Current Missions - Sierra Leone, Sudann, Switzerland and Timor-Leste

2006-2008 Biennial Review

Table of Contents

Sierra Leone | Sudan | Switzerland | Timor-Leste

Sierra Leone

Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL)

• In operation since October 2002.
• Canadian contingent: currently authorized for up to six police officers.

Description

The SCSL was established jointly by the Government of Sierra Leone and the UN on January 16, 2002. The Court is mandated to bring to justice those individuals bearing the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian and Sierra Leonean laws committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996.

Expected Outcomes

• Under the direction of the Prosecutor for the Special Court, Canadian police officers investigate and collect evidence related to violations of international humanitarian law committed in Sierra Leone during the civil war.
• Support the court in prosecuting those who bear the greatest responsibility for the violations.
• Train and mentor Sierra Leone Police Force (SLPF) officers assigned to the Special Court.

Results

• The work of the Special Court and police personnel, including Canadians, has played a major role in bringing criminals to justice. This in turn has helped consolidate peace and promote human rights within Sierra Leone.
• Thirteen people have been indicted from the three main groups of combatants during the civil war. Of those 13, five have been tried and convicted, four are on trial, one is at large and three have died while under indictment.
• In fiscal year 2006-2007, investigators worked on 300 investigative tasks associated to the case of Charles Taylor (former president of Liberia).
• Canadian police played a major role in establishing a witness protection program and a training program to sustain it. A Canadian was recently assigned to be Chief of the Witness Management Unit which is responsible for more than 500 witnesses for various international trials.
• Having Canadian officers in theatre has assisted the Financial Investigations Unit (Office of the Prosecutor) to manage and prepare complex cases with multi-country dimensions (e.g. Charles Taylor case).
• Due to the case presented to the Special Court, landmark convictions, including a conviction for recruiting child soldiers, were registered against three former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council members.

http://www.sc-sl.org/

Sudan

United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)

• In operation since May 2006.
• Canadian contingent: currently authorized for up to 25 police officers.

Description

In March 2005, the UN Security Council established UNMIS after determining that the situation in the country continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security. UNMIS supports the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army. It is mandated to facilitate and coordinate the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons as well as protect and promote human rights.

Expected Outcomes

• Assist in restructuring the South Sudan Police Service (SSPS).
• Ensure the development of core policing functions such as administration, strategic planning and human resource management.
• Advise, train and monitor local police on maintaining law and order.
• Assess the policing needs of the community.
• Develop a police training and evaluation program and assist in the training of police.

Results

• Assisted in the development of community policing programs and in planning for International Women’s Day activities.
• Planned and coordinated the establishment of a new police training academy in the south region of Yei. To date, two buildings have been procured for the academy.
• Provided training to other UN Police to improve service delivery to the SSPS.
• In June 2007, one Canadian was deployed to an advance planning team to assist with establishing UNAMID (United Nations African Mission in Darfur), which began in January 2008.
• Advanced gender equality within the SSPS by ensuring that female recruits be trained for police duty and not relegated to secretarial functions as was the practice. Trained the first female troop of 20, four of whom are now UN-certified police trainers.
• Provided some of the first HIV/AIDS education and awareness sessions to SSPS members and the general public in Yei, where approximately 60% of the population has HIV/AIDS.
• Improved living conditions of detainees in the Yei police station and prison cells by carrying out physical repairs and establishing a regular sanitation routine and inspections.
• Arranged for the donation from Canada of 360 lbs. of clothes, toys and school supplies to a local orphanage.

http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmis/

Switzerland

The Geneva Centre for The Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

• In operation since 2006.
• Canadian contingent: currently authorized for one police officer.

Description

Initiated in 2000 by the Swiss Government, DCAF is an international foundation contributing to the democratization of defence and security sectors in countries in transition to democracy and societies affected by crisis or war. In 2006, Canada received an official request to second a senior police officer to develop a police program.

Expected Outcomes

• Develop and coordinate DCAF projects on police reform, education and oversight, as well as projects related to policing in peace support operations (UN, EU, OSCE, etc.).
• Develop a strategic plan for DCAF police reform work in South Eastern Europe, Asia, newly independent states (former USSR states) and Africa.
• Provide strategic advice on problems and issues relating to the policing sector; organize and participate in field missions, and organize conferences and events to support the Police Reform Program’s activities.
• Establish and maintain contact with local, regional and other governmental and non-governmental organizations with a role in policing, including human rights advocacy groups.

Results

• Led the establishment of a new Police Reform Program, including a comprehensive strategic plan and standard operating procedures (SOP). The Police Reform Program’s SOPs have since been adopted by some of the Centre’s other teams. This was a significant contribution to the development of security system reform, doctrine and training in Europe.
• Supported the implementation of the Police Cooperation Convention for South East Europe, signed by Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Romania and Moldova.
• Undertook various field missions to Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia to conduct needs assessments on behalf of multilateral organizations such as the UN and the OSCE.
• Organized a series of capacity-building seminars for the South Eastern Europe Police Chiefs Association for 2007-2009.
• Created a solid network of international security sector reform contacts. Established a strong reputation and demand for the program within DCAF.

http://www.dcaf.ch/

Timor-Leste

United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)

• In operation since April 2006, Canadian police participating since December 2006; other Canadian deployments occurred between 1999 and 2004 for previous UN missions.
• Canadian contingent: currently authorized for up to six police officers.

Description

As a result of violence that began in April 2006, the UNMIT was established on August 25, 2006. Its mandate is to support the Timorese government and relevant institutions with a view to consolidating stability, enhancing a culture of democratic governance and facilitating political dialogue. It supports the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) and assists in conducting a comprehensive security sector review. UNMIT’s mandate includes executive power for UN Police officers.

Expected Outcomes

• Cooperate and coordinate with UN agencies and programs as well as other relevant partners to make maximum use of assistance in post-conflict peace-building and capacity building.
• Provide the PNTL with a positive and professional influence.
• Promote and defend international human rights standards.

Results

• Held positions of responsibility within the mission, such as head of the Integrity Investigations Unit and Commander of the Dili Police Station, among others.
• Created conditions for the rapid resettlement of the PNTL, so that Timor-Leste nationals could carry out law enforcement duties as soon as possible.
• Assisted the government in all aspects of ensuring a secure environment for the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. Played a significant role in overseeing PNTL registration, screening and certification.
• Maintained law and order throughout the country. UN Police and PNTL investigators worked hard to bring to justice those responsible for the violence in Dili and surrounding districts.
• Conducted serious investigations, developed national policy and trained the PNTL within the sphere of the National Vulnerable Persons Unit; assisted in securing funds to construct a safe house for victims of domestic violence in the district of Covalima.

http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmit/

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