The Timor-Leste Parliamentary Women’s Group GMPTL, through Member of National Parliament MP Anastacia Amaral, has criticized the work of Timor-Leste Police (PNTL) for failing to arresta number of suspects in infanticide cases.
She said the cases were reported between 2013 and 2015.
Although some of the suspects have been captured, many of them remain at large.
“Many of them have not been arrested and the community police should be more active in looking at this issue,” Amaralsaid at the National Parliament, in Dili.
She added that the Suku Police (OPS) must develop a good relationship with local communities so that they can identify issues when they occur.
“The OPS should get closer to communities by working together and making friends with the communities so they can feel more comfortable and get along with the police,” she said.
She also called on the PNTLto capture infanticide suspects to discourage other people from committing the same crime.
In response to the concerns raised, General Commander of Timor-Leste National Police, Commissioner Julio Hornai acknowledged that some suspects had yet to be located, blaming the lack of collaboration between police and local communities.
“Communities’ participation is very important to combat crime,” said Hornai.
However, he said police were continuing to make efforts to track down the suspects.
Resident Mariana Fernandes said the perpetrators must be punished.
“The police should find them out and they should be punished so other people will be afraid to do so,” she said.
Resident Dulce MarcianaSarmentoalso called on police to identify and capture the suspects, describing the cases as a serious crime.
