Posted by TimorExpose
Dili - Today the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Timor-Leste (SRSG) Ameerah Haq and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão presided over the ceremony marking the resumption of primary responsibilities for the conduct of police operations by Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) in the District of Liquica, 35 km west of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.
SRSG Haq noted that it was significant and commendable that Liquica would have Timor-Leste’s first female district commander, Natercia Eufracia Martins.
“An important milestone that deserves special mention today is the appointment of Liquica District Commander Martins who, as the first female district commander in Timor-Leste, now commands a district force of 100, including 24 females. Your remarkable and well-deserved achievement is testament to the advances in gender equality that are being made, not only within the PNTL, but also in many spheres of government and society as a whole in Timor-Leste,” said SRSG Haq.
“Maintaining long-term stability in the country will require a dedicated and professional police force that is committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the human rights of all citizens,” she added.
The SRSG also pledged that the United Nations will increase its focus on the mentoring and support of PNTL officers, as requested by the national authorities and endorsed by the Security Council of the United Nations.
The Government of Timor-Leste and UNMIT are jointly implementing the resumption process in a gradual manner – district by district, unit by unit. The PNTL is assessed in each district by a joint team comprising Government and UNMIT representatives, including UN Police and the PNTL. The team applies mutually agreed criteria to assess the readiness of the PNTL to resume primary policing responsibilities.
The resumption process started in Lautem district in May 2009. It continued in the districts of Oecusse in June, and Manatuto in July, and with the transfer of responsibility for the administration and management of the Police Training Centre in September, and the Maritime Police Unit and the Police Intelligence Service in December. Also in December 2009 Viqueque became the fourth district in which the PNTL resumed responsibilities. In April 2010 the PNTL resumed responsibilities for Ainaro and Baucau Districts.
UN Police will maintain their presence in the districts where the PNTL have resumed responsibilities, in order to monitor, mentor, advice and support the PNTL in a partnership approach, including in the area of human rights protection. (TE)
