Dili, September 13, 2025 (Média Democracia) – In a dispute between PNTL and EUTL, the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) did not agree with the Timor-Leste University Students (EUTL) to hold a demonstration within the compound of the National University of Timor-Lorosae (UNTL) on 15 September 2025, because PNTL considers the location too close to the National Parliament.
The National Operations Command Commander, Police Superintendent Chief Justinho Menezes, said that today the National Operations Command, together with the PNTL Commander and the Commander of the Special Police Unit, as well as directors and department heads of PNTL, held a meeting with the Timor-Leste University Students (EUTL) to discuss the request regarding the use of 65 vehicles.
“We accept that they can hold political expression, opinions against decisions through demonstrations, we accept that. That is why we asked them to let us define the location. But in today’s meeting, the university students maintained and did not want to change their position, saying that they want to hold the demonstration in the UNTL compound, which is very close to the National Parliament, and according to the law, that is not allowed,” the Commander of the National Operations Command told journalists after meeting with the EUTL spokesperson at the PNTL General Command in Caicoli on Wednesday.
He added that PNTL will authorize students to hold gatherings and press conferences only within the UNTL area, and police will provide security for that. But to carry out demonstrations or marches beyond that, the police will not authorize.
Because, according to Law No. 1/2006 Article 13, the police authority must determine the location for public gatherings, and the law stipulates that demonstrations must be at least 100 meters away from public state buildings. In Dili, such a location does not exist.
“Therefore, today we determined and informed them that they can hold the demonstration, but it must be in Tasi-Tolu. Then we can accompany it, whether it lasts a month, a week, or two, there will be no problem,” said the Commander of the National Operations Command.
According to the spokesperson, PNTL has agreed on the location for them in Tasi-Tolu. However, the students insisted on holding it within the UNTL compound. Therefore, today police declared they would not authorize it and asked the university spokesperson to return and consult again with their superiors.
“We have decided that the demonstration site is Tasi-Tolu, which is free and comfortable for them to express their views. But they did not accept it. That is why they will return to consult, because the demonstration planned for 15 September 2025 will be canceled if the location is not agreed in Tasi-Tolu. They only want UNTL, but that cannot happen,” he affirmed.
He reported that if university students violate, police will take measures according to the law. That is why he appealed to the students that decisions about demonstrations must be collective, especially regarding the location.
“We hope they will decide soon, so we can also give a quick response and then determine the demonstration timing,” he said.
The Commander of the National Operations Command emphasized that if students insist on holding the demonstration in a location not authorized, the security authority will not allow it. If they do not comply with the location determined by police, then police will say “not allowed.” For the demonstration to run well and peacefully, it must take place in the location set by police.
Currently, PNTL has only received a letter from the Timor-Leste University Students. Civil society organizations have not submitted any letter.
“At present, police only received the letter from students, not from civil society. When a demonstration arises, PNTL will hold the spokespersons responsible. Because in their letter they promised it would only be them, but if others join, then measures will be taken,” he reaffirmed.
According to Law No. 1/2006, whoever wishes to organize a demonstration must submit a letter of notification to police. The police then define the location of the demonstration, because all must be carried out under the law.
Meanwhile, student spokesperson Natalício Nunes said that during the meeting with PNTL, no consensus was reached regarding the location for the demonstration near the National Parliament, regarding the decision on purchasing new cars.
“We already submitted the letter, we submitted it two days earlier, but they did not respond, which means they accepted our letter. But on Tuesday, PNTL contacted us by phone to hold a meeting with EUTL, so today we had the meeting with PNTL,” the spokesperson told Média Democracia journalists.
He added that in the meeting, they did not accept the use of the UNTL compound because it is very close to the National Parliament. They consider it a strategic location for the demonstration. Therefore, after the meeting, they did not accept PNTL’s decision and decided to maintain the location mentioned in their notification letter that is, in the UNTL compound.
Explaining further regarding PNTL’s declaration that if EUTL insists on demonstrating in the UNTL compound, police will carry out arrests, EUTL is ready to face whatever challenge arises on 15 September. They will ensure their demonstration is peaceful, guarantees peace and stability, and is directed against the National Parliament’s decision to purchase cars for MPs.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Domingas