The UN Stabilization Mission in Timor-Leste

Mission Mandate

In August 2006, UN Security Council Resolution 1704 established the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). In February 2012, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2037 to extend its mandate until December 31, 2012. The Mission's mandate includes:

• Supporting democratic governance;
• Facilitating political dialogue;
• Fostering socioeconomic cohesion;
• Strengthening the security sector;
• Promoting an effective judiciary system;
• Coordinating donor cooperation; and
• Providing operational support to the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL). 

Background

Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999 and became a fully independent state in 2002. Read more || Hide text

Three previous UN missions in Timor-Leste (UNAMET, UNTAET, and UNMISET) successfully completed their mandates to support the government during its transition to an independent nation. Following these peacekeeping missions, a UN political mission, UNOTIL, was implemented from 2005 to 2006 that supported infrastructure development.  Following the political mission, UNMIT was implemented in August 2006 by UN Security Council Resolution 1704. After a coup attempt in February 2008, the Timor-Leste government requested a UN police force to stabilize the country. In its most recent resolution on UNMIT, the Council extended its mandate until December 31, 2012 until after the national elections. On March 17, 2012, Timor-Leste conducted peaceful presidential elections. The election consisted of 12 candidates, most prominently incumbent President Jose Ramos-Horta, who received 18 per cent of the vote, the leftist candidate, Fransisco “Li Olo” Guterres, who received 28 per cent, and former military chief, Tau Matan Ruak, with 25 percent. With no candidate garnering more than 50 percent of the vote, runoff elections will be held April 21, 2012, between Guterres and Ruak.

 

How This Affects American Interests 

• Supports the electoral process. UNMIT assisted the Timor-Leste government in the lead up to the March 17, 2012, presidential elections.  The Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) with the support of UN police helped maintain public order and provided logistical support to ensure peaceful elections.  Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon praised the people of Timor-Leste for participating peacefully in the elections, reiterating, “The successful holding of the 2012 elections [will] further enable the transition to a new partnership between Timor-Leste and the United Nations.”  Prior to the elections, the mission deployed 62 UN volunteers to all 13 districts to support the national electoral body’s efforts in voter and civic education, and women’s political participation. The elections consisted of 12 candidates, two of which are women.  Prior to the elections UNMIT organized workshops for women’s NGOs and political leaders to discuss strategies relating to mobilizing and preparing women to participate in the elections.  In previous elections UNMIT played a crucial role in guaranteeing transparent and peaceful elections.  In the 2007 presidential election and during the local elections in 2009, the UN Electoral Support Team together with the UNMIT worked on logistics, voter registration, voter education and training, to ensure the smooth flow of the process.  
  
  

• Promoting human rights. Under the supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General, UNMIT’s Serious Crimes Investigation Team continues its investigation into crimes against humanity and other serious crimes dating back to 1999 when violence initially erupted. As of January 2012, 250 of the 396 cases (63%) have concluded.  Thirty-one cases are under investigation including crimes relating to gender based violence.

• Strengthen Timor-Leste’s police. During Timor-Leste’s independence, the UN mission helped the nascent nation create its own security force. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice have worked with the UN to further strengthen the police force, providing specialized law enforcement training to Timorese police and helping build a working relationship between police and the judiciary. UN police have also provided training, screening, and certification of the Timor-Leste police force, which has reduced misconduct and abuse in the country. As of January 2012 UNMIT conducted 182 training workshops, training 1,524 Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) officers (273 of them women) in the areas of legislation, discipline, administration, human rights, gender based violence, and arrest procedures.  In the run up to the most recent presidential elections, UNMIT devised an operational plan and provided technical advice to PNLT to ensure peaceful elections.  The PNLT continue to be ranked as a leader in the Asia Pacific region with 18% of the police force represented by women. Since March 26, 2011, UNMIT has handed over all police operations to the National Police of Timor (PNTL) however, UNMIT will maintain its police presence in Timor-Leste and continue to advise and support the PNTL until the end of 2012.

Ongoing Challenges

• Weak justice system. Despite the significant improvements and capacity building in government institutions, the justice system in Timor-Leste remains weak. Due to the lack of qualified officials, administrative tools, and physical infrastructure, few cases are properly addressed by the court, while the number of pending cases remains high. By January 2011, the entire nation of Timor-Leste had only 17 judges, 18 prosecutors, and 16 public defenders.  Critical efforts to strengthen the police force to better support government institutions and increase its logistical capacity are needed particularly in the fields of criminal investigations, community policing and internal accountability.
  
  

• Econoimc growth. Despite the remarkable economic growth achieved in recent years, further efforts are required to promote equitable and sustainable growth in Timor- Leste. It is crucial that adequate resources be allocated to vital areas including agricultural development, health services, education, and employment generation, particularly for youth and women. The United Nations country team will continue its engagement in Timor-Leste after the departure of UNMIT, but it will be critical to secure funding in these areas to achieve the aforementioned goals.

*Updated March 2011