Fears East Timor court ruling could promote culture of impunity

Updated February 26, 2009 21:37:38

East Timor's president Jose Ramos-Horta was in New York recently asking the United Nations Security Council to extend its mission in the nation.

The UN makes that decision today
A 1,500-strong international police force was given authority over East Timor's internal security force in 2006, after tensions between the police and military led to deadly violence.

However, a recent decision by East Timor's highest court has found the the agreement between the East Timorese government and the United Nations Police non-binding and unconstitutional.

East Timor's opposition says the court's decision is alarming, and could lead to a culture of impunity within the fledgling police force.

Presenter: Stephanie March
Speakers: Bu Wilson, East Timor researcher, Australian National University; Agio Pereira, spokesman, East Timor government; Jose Teixeira, spokesman, East Timor opposition