Photo: PNTL
28 February 2018
Problems with unregulated weapons in Timor-Leste have caused concern ever since the 2006 Crisis. The weapons in question were either lost during the Crisis or smuggled illegally into the country. There have already been intense efforts to recover and investigate the weapons lost during the Crisis. But some weapons from the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) have never been recovered.
At the same time, the heads of the security institutions have stated that illegal weapons from Atambua in West Timor have entered Timor-Leste across the border and spread across the country.
In addition to lost and illegal weapons, weapons from security institutions—the PNTL and the FALINTIL-Defence Force of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL)—have continued to cause concern. Stories have spread on social media about weapons from these two institutions falling into the hands of civilians and children, who may consider them toys. This indicates that these two institutions currently lack adequate management of their respective arsenals. FM is deeply concerned about the possibility of civilians accessing the security forces’ weapons.
Unregulated weapons during the last few years in Timor-Leste have threatened, wounded, and killed people. They have also been used for killing protected animals. Some of these weapons have been identified as coming from members of the PNTL and F-FDTL, while many more remain unidentified. Where did they come from?
To learn more about this issue please see below:
(CLICK HERE FOR PRESS RELEASE)
Nélson Belo
Executive Director
Email: direktor.mahein@gmail.com
Phone: (+670) 78316075 or 77561184
Website: www.fundasaunmahein.org
