East Timor: Transitional Cabinet endorses establishment of police service

The East Timor Transitional Cabinet today endorsed a draft regulation formally establishing the territory's first Police Service and Police Academy, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) said in a statement issued in Dili.

The regulation includes provisions on the general duties and powers of police officers, and the structure of the Police Service, reflecting the organization and practices put in place since UNTAET was established. It also provides the framework for the operation and management of East Timorese penal institutions, the treatment of prisoners, and the rules of conduct for prison officials. The decision to formally establish the Penal Service was made by the Cabinet on 14 February. The regulation will now go to the National Council for consideration.

In other action, the Cabinet approved an interim National Disaster Management Plan and a related project funded by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to support the creation of national disaster management capacity in East Timor. The objective of the Plan is to provide arrangements for a coordinated response to emergencies and disasters.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission held its second meeting with political parties today, during which it briefed party representatives on the procedures for registration and distributed relevant application forms.

"Political parties can now start gathering the information required to register with the Independent Electoral Commission, in order to be able to present candidates for the forthcoming Constituency Assembly election on 30 August," UNTAET said.