So many people are awaiting trial that UN civilian police are deliberately not arresting suspects on lesser charges such as assault, theft or creating disorder. Mr Guterres, chairman of the Foundation for Legal and Human Rights, said time could have been saved if the UN had stuck to its previous arrangement of adopting as an interim measure the Indonesian legal code and fine-tuning any deficient laws. He said the UN's ambitions to completely reform the legal system had resulted in unnecessary delays in bringing criminals to justice, creating a dangerous legal vacuum. Mr Sarmento said his courts and staff lacked all but the most basic equipment necessary to hold fair trials in which those found guilty could face a life sentence. He complains of a shortage of vehicles, law books, computers, video cameras and other equipment essential for taking witness testimony.
Transport is just one problem.
After waiting several months, Dili District Court received its first photocopier on Tuesday, saving staff a time-consuming journey to a nearby car rental agency where confidential court documents were previously copied. All the law books were burned by the Indonesians. A total of 45 East Timorese legal practitioners have been appointed, including two investigating judges, four prosecuting judges and six trial judges for the Dili court. Mr Sarmento said it was important for East Timor's judges to set exemplary standards of impartiality to earn public trust and confidence. This was especially important given his scepticism that Indonesia had the political will to bring to justice army generals under investigation for last year's violence.