Indonesian occupation, and three years of United Nations transitional administration.

“Timor-Leste has become a model of stability, democratic governance, and respect for the rule of law,” Judge Rapoza said. “It serves as an inspiration to emerging democracies worldwide.”

Judge Rapoza indicated that there is a significant amount of goodwill toward Timor-Leste in the large Portuguese-American population of New England. Keeping that community informed about the accomplishments and aspirations of the Timorese people will be an important aspect of his honorary consul’s work.

Why is Judge Rapoza seen as a leader in the field of international criminal justice?

In addition to his judicial work in Timor-Leste, Rapoza served as a judge on the Supreme Court Chamber of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia.

The tribunal was established to bring to justice senior leaders and those most responsible for the deaths of as many as two million Cambodians during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. In 2022, Rapoza served on the Supreme Court panel that upheld the genocide conviction of Khieu Samphan, the former Khmer Rouge head of state.

He also lived for several months in Haiti, where he headed a UN Criminal Justice Advisory Team that investigated and reported on abuses in the pre-trial detention of offenders.

Judge Rapoza has received several honorary law degrees and numerous awards in recognition of both his domestic and international judicial service.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Judge Phillip Rapoza becomes East Timor’s first honorary consul to U.S.