United Nations Police in East Timor Weekly Security Brief 21-28 March 2008

UNPol Weekly Security Briefing 21-28 March 2008 Joint NGO Safety Office Security Summary - This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

The security situation across the country remains stable but fragile.

The State of Siege has been extended to the Districts of Aileu, Ainaro, Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera, Liquica and Manufahi for a period of 30 days until April 22. The curfew times are from 10pm to 6am.

A State of Emergency has been implemented in the districts of Baucau, Dili, Lautem, Viqueque and Manatuto, also until April 22. The curfew times are between 11pm to 5am.

A total of 5 people have surrendered this week. On Saturday (22/03), four people surrendered to the Joint Command and were produced before the police in Hatubulico, Ainaro District. All four were former PNTL or F-FDTL officers. There were existing arrest warrants against three of them in connection with 11 February and they were produced before the Dili District Court early this week. Two have been sent to pre-trial custody at Becora Prison. The third has been released.

Another suspect voluntarily surrendered himself in Monteiro, Maubesi on Tuesday (25/03). As there was no warrant of arrest issued against this individual, he was not charged.

During the past week, a total of 20 security incidents were reported for the whole country; 13 in Dili and 7 in the districts. The majority of security incidents continue to be low-level assaults and minor public disturbances. There was one incident of group fighting and no homicides. A total of 127 arrests were made, primarily for curfew violations. 

The United Nations Police and the PNTL are continuing active patrols over all areas of the city.

There have been no security incidents at the IDP camps. Over 97 families from the Has Laran Canossian IDP camp returned this week to their homes in Delta and Manleuana, Dili. To date, the total number of families who have left the IDP camps is 321.

There have been no serious security incidents at Aitarak-laran.

The eighth anniversary of the establishment of the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) was celebrated on Thursday 27 March at the Dili Police HQ. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, President of the Parliament Vicente Guterres, Acting President Fernando de Araujo ‘Lasama,’ and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Atul Khare, attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony, certificates were distributed to PNTL officers and a parade was held to honour them. Mr Khare also used this occasion to announce the completion of a PNTL textbook, and to officially present the textbook to the PNTL.

The textbook is a comprehensive manual on all laws relevant to the PNTL and gives practical recommendations on how to apply the laws.

The police advise to avoid travelling during the night to the most affected areas. Please report any suspicious activities.  You can call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.