03 November 2012

Atabae murders raise concern about security after UN leaves Timor-Leste

ETLJB 03 November 2012 - An editorial in Diario Nacional on 31 October 2012 opines that cases such as the recent murders in Atabae in Bobonaro District  as well as the Los Palos school food poisoning case in Lautem District have raised concerns in the community about the pending termination of the UN mandate in East Timor and whether issues such as those would destabilise security in Timor-Leste when the international presence winds down.

The fears about recent crimes, in a community that is still traumatised by past experiences of conflict and worried that new conflict will emerge when the United Nations leaves, should be addressed by the State leaders to reassure the people. The leaders should also encourage the security institutions - the police and the military - to demonstrate their capacity in defence and security and that they are capable of ensuring stability for the people.

There are only 60 days left before the UN mission ends and Timor-Leste will have to stand on its own feet.

Meanwhile, Suara Timor Lorosae reported on 31 October 2012 (cover page) that the Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira,  said that the crime levels in country cannot be said to be related to the termination of the UNMIT mandate.

“The evaluation team from UNPOL and the PNTL revealed that the crime statistics for Timor Leste show lower crime levels than in other countries,” said Pereira.

While the government has decided to end the UNMIT mission, we have also analysed the formulation of a recommendation to the United Nations to establish a special advisor role for the UN in the future, the Minister is reported to have said.


Related stories
Police arrest 3 suspects in Atabae murders case
Crime in Dili on the rise or not?
Timor-Leste Legal News 10 October 2012

No comments: