VZCZCXRO3827
PP RUEHDT
DE RUEHDT #0153/01 1701017
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191017Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4420
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1115
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0130
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 3950

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DILI 000153 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EAP/MTS AND IO/PSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPKO PHUM TT
SUBJECT: UN MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE: ZERO TOLERANCE ON SEXUAL ABUSE 
AND EXPLOITATION 
 
REF: STATE 57469 
 
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Summary 
 
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¶1. (SBU) The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste 
(UNMIT) continues to uphold its commitment to a zero tolerance 
policy on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).  In 2008, UNMIT 
investigated one SEA allegation.  The allegation was dismissed 
in 2008 due to a lack of evidence.  There were no allegations of 
SEA involving UNMIT personnel in 2009.  UNMIT continues to 
include SEA training as part of its mandatory orientation course 
for new personnel.  A Timorese women's rights NGO and the 
government's Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice did not find 
any SEA cases involving UNMIT personnel in 2009 and described 
their relationship with UNMIT as positive.  A woman from Oecusse 
continues to publicly petition the UN to intervene on her behalf 
to secure child support from a United Nations Police Officer who 
had a marital relationship with her from 2001-2003.  The 
Vulnerable Persons Unit (VPU), tasked with investigating sex 
crimes, continues to operate as part of the police's 
investigative division and found no cases of SEA involving UNMIT 
personnel in 2009.  Prostitution is legal in Timor-Leste.  While 
anecdotal evidence of foreigners patronizing prostitutes is 
credible, charges that UNMIT personnel make up a significant 
portion of the clientele are unsubstantiated.  UNMIT is taking 
an active role in combating trafficking in persons and sexual 
exploitation.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
No substantiated allegations of sexual exploitation or abuse 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) There have been no substantiated cases of SEA by UNMIT 
personnel in 2009, according to UNMIT officials, the National 
Police of Timor-Leste's (PNTL) VPU, the government's Ombudsman 
for Human Rights and Justice, and a leading Timorese women's 
rights NGO, the Communication Forum for Timorese Women 
(Fokupers).  UNMIT conducted one investigation of an SEA 
allegation in 2008.  The case was promptly dismissed due to lack 
of relevant evidence. 
 
 
 
¶3. (U) There remains some concern that UNMIT officials posted in 
rural areas may be more susceptible to SEA violations due to a 
blend of cultural customs (families offering a daughter to 
important visitors) and weaker institutional oversight than in 
Dili.  There have been no allegations or cases of SEA by UNMIT 
personnel posted in rural areas in 2009. 
 
 
 
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UNMIT policy: zero tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------- 
 
 
 
¶4. (U) UNMIT has an officially declared zero tolerance policy on 
SEA, based on the UN Secretary General's guidance to implement 
UN General Assembly resolution 57/2006.  The Special 
Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to Timor-Leste, 
Atul Khare, has demonstrated a firm commitment to uphold this 
policy, frequently highlighting the importance of SEA prevention 
in public statements and monthly town hall meetings with UNMIT 
personnel. 
 
 
 
¶5. (U) UNMIT focuses its SEA policy on prevention, according to 
UNMIT's Adviser for Conduct and Discipline.  All UNMIT employees 
- police forces and civilians - receive an orientation packet 
that provides information on UNMIT's zero tolerance policy on 
SEA, including the code of conduct, how to report SEA, and a 
list of off-limits bars.  One orientation packet explicitly 
 
DILI 00000153  002 OF 002 
 
 
states that sex with anyone under 18 is prohibited.  To avoid 
public perception problems regarding SEA, UNMIT officials are 
not allowed to even park their vehicles near off-limits bars. 
UNMIT employees also attend an orientation program that includes 
a detailed presentation on UNMIT's SEA policy.  The Office of 
Conduct and Discipline also performed random inspections of 
known prostitution nightclubs to ascertain whether UN personnel 
are entering. 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------------- 
 
Women's Rights NGO, Government's Ombudsman, and PNTL Report No 
SEA Cases in 2009 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------------- 
 
 
 
¶6. (U) Fokupers received no information on SEA cases in 2008 and 
2009 related to UNMIT personnel.  According to Fokupers, there 
remains concern regarding past cases of UNMIT - specifically 
United Nations Police Officers (UNPOL) - officials impregnating 
Timorese women, leaving the country, and not taking 
responsibility for children after they depart.  No cases have 
been reported in 2009 to date.  Fokupers described the overall 
UNMIT presence, including on SEA prevention, as positive. 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Fokupers highlighted the case of Ligia Maria Lily Nheu. 
 Ms. Nheu is a Timorese-Chinese native of Oecusse who has 
submitted a grievance to the UN regarding the paternity of 
former UN Police Officer Goran Susnja.  Mr. Susnja was assigned 
to Oecusse in 2001.  He married Ms. Nheu in 2002 and moved with 
her to Bosnia.  Ms. Nheu, while pregnant, left Bosnia for 
Timor-Leste in 2003 after their relationship ended.  She gave 
birth to a son in 2003.  Ms. Nheu has received USD 340.00 in 
child support payments from Mr. Susnja since the birth of their 
son.  In 2008, Mr. Susnja offered Ms. Nheu USD 400.00 in child 
support payments per year, but Ms. Nheu declined the offer 
claiming it was insufficient.  She wants the UN to offer her 
assistance in locating and forcing Mr. Susnja to accept parental 
responsibility and pay regular child support payments for her 
son's health, welfare, and education.  Ms. Nheu has utilized 
public media to bring attention to her case.  According to 
Special Representative of the Secretary General Atul Khare, 
Susnje has left UN service.  The UN has urged, in a written, 
formal appeal from UN Headquarters, the Bosnian government to 
take action on the matter. 
 
 
 
¶8. (U) The Timor-Leste Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice 
reported there were no SEA allegations reported to date in 2009, 
and described the relationship with both UNMIT and women's 
rights NGOs as collaborative and positive.  He also underscored 
UNMIT's commitment to train and educate their personnel on SEA 
prevention. 
 
 
 
¶9. (U) The National Police in Dili District continue to operate 
the Vulnerable Persons Unit (VPU).  Operating as a sub-unit of 
the Criminal Investigation Division, the VPU will provide 
protection and support to victims of sex crimes.  The VPU works 
in collaboration with UNPOL.  No crimes involving UN personnel 
were reported in 2009. 
 
 
 
¶10. (U) During the preparation of this report, post interviewed 
several officials of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste 
(UNMIT), leaders of women's and human rights NGOs, officials 
from the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice 
(Provedor), and an official from the Vulnerable Persons Unit of 
the PNTL. 
KLEMM