| Subject: UNTAET Examines: Rights of
Minorities
UNITED NATIONS TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN EAST TIMOR Dili, 17 May 2000 UNTAET LOOKS INTO RIGHTS FOR MINORITIES UNTAET' Human Rights Unit has looked into some of the laws covering the residency rights of ethnic and religious minorities in East Timor. This was in response to formal requests from ethnic minorities living in East Timor for formal notification of their right to live in the country. Following the 30 April 2000 disturbances, there has been an increase in threats and intimidation. Two of the laws are UNTAET Regulation 2000/9 On the Establishment of a Border Regime in East Timor, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Articles 13 and 26. These measures cover the rights of those ethnic and religious minorities who acquired the right to legal residence prior to the independence of East Timor, and they also cover minorities who seek entry or have entered East Timor pursuant to UNTAET Regulation No. 9. It is clear that ethnic and religious minorities who have acquired their right to remain here under UNTAET's Regulation 9 cannot be expelled on the basis of their minority status. UNTAET will make a formal announcement on residency rights of ethnic minorities after consultation with the National Consultative Council. May Menu Note: For those who would like to fax "the powers that be" - CallCenter V3.5.8, is a Native 32-bit Voice Telephony software application integrated with fax and data communications... and it's free of charge! Download from http://www.v3inc.com/ |