INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO ALLEGED PKF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

UNTAET has received reports of alleged sexual misconduct by United Nations soldiers in the district enclave of Oecussi. As soon as these allegations were brought to the SRSG’s attention in mid-June, an UNTAET Board of Inquiry (BOI) was established.

UNTAET investigations, including the BOI, have found strong grounds that an alleged act of sexual misconduct by UN soldiers occurred in Oecussi on the night of 27/28 May.

This will be followed by an investigation by the East Timor Prosecutor-General’s office and with full cooperation and participation of the authorities of the troop contributing country in question.

The investigation also brought to light other alleged acts of sexual misconduct by UN soldiers in Oecussi and these will also be thoroughly investigated.

The BOI was set up in accordance with UN policy, and included a representative from the battalion of the troop contributing country and two members of the UNTAET peacekeeping force.

SEVEN HUNDRED VEHICLES REGISTERED

Some 700 motor vehicles have been registered in the seven weeks since the vehicle registration exercise started and more than US$20,000 dollars in revenue has been collected. Civilian Police in Dili have launched a campaign to inform drivers of the need to comply with the registration requirement, and specific rules governing the registration of public transportation vehicles will soon be presented to the Cabinet. The vehicle registration exercise is scheduled to begin in Oecussi district next week, which will be the first effort of its kind outside of the capital.

“The registration of vehicles complements the existing laws relating to the administration of justice and enhances the rule of law and peace through support to the police in enforcement of vehicle controls and traffic laws,” SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello said at the ceremony marking the beginning of the Motor Vehicle Registration process in East Timor.

“This is an important step in curbing lawlessness and showing the authority of the state to those who got used to thinking that this is a free for all,” he added.