United Nations Security Council Resolution 1599
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1599, adopted unanimously on April 28, 2005, after reaffirming previous resolutions on East Timor
(Timor-Leste), particularly resolutions 1543
(2004) and 1573
(2004), the Council established the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL) to follow on from the United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor
(UNMISET) as a special political mission for one year until May 20, 2006.
The resolution authorised a peacebuilding
, rather than peacekeeping
mandate
for UNOTIL.
's recommendation that the United Nations should remain in East Timor at a reduced level, and that institutions were in the process of consolidation.
, and training regarding democratic
governance and human rights
through the provision of relevant officers. UNOTIL was to be headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General
and place emphasis on the transfer of skills and knowledge to deliver better services and build the capacity of institutions.
Meanwhile, the Council urged United Nations agencies, donors and financial institutions to continue to contribute towards the development of East Timor and emphasised the need for accountability for serious human rights
violations committed in 1999.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1599, adopted unanimously on April 28, 2005, after reaffirming previous resolutions on East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
(Timor-Leste), particularly resolutions 1543
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1543
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1543, adopted unanimously on May 14, 2004, after reaffirming previous resolutions on East Timor , particularly resolutions 1410 , 1473 and 1480 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor for six months, with...
(2004) and 1573
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1573
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1573, adopted unanimously on November 16, 2004, after reaffirming previous resolutions on East Timor , particularly resolutions 1410 , 1473 , 1480 and 1543 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor for a...
(2004), the Council established the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL) to follow on from the United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor
United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor
The United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor was established on 20 May 2002, the same day which East Timor became an internationally recognized independent state and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor came to an end.Military and police forces from contributing...
(UNMISET) as a special political mission for one year until May 20, 2006.
The resolution authorised a peacebuilding
Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding is a term used within the international development community to describe the processes and activities involved in resolving violent conflict and establishing a sustainable peace....
, rather than peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
mandate
Mandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
for UNOTIL.
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Council commended the people and government for the peace and stability achieved in East Timor. UNMISET was also praised for its work in the country. The Council noted the Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
's recommendation that the United Nations should remain in East Timor at a reduced level, and that institutions were in the process of consolidation.
Acts
The resolution established UNOTIL for one year to support the development of state institutions and policeNational Police of East Timor
-History:The PNTL was established in May 2002 by the United Nations, before sovereignty was passed to the new state, with a mandate to provide security and maintain law and order throughout the country, and to enable the rapid development of a credible, professional and impartial police service...
, and training regarding democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
governance and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
through the provision of relevant officers. UNOTIL was to be headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
A Special Representative of the Secretary-General is a highly respected expert who has been appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to represent her/him in meetings with heads of state on critical human rights issues...
and place emphasis on the transfer of skills and knowledge to deliver better services and build the capacity of institutions.
Meanwhile, the Council urged United Nations agencies, donors and financial institutions to continue to contribute towards the development of East Timor and emphasised the need for accountability for serious human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
violations committed in 1999.
See also
- 1999 East Timorese crisis1999 East Timorese crisisThe 1999 East Timorese crisis began with attacks by anti-independence militants on civilians, and expanded to general violence throughout the country, centred in the capital Dili. The violence erupted after a majority of eligible voters in the population of East Timor chose independence from...
- East Timor Special Autonomy ReferendumEast Timor Special Autonomy ReferendumThe East Timorese independence referendum was a referendum which was held throughout East Timor on 30 August 1999. The referendum's origins lay with the request made by the President of Indonesia, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 27 January 1999, for...
- Indonesian occupation of East TimorIndonesian occupation of East TimorIndonesia occupied East Timor from December 1975 to October 1999. After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in East Timor, a 1974 coup in Portugal led to decolonization among its former colonies, creating instability in East Timor and leaving its future uncertain...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1501 to 1600 (2003 – 2005)
- United Nations Transitional Administration in East TimorUnited Nations Transitional Administration in East TimorThe United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor provided an interim civil administration and a peacekeeping mission in the territory of East Timor, from its establishment on October 25, 1999 until its independence on May 20, 2002 following the outcome of the East Timor Special...