CHILD OF TIMOR LESTE PERMREP REPORTS ABUSE

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000341 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/UNP - S.EDMONDSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP UN TT PREL SUBJECT: CHILD OF TIMOR LESTE PERMREP REPORTS ABUSE ¶1. On April 8, 2008, the school teacher of the six year-old son of Timor Leste's PermRep, HE Ambassador Nelson Santos, noticed marks indicating abuse. In response to the teacher's inquiries about the marks, the child stated his father had hit him with a belt. The teacher reported this to the New York Administration of Children's Services (ACS). The child was taken by ACS for a medical examination and was held at the hospital most of the night until being released back to his father's custody at approximately 4:00 a.m., on condition that the PermRep agree to have a meeting on April 9, 2008 with ACS representatives, the NYC Commission for the UN, and USUN officials. ¶2. The meeting took place at the offices of the NY Commission. When questioned by ACS about the abuse, the PermRep responded that he deeply regrets hitting his son, acknowledged that he had gone "overboard" with his discipline, and states that his own expectations of his son and his priorities need to be modified. He explained that his son has been experiencing behavior problems and has been without his mother, who is still living in Timor Leste, for some time. The PermRep admits he became very frustrated and slapped the child with a folded belt. He reports feeling great remorse and shame, and offers his assurances that he would never take such action again, not because of the law, but because "it is a shameful act." The PermRep agreed to, and even requested, all services offered by ACS, including counseling and/or anger management, as well as evaluation and counseling for his son. He also agreed to bi-weekly home visits by ACS, both announced and unannounced. He further states that his wife plans to come to the U.S. to stay permanently with the family, and he expects this to have a positive effect. ACS is currently formulating a treatment plan. ¶3. The NYC Deputy Commissioner stated that the NYPD has charged Ambassador Santos with second degree felony assault of his son, but the charges are being held in abeyance for now. The case has not been referred to the prosecutors, but the City left such a possibilty open in the unlikely event that the PermRep was found not to be cooperating or if abuse were to recur. Khalilzad