UN Security Council Resolution 1272

UN Security Council Resolution 1272
Date:	1999
Meeting:	1869
Identifier:	S / RES / 1272 (1999) ( document )
Poll:	Pro: 15  Ent. : 0  Cons: 0
Object:	East Timor
Result:	accepted
Composition of the Security Council 1999:
Permanent members:
CHN FRA GBR RUS USA
Non-permanent members:
ARG BHR BRA CAN GAB
GMB MYS NAM NLD SVN

Transfer of control from INTERFET to UNTAET

The Security Council resolution 1272 of the UN Security Council is a resolution on the situation in East Timor that the United Nations Security Council has adopted unanimously at its 4057th meeting on October 25 1999th With the resolution, the Security Council decided to establish an interim administration for East Timor by the United Nations.

background

See also : History of East Timor

In 1975, Indonesia occupied East Timor nine days after its declaration of independence and annexed it as a province in 1976. This was not recognized internationally. A guerrilla war broke out in the country between the Indonesian army and the East Timorese FALINTIL . After the fall of the Indonesian dictatorship under President Suharto , an independence referendum was organized in East Timor in 1999 under the auspices of the United Nations , in which the population spoke out in favor of independence. This was followed by a final wave of violence by pro-Indonesian militias ( Wanra ) and security forces, which was only ended with the intervention of a multinational force ( INTERFET ) under Australian leadership. According to a commission of inquiry, 183,000 people died as a result of the Indonesian occupation .

content

In adopting the resolution, the Security Council referred to its previous decisions on East Timor. These include resolutions 384 (1975) of December 22, 1975, 389 (1976) of April 22, 1976, 1236 (1999) of May 7, 1999, 1246 (1999) of June 11, 1999, 1262 (1999) of August 27, 1999 and 1264 (1999) and the agreements between Indonesia and Portugal on the East Timor question of May 5, 1999 and between the United Nations, Indonesia and Portugal on the modalities of the referendum in East Timor.

In the resolution, the UN Security Council once again welcomes the holding of the referendum and takes note of the result in which the East Timorese opted for independence. The UN Security Council also welcomes the decision of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly on October 19, 1999 on East Timor.

The UN Security Council emphasizes the importance of reconciliation among the East Timorese people and praises the courage and determination of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) in carrying out its mandate. At the same time, the Security Council welcomes the deployment of the multinational force INTERFET, in accordance with Resolution 1264 (1999), and notes the importance of cooperation between INTERFET and the Indonesian government.

The UN Security Council is deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian situation resulting from the violence in East Timor and the large-scale displacement and relocation of civilians, including many women and children. He therefore reiterates the obligation of all parties that the rights of refugees and displaced persons are protected and that they can return safely to their homeland if they so wish.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia is reaffirmed. The importance of securing the borders of East Timor and the declared intention of the Indonesian authorities to cooperate with INTERFET, in accordance with Resolution 1264 (1999), and the United Nations Interim Administration for East Timor (UNTAET) is noted.

The UN Security Council expresses concern over reports of systematic, widespread and proven violations of international law and human rights in East Timor. The perpetrators must be held personally accountable for their offenses and all parties are called upon to investigate these reports. Reference is made to the principle of the Convention on the Safety of UN Employees of December 9, 1994.

The UN Security Council notes that the situation in East Timor is a threat to peace and security.

According to Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations , it is decided:

1. In accordance with the Secretary-General's report, a United Nations Interim Administration for East Timor (UNTAET) will be established with overall responsibility for the administration of East Timor. It is empowered to exercise legislative and executive powers, including the administration of justice.

2. The UNTAET's mandate also includes:
(a)
Establishing security and law and order in the entire territory of East Timor (b) Establishing an effective administration
(c) Supporting the establishment of civil and social structures
(d) Ensuring coordination and allocation of humanitarian structures Aid, rehabilitation and development aid
(e) Support for the creation of an independent government
(d) Support in the establishment of conditions for sustainable development

3. The UNTAET should have structures in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of the Secretary General's report. This includes the main components:
(a) a government and a public administration, including an international police force of 1,640 officers.
(b) humanitarian aid and emergency units
(c) a military section with up to 8,950 soldiers and 200 military observers.

4. UNTAET is authorized to take all necessary measures to fulfill the mandate.

5. In the development and implementation of its tasks, UNTAET depends on the knowledge and capacities of the UN member states, the United Nations and other international organizations, including the international financial institutions.

6. Welcomes the Secretary-General's intention to designate a Special Envoy, who, as Transitional Administrator , is responsible for all aspects of the work of the United Nations in East Timor and have the power to enact new laws and regulations and to amend, suspend or repeal existing ones.

7. The UN Security Council stresses the importance of cooperation between Indonesia, Portugal and UNTAET in the implementation of this resolution.

8. The UN Security Council stresses the need for UNTAET to work closely with the people of East Timor in order to carry out its mandate effectively with a view to developing local democratic institutions, including an independent East Timorese human rights institution, and delegating the administrative and functions of the To transfer public service to them.

9. UNTAET and the multinational force are called upon to cooperate closely with one another, also with the aim of replacing INTERFET with the military component of UNTAET as quickly as possible.

10. The UN Security Council reaffirms the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian and reconstruction aid and calls on all parties to work with humanitarian and human rights organizations to ensure their safety, the protection of civilians, especially children, the safe and effective return of refugees and displaced persons Delivery of humanitarian aid is assured.

11. The UN Security Council welcomes the decision by the Indonesian authorities that refugees and displaced persons in West Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia have a choice of whether to return to East Timor, stay where they are or be relocated to other parts of Indonesia.

12. The UN Security Council stresses that it is the responsibility of the Indonesian authorities to take effective measures immediately to ensure the safe return of refugees from West Timor and other parts of Indonesia to East Timor and the safety of refugees and civilian and humanitarian aid workers in refugee camps and to ensure settlements, in particular by limiting the violent and intimidating activities of the militia there.

13. The Secretary-General's intention to create a trust fund is welcomed, inter alia, for the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, including the buildings of basic institutions, the functioning of public services and tools, and the salaries of local officials.

14. Member States and international authorities and organizations are encouraged to provide personnel, equipment and other resources for the interim administration as requested by the Secretary-General, including for building the basic institutions and capacities. Efforts must be coordinated as closely as possible.

15. Emphasizes the importance of training UNTAET personnel in humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, including child gender regulations, negotiation and communication skills, cultural awareness and civil-military coordination.

16. All violence and acts in support of violence in East Timor will be condemned. The UN Security Council calls for its immediate end and demands that those responsible for the violence be held accountable.

17. UNTAET was created for a period ending January 31, 2001.

18. The Secretary-General is requested to keep the Council closely and regularly informed of progress in the implementation of this resolution, particularly with regard to the deployment of UNTAET and possible future reductions in its military component once the situation in East Timor has improved. A report should be made within three months and a new one every six months.

19. The UN Security Council decided to remain active on this matter.

consequences

East Timor remained under the UN administration of the UN Special Envoy Sérgio Vieira de Mello until 2002 and was given independence on May 20. The last INTERFET troops and most of the UN personnel left the country by 2006. Shortly afterwards, riots broke out, which made it necessary to deploy a military reaction force again. She will finish her mission in December 2012.

Web links

• 1999 collection of resolutions of the UN Security Council (German, PDF; 1.33 MB)