Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
UNHCHR. 2006 ‘Weapons Offences.’ Report of the United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste; Section 131, pp. 50-1. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2 October
Relevant contents
Weapons Offences
131.
The Commission notes its concern at the scale of illegal and irregular weapons distribution in Timor-Leste.
The Commission also notes its concern with the inertia displayed by the Government in confronting the lack of control of weapons within its security forces in the face of credible intelligence of illegality and/or irregularity in the holding, movement and use of weapons.
There are varying degrees of criminal culpability with respect to weapons offences, as reflected in
the varying maximum penalties established under law. Simple possession, although a crime, is a
much less serious offence than use of a weapon or the unlawful transfer of a weapon or weapons.
This is particularly so with respect to those persons who signed for and later returned F-FDTL
weapons. Accordingly, the Commission recommends that prosecutorial discretion be exercised
with respect to the weapons offences committed during the events of April and May and that only
those persons reasonably suspected of the more serious weapons offences be prosecuted.