Where can someone report a crime in Timor-Leste, and what should happen during an emergency?

Immediate danger should be reported through 112. Other reports can be made to the nearest PNTL municipal command, the Ministério Público or the PCIC when the case concerns serious, complex, organised, transnational or cybercrime; practical access varies by municipality.

Which authorities investigate serious or cybercrime in Timor-Leste?

The PCIC investigates serious, complex, organised and transnational offences, performs forensic work and handles cybercrime investigations. The Ministério Público directs criminal investigations and prosecution, while the PNTL handles general policing through its municipal commands and specialised units.

What protection and support can a victim of domestic violence obtain in Timor-Leste?

Law No. 7/2010 provides access to information, confidentiality, protection, medical and psychological care, shelter and legal advice. Reception centres and Casas de Abrigo offer free support, and a court may order the alleged perpetrator to leave the home or avoid contact for up to three years.

How are child-protection and online-exploitation crimes handled in Timor-Leste?

MSSI, the PNTL, the Ministério Público, courts and INDDICA coordinate child protection under the 2023 law and 2024 procedures supported by MSSI and UNICEF. The PCIC and PNTL investigate online exploitation of minors, unauthorised access and computer fraud, with additional capacity-building planned for 2026.

Crime in Timor-Leste

Crime in Timor-Leste includes violence, domestic violence, sexual offences, theft, fraud, threats, prohibited weapons, human trafficking and cybercrime. In 2023, the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste recorded 5,671 criminal events, with Dili accounting for 46.8% of them. Immediate danger should be reported through 112 or the nearest police command.

byNatalia&Pedro

Crime data in Timor-Leste comes from several institutions and is not fully comparable between them. The Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) recorded 5,671 criminal events in 2023, including 2,567 cases of simple bodily injury. It recorded 4,037 suspects; 1,476 were aged 20 to 29 and 1,088 were aged 30 to 39. The Ministério Público recorded 6,399 cases, including 2,017 bodily-injury cases, 1,090 domestic-violence cases, 419 theft cases, 355 threats, 347 sexual offences, 217 fraud cases, 123 prohibited-weapon cases and 56 homicides. These figures use different institutional counting methods and do not measure overall prevalence. The PNTL reported a slight decrease in crime in 2024, but no consolidated detailed table was publicly available. The PNTL operates through 13 municipal commands, specialised units and community-policing structures. The Polícia Científica de Investigação Criminal (PCIC) handles serious, complex, organised and transnational offences, forensic work and cybercrime. The Ministério Público leads criminal prosecution and directs investigations. The Comissão Anti-Corrupção handles corruption matters, while the Serviço de Migração addresses border and migration-related offences. A report can be made to the local PNTL command, the Ministério Público or, for suitable cases, the PCIC through a file report or anonymous report. Practical access differs between municipalities. Domestic violence is covered by Law No. 7/2010. A victim, witness or third party may report it, and police may intervene without waiting for a victim complaint. Hospitals and support services must notify the competent police or Ministério Público. The PNTL normally sends its summary to the Ministério Público within five days. Victims can receive information, confidentiality, protection, medical and psychological care, shelter and legal advice. Public Defender assistance is available when a victim lacks the means to pay. National reception centres and Casas de Abrigo provide free support, including temporary accommodation for children. A court may impose a residence exclusion or contact prohibition for up to three years. Child protection follows the 2023 law on children and young people in danger and the 2024 MSSI-UNICEF procedures for child protection and gender-based violence. MSSI, PNTL, the Ministério Público, courts and INDDICA coordinate protection, with Primero CPIMS+ supporting case management. The PCIC and PNTL are also developing capacity to address online exploitation of minors. The PCIC cybercrime unit investigates unauthorised access, online and computer fraud, digital sexual exploitation of minors and attacks on critical infrastructure. Prevention work includes community and school safety education, local conflict prevention and community-policing partnerships. During danger, leaving the area, seeking help, calling 112 and preserving evidence are safer responses than informal retaliation.

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