This is an annual report produced
in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Dili. OSAC encourages travelers to use
this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Timor-Leste.
For more in-depth information,
review OSAC’s Timor-Leste page for original OSAC reporting, consular
messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to
private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Timor-Leste at
Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime and civil unrest.
Review
OSAC’s report, Understanding the
Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
As the second youngest country in
the world, Timor-Leste’s security and law enforcement capabilities continue to
evolve. International assistance has helped develop security forces and
professionalize the military. Ongoing challenges for the security sector
include large numbers of unemployed youth, “Martial Arts Groups,” and the
capacity of the local security services.
Crime Threats
The U.S.
Department of State has assessed Dili as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official
U.S. government interests. Due to extreme poverty and high unemployment, crimes
of opportunity occur frequently. Reported data shows most violent
crime involves Timorese perpetrators and victims. Despite significant
socio-economic disparity within the country, violence targeting expatriates is
relatively infrequent.
Pickpocketing,
purse snatching, residential and automobile break-ins, and theft occur,
especially in Dili. These crimes often happen in recreational areas and
facilities foreigners frequent. Victims of crime who resist may encounter a violent
response. Most crimes take place at night; exercise increased vigilance after
dark.
Women walking
or exercising alone in Dili have reported harassment, indecent exposure, and
groping. Incidents have occurred during both day and night, in rural areas and
in busy urban centers. Authorities and communities appear to have done little to
discourage this type of harassment and assault. Women should avoid traveling or
taking taxis alone, especially at night.
Street gangs affiliated with
Martial Arts Groups (MAGs) are present, but the government has banned most of
their activities. Gang violence, which flares up occasionally, primarily occurs
between rival MAGs and rarely targets expatriates or businesses. The government
and NGO community continue to monitor the activities these groups closely.
Review
OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind,
The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers &
Fraud, Taking Credit, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security
Cybersecurity Issues
Internet infrastructure
continues to grow, mainly through mobile subscriptions; approximately one-third
of the population primarily accesses the internet via cell phone. A mediocre
4G data network is widely available, except in
certain remote areas of the country. Although cybercrime is relatively
uncommon, the increasing use of mobile technology will likely lead to
more cybercrime. Timorese law enforcement has
very limited capability regarding cybercrime investigations.
Review
OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi,
Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best
Practices, and Satellite Phones:
Critical or Contraband?
Transportation-Safety Situation
Road Safety and Road
Conditions
Main thoroughfares in Dili are in
relatively good condition, but road conditions deteriorate in residential
neighborhoods. Farther out from Dili, the route is likely to be more hazardous.
The roads outside of the Dili district are especially perilous because of
mountainous terrain and poor road maintenance. During the rainy season
(October-April), driving can be very hazardous due to flash flooding. Recent construction projects exacerbate the road
conditions leading out of Dili. Trips take longer and result in greater wear
and tear on vehicles.
The combination of poor road conditions, an
increasing number of vehicles, and limited driver competency increases the
possibility of traffic accidents.
Outside of Dili, the time required
to transport people from the scene of an accident to a medical facility can be
significant due to rudimentary road infrastructure.
Review
OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State
Department’s webpage on driving and road safety
abroad.
Public
Transportation Conditions
Travelers using
local taxis should always negotiate the fare before getting in the vehicle. In
the past few years, a new service operated by Corrotrans has established a
dispatched and metered cab service, but it only services Dili.
Do not to enter an occupied taxi,
and do not allow taxis to pick up additional passengers. There have been
reported incidents of taxi drivers robbing and/or sexually groping passengers.
Avoid using
shared-ride “microlet” buses, as they are often over-crowded and are frequently
involved in accidents. Microlets and taxis drive recklessly and often do not
adhere to traffic laws.
Review
OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes,
Public Transport, and Overnights.
Aviation/Airport
Conditions
The Nicolau
Lobato International Airport (DIL) is 6 km outside of downtown DiIi in the
Comoro neighborhood. It is west of the Comoro River that runs north to the sea.
The airport is relatively small. The runway is only 1,850 meters (approximately
6,000 feet) long by 30 meters wide. There is no radar capability or permanent
runway lighting, allowing only daylight operations. Planes as large as Boeing
757s have landed, but not on a regular basis due to weight and hard braking
considerations. The airport includes facilities to service and fuel
helicopters.
The passenger terminal is a single, one-story
building on the south side of the airport. There is a Distinguished Visitor's
lounge directly east of the general passenger terminal. Timor-Leste Customs and
Immigration checkpoints are located in the main passenger terminal.
Other Travel Conditions
Ferries are a common method of
travel to the western enclave of Oecussi and to the nearby island of Atauro.
Ferries are crowded, often beyond recommended capacity per U.S. Coast Guard
standards. Whenever possible, avoid ferries and explore other means of travel.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S.
Department of State has assessed Dili as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official
U.S. government interests. No indigenous terrorist organizations operate in
Timor-Leste, and there are no known transnational terrorist groups operating in
the country. In 2015, someone threw a grenade at a U.S. diplomatic residence,
but no group claimed responsibility and the perpetrators remain unidentified.
Local police
and security services have increased their vigilance in monitoring the border
with Indonesia, and are proactively sharing information with Indonesian police
to prevent terrorism from spreading into Timor-Leste.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Local citizens
have a strong affinity for the United States. U.S. flags are common on apparel,
vehicles, and stores. There have not been any recent incidents of anti-U.S.
sentiment.
U.S. citizens may sometimes be
mistaken for Australians, who are occasionally subject to anti-Australian
sentiment stemming from a maritime boundary dispute between Timor-Leste and
Australia. That dispute was the subject of large protests outside the
Australian Embassy in 2016 and 2018. The protests are generally peaceful in
nature.
Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence
The U.S.
Department of State has assessed Dili as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or
affecting official U.S. government interests. Timor-Leste has experienced
several episodes of violence since becoming independent in 2002. There have
been no major nationwide civil disturbances since 2008, however, and
international peacekeepers departed the country at the end of 2012. At no time
has civil unrest specifically targeted official U.S. government interests. However,
stone-throwing attacks on vehicles may occur during gang conflicts and periods
of civil unrest. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest
Civil Unrest
As Timor-Leste continues to
develop and addresses the challenges of constructing a nation, the possibility
of civil unrest remains a concern. The nation last experienced serious civil
unrest related to fighting between the police (PNTL) and military (F-FDTL) from
2006-2008.
Militants who were part of the
independence movement but not reconciled to the political situation represent a
continuing source of potential conflict. Violence related to political actions
by the militarist Maubere Revolutionary Council (KRM) in Baucau district in
2015 did not target or directly affect foreigners, but the possibility of
fighting that could indirectly harm foreigners or business interests remains a concern.
Excessive use
force by the police and military has previously been a trigger for civil
unrest. The fatal shooting of three men by off-duty PNTL officers sparked
peaceful protests and civil action against the police in 2018. The country held
presidential and parliamentary elections in 2017 and 2018 without any major
security incidents.
Post-specific Concerns
Environmental
Hazards
Timor-Leste’s
infrastructure was not built to withstand natural disasters. Timor-Leste
experiences frequent minor earthquakes that to not typically result in damage.
Conditions do exist for larger, more damaging earthquakes. Flash flooding is a
concern during the rainy season, especially in districts outside Dili where the
mountainous terrain creates the potential for landslides. Landslides and washed
out roads are common throughout the country during the rainy season and
frequently disrupt major driving routes.
Critical
Infrastructure
The loss of
services (e.g., food, sanitation, utilities) in the event of a large-scale natural
disaster could lead to a rapid deterioration of law and order. Any disaster
that closed or significantly reduced the operations of the port or fuel
terminal would lead to immediate shortages of basic foodstuffs and fuel.
The government has made major investments in
upgrading its infrastructure. A planned port in Tibar Bay (10km west of
Dili), will increase cargo capacity and ease congestion in the country’s only
operational port, stimulating economic activity by easing the movement of
goods. Builders claim the construction of the port should take three years
to complete.
The government
is improving its road system. The road improvements are part of the Asian
Development Bank (ADB)-assisted Road Network Upgrading Sector Project, which
aims to accelerate economic opportunities, promote private sector growth,
increase agricultural productivity, and reduce poverty.
Economic Concerns
The U.S. dollar is the currency in
Timor-Leste. There have been several cases of low-tech counterfeiting, and authorities
have caught individuals with counterfeit notes brought in from other countries.
Only a few establishments accept
credit cards; these usually require a substantial additional fee. Dili has
several ATMs that accept U.S.-issued bankcards; these are frequently
inoperative and can charge high fees. Be prepared to settle all bills in cash.
Drug-related Crimes
Timor-Leste is a transit point for
drugs, but has experienced relatively limited distribution or production.
Personal Identity
Concerns
Timor-Leste is socially
conservative. Travelers should avoid wearing revealing clothing, particularly
in crowded public areas such as markets. Timor-Leste has a very high rate of
gender-based violence. Review the State Department’s
webpages on security for female travelers.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal
in Timor-Leste. Although there are no
legal protections based on sexual
orientation or gender identity, hate-crime
legislation that includes LGBT identity has been in force since 2009; it
is rarely enforced. Discrimination and violence
against the LGBT community continues, but events such as Pride Parade are well
attended and without major controversy. Review the State Department’s webpages on security for LGBTI+ travelers.
Although the Timorese Constitution
guarantees the same rights to disabled citizens as it does to all other
citizens, Timor-Leste does not currently have legislation that mandates access
to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with
disabilities. Currently most public places and public transportation are not
accessible. Persons with disabilities will face difficulties in Timor-Leste as
footpaths, restrooms, road crossings, and tourist areas are not equipped to accommodate
people with disabilities. Review
the State Department’s webpages on security for travelers
with disabilities.
Review
OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and
the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based
travelers.
Police Response
Law and order
remains a top priority of the government, with primary responsibility falling
to the police. The PNTL’s capacity is limited but improving, with assistance
from bilateral partners in the international community, including from the U.S.
Government. The PNTL has been developing its community policing capacity, and
is slowly beginning to build its capabilities in the areas of criminal
investigations, personnel/facility protection, and traffic control.
Timorese
security forces occasionally establish official security checkpoints along
roads. Authorities may expect you to show your passport at these checkpoints.
While police
detention and harassment is not a systemic problem, the nascent legal system
can lead to prolonged delays with adverse effects on foreigners. In the event
of prolonged detention or incarceration, foreigners should request to notify
their respective embassy.
The emergency line in TIMOR LESTE
is 112.
Download the State Department’s
Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Police are slow to respond to
calls for emergency assistance or initiate investigations into crimes against
individuals. Victims of crime are encouraged to file police reports to help
document the level of criminal activity. U.S. citizen victims should also
contact the U.S. Embassy at +670-7723-1328.
Medical Emergencies
Limited
emergency medical care is available in Dili; options for routine medical care throughout
the rest of the country are extremely limited. Ambulance dispatch uses the 112
emergency phone number, but you should not rely on them to arrive in a timely matter.
Outside of Dili, medical care can be practically non-existent. Serious medical
problems may require medical evacuation (medevac) to Australia (the nearest
point with acceptable medical care), Singapore, or the U.S., which can cost
thousands of dollars.
Find contact information for available medical services and
available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.
Purchase insurance to cover medical evacuation in case of a
serious accident, injury, or illness. Travelers who intend to go diving in Timor-Leste should purchase
diver’s insurance. Medical evacuations can be extremely costly depending on the
severity of the situation; ensure your policies provide sufficient coverage. Review
the State Department’s webpage on insurance
overseas.
Review
OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for
Travel, and
Fire Safety Abroad
Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance
See a physician prior to travel to ensure you have appropriate
immunizations and precautions, including medications for malaria prophylaxis if
traveling outside of Dili. Zika virus is potentially endemic in Timor-Leste; the
risk to travelers is unknown, but may be lower than in areas where Zika virus
is newly introduced and has spread quickly. The following diseases are
prevalent: Dengue Fever; Chikungunya; Malaria (MED level 2); Tuberculosis; and Japanese
Encephalitis.
The
CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Timor-Leste.
OSAC Country Council Information
The OSAC Country Council for
Timor-Leste was launched in 2017 and meets quarterly. To participate in the
Country Council or connect with the Regional Security Office, please contact OSAC’s East
Asia-Pacific Team.
U.S. Embassy Contact
Information
U.S. Embassy in Dili, Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili
Hours: Monday-Friday, 0800 – 1700 (except U.S.
and local holidays)
Embassy
Operator: +670-332-4684
American
Citizen Services Section: +670-332-4684
Duty Officer:
+670-723-1328
State
Department Emergency Line: +1-202-501-4444
Website: http://tl.usembassy.gov/
Helpful Information
·
Timor-Leste
Country Information Sheet
·
OSAC Risk Matrix
·
OSAC Travelers Toolkit
·
State Department Traveler’s Checklist
·
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP)
