Videos: Space

Riders in the Tour de Timor cross the Timor-Leste--Indonesia border for the first time

Timor-Leste's momentum in creating a safe space is exemplified by the Tour de Timor. Once a year, Timorese and international cyclists race safely through the country's most remote locations, hosted and cheered on by villagers. The 2012 international Tour de Timor took racers for the first time across the Timor-Leste--Indonesia border. They cycled through the Indonesian territory of West Timor to the Timor-Leste exclave of Oecusse and back. This remarkable achievement is a sign of the growing cooperation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

General Commander of National Police of Timor-Leste says his team is ready to meet future challenges

Longuinhos Monteiro, General Commander of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), believes the police are the protectors of safety in a democratic state. On 27 March 2011 the PNTL resumed responsibility for the conduct, command and control of police operations. Monteiro discusses his confidence in the PNTL's ability to fulfil its role and meet future challenges, and the spirit of "Together, we can." that guides their work.

National Police of Timor-Leste is committed to serving the country's citizens

A central tenet of UNMIT's mandate was to help build the skills of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL). On 27 March 2011 the PNTL resumed responsibility for the conduct, command and control of police operations. UN Police Commissioner Luis Carrilho discusses how the PNTL transformed into a credible force.

Timor-Leste's security forces now protect the country's vital resources

Protecting the national security of a country with over 700 kilometres of often desolate and remote coastline is a large undertaking. Eric Brandenburg, UNMIT's Chief and Special Adviser, Security Sector Support Unit, discusses how the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the Timor-Leste Defence Force (FFDTL) are doing just that, be it countering transnational crime such as illegal fishing or protecting resources such as the country's vast oil and gas deposits. He describes how an overarching national security policy should drive and support other important policies.

National Police of Timor-Leste resumes primary policing responsibility from Timor-Leste

UNMIT and the UN Police worked closely with the government of Timor-Leste to rebuild the nation's police force after the breakdown of law and order in 2006. On 27 March 2011 the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) resumed responsibility for the conduct, command and control of police operations. The event was marked with a ceremony at the Government Palace in the capital of Dili. Officials from the UN and PNTL discuss the significance of the handover of responsibility from UNPOL to PNTL and explain the changing roles of the two forces.

Timor-Leste firefighters on the job

Today's firefighters don't just put out fires. They conduct rescue missions for plane crashes and vehicle accidents. They transport victims to hospitals and provide assistance to communities that need to evacuate their area. They also teach adults and children about fire prevention and how to escape from a fire should one occur. The Dili Fire Department's team is divided into four brigades, each with 15 members. After receiving training and support from the United Nations and Australian Firefighters International, Dili's firefighters are ready to provide emergency assistance 24 hours a day.

Community policing campaign in Timor-Leste 2010

The National Police of Timor-Leste embraced a model of community policing to allow them to engage directly with the people to build a peaceful and secure environment. This video was part of a wider campaign promoting the role of community policing in Timor-Leste.