WELLINGTON, Sept. 28 (AP)--New Zealand police helping to keep the peace in East Timor as part of a U.N. security force will stay there for another 12 months, New Zealand's police minister said Thursday.
Police Minister Annette King said the move "reinforces the New Zealand government's commitment to peace and stability" in East Timor.
The current 25-strong New Zealand police contingent in the country will be replaced with fresh members when its three-month service term ends on Oct. 10, she said.
The U.N. mission was established last month and has taken over responsibility for policing from the Australian-led Joint Task Force.
New Zealand deployed more than 200 troops and 25 armed police in May as part of an Australian-led international force of more than 3,000 troops to restore peace in Asia's newest nation after nearly 100 people were killed in violent clashes and arson attacks.
The violence erupted after the government sacked 600 soldiers, sparking broader unrest that saw rival gangs battling on the streets of the capital, Dili.
Some 150,000 of the tiny nation's 800,000 people were driven from their homes in fighting that followed the dismissals.
A major U.N.-led international presence will be needed for the foreseeable future to keep the peace and organize and supervise the country's legislative and presidential elections next year, Foreign Minister Jose Luis Guterres told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.
"New Zealand police have shown their ability to make a positive and valued contribution, alongside their international counterparts, to the lives of the Timorese people," King said.
Some 160 New Zealand troops remain in the country to assist police.
New Zealand police have previously served in U.N. missions in East Timor, prior to the territory gaining independence from Indonesia, and in Namibia and Cyprus.
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sexta-feira, setembro 29, 2006
NZ Police To Keep Peace In East Timor For Another Year
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WHAT ARE THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS DOING TO KEEP A WATCH ON THE AUSTRALIAN POLICE IN TIMOR. THEY HAVE A REPUTATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOUR:
QUEENSLAND'S deputy state coroner has recommended changes to police procedures in the wake of an inquest into the death of an indigenous man in police custody.
Christine Clements today criticised the police over the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee, 36, and their investigation into his death.
His body was found in a Palm Island police cell on November 19, 2004.
Mulrunji was arrested for being drunk and disorderly by the policeman who is the focus of the coronial investigation, Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mulrunji suffered four broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and a liver almost split in half.
Ms Clements today made 40 recommendations including better training guidelines and changes to the police operational procedures manual.
"It's a terrible tragedy that such a minor incident can lead to a man's death in custody," she told a packed court room in Townsville.
One of the major recommendations is the establishment of a diversionary centre on Palm Island, rather than sending drunk locals to prison cells.
She also called for better training for police.
But Ms Clements did not publicly recommend any action against individual police officers involved in the arrest of Mulrunji.
However the coroner can still make recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Clements rejected Sgt Hurley's evidence that he did not strike Mulrunji.
She said Mulrunji should not have been arrested in the first place.
Ms Clements also criticised the investigation into Mulrunji's death, saying there was suggestion of collusion between police.
She said the initial investigation into his death failed to meet appropriate guidelines, with the report not mentioning assault allegations against police.
Ms Clements said the omission was a serious error of judgment.
The release of the initial coroner's report, a few days after Mulrunji's death, sparked a riot on the island near Townsville, resulting in the police station being burnt to the ground.
Tradução:
A polícia de NZ mantém a paz em Timor-Leste mais um outro ano
WELLINGTON, Set. 28 (AP)—A polícia da Nova Zelândia que está a ajudar a manter a paz em Timor-Leste como parte da força de segurança da ONU ficará lá mais outros 12 meses, disse na Quinta-feira a ministra da polícia da Nova Zelândia.
A ministra da polícia Annette King disse que a acção "reforça o compromisso da Nova Zelândia com a paz e a estabilidade " em Timor-Leste.
O corrente contingente de 25 elementos da polícia da Nova Zelândia no país sera substituído com novos membros quando o seu mandato de três meses de serviço terminar em 10 de Outubro, disse.
A missão da ONU foi criada no mês passado e assumiu a responsabilidade do policiamento da Força Conjunta liderada pelos Australianos.
A Nova Zelândia destacou mais de 200 tropas e 25 polícias armadas em Maio como parte da força internacional de mais de 3,000 tropas liderada pelos Australianos para restaurar a paz na mais jovem nação da Ásia depois de perto de 100 pessoas terem sido mortas em confrontos violentos e ataques incendiários.
A violência irrompeu depois do governo ter despedido 600 soldados, desencadeando mais alargado desassossego que incluiu gangs rivais em batalhas nas ruas da capital, Dili.
Algumas 150,000 da pequena nação de 800,000 pessoas foram tiradas das suas casas nas lutes que se seguiram aos despedimentos.
Será necessária uma maior presença internacional liderada pela ONU no futuro previsto para manter a paz e organizar e supervisionar as eleições legislativas e presidenciais do próximo ano, disse o Ministro dos Estrangeiros José Luís Guterres na Assembleia Geral da ONU na Quarta-feira.
"A polícia da Nova Zelândia mostrou a sua capacidade para dar uma contribuição positive e valiosa, ao lado dos seus colegas internacionais, para as vidas dos Timorenses," disse King.
Mantém-se 160 tropas da Nova Zelândia no país para assistir a polícia.
A polícia da Nova Zelândia serviu previamente na missão da ONU em Timor-Leste, antes do território ter ganho a independência da Indonésia, e na Namíbia e em Chipre.
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