Timor-Leste officials armed civilians: UN report
Liquica, Timor-Leste: Followers of rebel Commander Railos prepare to hand over their weapons to the Prime Minister at the time, José Ramos-Horta, July 2006. (ADF)
On 17 October the report of the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry on Timor-Leste was released. The Commission found that ministers for Defence and the Interior and the Chief of Timor-Leste Defence Forces at the time had acted illegally in transferring military small arms to civilians during the violence that erupted in Timor in April 2006.
The arming of civilians and former soldiers who had been dismissed from the Army resulted in a wave of violence which centred on Dili but spread throughout the country. During the month of violence that ensued, 32 people were shot and killed and around 60 suffered serious gunshot injuries.
The report recommended that the ministers and Defence Chief be prosecuted for illegally arming civilians. The Commission also recommended further investigation into former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri’s role in the weapons transfers to determine whether he bears any criminal responsibility.
Over the course of the inquiry, a multinational military force was deployed to the country at the request of the Timorese Government. This force has worked closely with the Timor-Leste Defence Forces to stabilise the situation and conduct extensive weapons amnesties.
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