B4U India: E.Timor respects rights, but faces big challenges - U.N.

E.Timor respects rights, but faces big challenges - U.N.
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reuters india on 08 November, 2007 09:28:00
 
JAKARTA (Reuters) - East Timor's citizens enjoy a range of freedoms, but a high
number of displaced people and a weak justice system remain key problems in the
impoverished nation, the United Nations said in a report released on Thursday.
The security situation has largely been brought under control since a wave of
violence that killed about 37 people and displaced tens of thousands last year,
the United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor (UNMIT) said in its new
human rights report.
East Timorese enjoy freedom of speech, freedom to criticise the government and
freedom of religion, said the report, which covers the period August 2006 to
August 2007.
"In spite of these significant developments, important human rights challenges
remain," the report said. "The high number of internally displaced persons who
still live in makeshift camps and the lack of progress towards durable
solutions are of concern."
Factional bloodshed broke out in the impoverished country of about 1 million
people last year, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. The violence
was triggered by the previous government's decision to sack 600 soldiers.
More than 2,000 international police and troops are currently in East Timor to
restore order.
Sporadic violence also broke out in August, when President Jose Ramos-Horta
appointed a coalition led by independence hero Xanana Gusmao to govern after no
party won a majority in a parliamentary election on June 30.
The UNMIT report said people lacked effective access to justice as the judicial
system remained weak, particularly in the districts. A considerable backlog of
pending cases hampers the work of the courts, delaying legal remedy for
victims.
"Timor-Leste still faces considerable challenges. However, the Timorese
leadership's stated commitment to human rights will help create an environment
from which all Timorese can benefit," the report quoted the mission's chief,
Atul Khare, as saying.