U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Timor-Leste,
as delivered by Jason Mack
Geneva, Switzerland
26th Session, November 3, 2016
The United States welcomes the Timor-Leste delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We are encouraged by the steps taken to prosecute those in the security forces who used excessive force or inappropriately treated detainees. We note however that impunity continues to be a problem.
We remain concerned about the prevalence of gender-based, domestic, and sexual violence and the overall lack of willingness to investigate or prosecute alleged rape and sexual abuse cases. We are also concerned by recent assertions by members of the media about threats to freedom of the press.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that Timor-Leste:
- Strengthen efforts to bring security sector members to justice in cases of excessive use of force or inappropriate treatment of detainees.
- Work with civil society and local authorities to address domestic and sexual violence and provide the national police’s Vulnerable Persons Unit with sufficient resources to maintain an adequate presence around the country;
- Uphold its international human rights obligation and constitutionally provided rights of freedom of expression, including freedom of the press to all persons in Timor-Leste.
(end statement)