Saturday, June 8, 2013

Timor-Leste Legal News July 2008 (Part 5)

UNMIT Daily Media Review 08 July 2008  

Horta condemns police action – Diario Nacional  

The police have shot two students and arrested 21 at the university campus following student demonstrations against the Parliament’s plan to purchase cars for the MPs. The students who were shot have sustained wounds.

President José Ramos-Horta has condemned these actions by the PNTL and has stood up for the rights of students to campaign in their own campus. Members of the Social Science Faculty Senate Carolino Marques and João Nascimento said that the demonstration is an academic right.

PR Horta explained that as the campus is autonomous, no one has the right to violate it, but if there is violence, then the university authorities may ask for police intervention.
   
Police capture protesters. Osorio: “Dictatorship is starting to appear” – Diario Nacional

The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) have shot and wounded two students at the campus of Universidade Nasional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) on Monday (7/7). Twenty one university students were also arrested as they protested against the planned purchase of luxury cars by MPs.

Fretilin MP Osorio Florindo said that the PNTL’s action reminded him of November 14, 1997 when the Indonesian military took violent action against the East Timorese University. They destroyed property and wounded many of the students. Mr Florindo said that the attitude of PNTL on such occasions was leading to a dictatorship in Timor-Leste.

“There is no law that prevents people from holding demonstrations in their homes or campus ….Even during Indonesian times, no miliitary or police entered the campus without provocation. Today, even though the students have remained peaceful, they are shot at and threatened.” He has appealed to the students to not be frightened and to remain calm.

Lasama appeals for studnts to be calm – Diario Nacional and Suara Timor Lorosa’e  

NP President Fernando de Araujo Lasama has asked the students not to be emotional when holding demonstrations. Lasama said that the National Parliament will proceed with the car purchases as this has already been included in the budget set to be approved in the next few days. “Luxury cars are BMW and Mercedes [Benz].The police also use [Toyota] Prados and Pajeros in the country. Are these luxurious cars?” asked Mr Lasama on Monday (7/7) in the National Parliament. 

Ed: Petroleum fund, people’s money – Diario Nacional

Recently, members of civil society, political parties, and the opposition party have strongly questioned the use of the petroleum fund by the Government to run its programs. The criticisms are that the government has no program and is just using the money.

The Prime Minister has retorted that that those who are questioning the Government are stupid and frustrated- the fund is the people’s money and is being used for the people. His statement is right that the money should not only be saved in the US Bank but should be used to benefit people of the country.

However, everyone in this country has a right to know how the money is being executed and allocated; the people’s money should be used for the people but it should also be based on appropriate plans and programs.  We wait …    

CTF report to hand over in Bali – Timor Post

Pending confirmation from Indoneisa, the final report of the Timor-Leste/Indonesian Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) is set to be handed over on 15 July 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

“We agree on the data, 15 July but still waiting for Indonesia’s confirmation,” said The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Zacarias Albano da Costa. The Timor-Leste and Indonesia Commissaries will directly give the final report to the Presidents of Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Lateste legal news from East Timor is on the East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin

1 comment:

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