29 June 2017

Church tells Timorese political parties to put people first

 22 July, 2017. - EPA
Vatican Radio 28/06/2017 17:50 political parties in Timor-Leste or East Timor are in the midst of a campaign for next month parliamentary elections, the Catholic Church in Asia’s youngest nation is urging them to ramp up their efforts in reducing poverty and improving the lives of people. Twenty-one parties are vying with one another for 65 parliamentary seats in the 22 July elections.  The election that kicked off on 20 June will run up to 19 July.
"The most important thing is that political parties take concrete action to improve the lives of today's poor," said Father Herminio Goncalves, chairman of Dili Diocese's Justice and Peace Commission.  While more than 80 percent of people rely on agriculture, there has been no improvement in the sector. A case in point are the rice fields that have dried up because of poor irrigation.
According to the government, poverty in Timor-Leste is decreasing with the national poverty rate having fallen from 50.4 percent in 2007 to 41.8 percent in 2014.  The country's GDP per capita has also improved from US$762.17 in 1999 to US$983.50 in 2015, the last time it was recorded.  However, Church leaders and observers say poverty rate remains high, with many going without electricity or sanitation. Many suffer malnutrition, unemployment and poor education.  (Source: UCAN)
"This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention from parties," Father Goncalves said on June 26.  The priest also said the church will continue voicing these concerns throughout the campaign.
With over 95% of its 1.2 million people professing Catholicism, the Church in Timor-Leste has a powerful voice. ‎ The former Portuguese colony was invaded by Indonesia after Portugal withdrew in 1975.  The violence that followed saw up to 200,000 people killed before the Timorese voted for independence in 1999. That was met with further violence. Timor-Leste became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on 20 May 2002. 
According to the International Republican Institute, a U.S.-based nonprofit and nonpartisan organization committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide, the Fretilin party and CNRT (National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction) established by Xanana Gusmao in 2007 are the election frontrunners in the elections, followed by the Democratic Party and the newly established People's Liberation Party by former president Taur Matan Ruak.
Former president and CNRT leader, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, told thousands of supporters last week that under his leadership there have been many pro-poor programs.  Gusmao said his party has played a crucial role in preserving peace, unity and stability, which are fundamental cornerstones to ensuring the success of development.  "For the next five years, CNRT will focus more on improving the lives of small people, especially in rural areas, to create more job opportunities," he said. 

East Timor Council of Ministers meeting on June 27th, 2017

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Sixth Constitutional Government

Press Release
Council of Ministers meeting on June 27th, 2017

The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the Government Palace in Dili, and the Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries saw two Government Decrees and a Decree-Law approved and made a progress report on the construction of the Pelican Paradise tourist development.

With the approval of the new Companies Law, it is now needed to approve a Government Decree on the instruments of incorporation models for companies, following current regulations. The second Government Decree approved set out rules for the establishment of the supervisory body for commercial companies to allow the monitoring of accounts and tax compliance by companies that have relevant economic activities, regardless of the model used for incorporation.

Also approved was a Decree-Law on the licensing of commercial activities. This law sets out a new regime that was prepared, with technical support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The law creates a licensing system based on the risk of each economic activity. For low risk activities, permits will continue to be issued, but medium and high-risk activities, in addition to this authorization, shall be subject to sectoral licensing by the relevant ministries and require a prior appraisal.

The Minister of Finance saw two Government Resolutions adopted: one for humanitarian aid to Portugal, following the destruction caused by forest fires, and another on the allocation of funds for the Tour de Timor, a cycling competition used to promote national sport and tourism, which has been conducted every year since 2009.

The Government also approved a decree on the additional payment to employees of the National Press of Timor-Leste. Presented by the Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers, this measure is intended to reward the employees involved in the process of printing ballot papers, voter registers and other election material. The need to ensure compliance with the electoral calendar established by CNE and STAE, with the printing of 805 thousand ballot papers, in addition to other materials for the ongoing process, has produced continuous work for more than three weeks, well beyond the normal work period and also the 40 hours a month of extraordinary work allowed for in the law.

The Council of Ministers approved the arrangements for assessment and accreditation of Higher Education institutions and Study Levels. Presented by the Minister of State, Coordinator of Social Affairs and Minister of Education, this scheme is led by the National Agency for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (Portuguese acronym: ANAAA) and creates mechanisms for the assessment of higher education, university and technical training institutions, and their study levels. The scheme will support improvement in the quality of educational institutions and will provide accurate information on their performance. The accreditation of institutions and study levels is for a five-year period, at the end of which a new procedure for assessment and accreditation is required.

The Minister of Social Solidarity saw approved a Decree-Law on private sector support under the Social Welfare Contributory Framework. Because this is the first year in which this contributory scheme is in force, and recognising that employers need to adapt to this new reality, the law provides a set of exceptions and support to the private sector.
The Minister of the Interior, along with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), made presentation on the impact of the “El Niño climatic phenomenon in Timor-Leste for the period 2015-2016, and made recommendations for the future. ETLJB

JSMP releases findings of its annual report on the East Timor justice sector and the legislature for 2016

JUDICIAL SYSTEM MONITORING PROGRAMME
PROGRAMA MONITORIZASAUN SISTEMA JUDISIÁRIU


Press Release
Regional Seminar,  Dili
20 June 2017


JSMP discloses findings of its annual report on the justice sector and the legislature for 2016 during a regional seminar for community leaders on the roles of the National Parliament and the formal Justice System which was held in Correios, Dili

On 16 June 2017, JSMP held a regional seminar on 'the Roles of the National Parliament and Judicial Actors in the Formal Justice System of Timor-Leste' which  was held at the Salaun Correios, in the Dili Municipality.

The participants in the seminar included village chiefs, women delegates, members of local councils and lia-na'in from 18 villages representing the Ermera Administrative Post, Ermera Municipality; Remexio Administrative Post, Aileu Municipality; and Maubara Administrative Post, Likisa Municipality.  

A total of 20 people attendeed the seminar, of which 8 were women and 12 men and the seminar was covered by the national media based in Dili. The invited speakers came from the National Parliament, the Courts, the Public Prosecution Service and the Office of the Public Defender. 

The National Parliament was represented by the Vice-Chair of Committee A, Mr. Arão Noe. de J. da C. Amaral, MP. The Courts were represented by Judge Edite Palmira, who discussed the roles of the courts in administrering the formal justice system of Timor-Leste. The Public Prosecution Service was represented by Ms. Angelina Saldanha who discussed the role of the prosecution and challenges in the pursuit of justice.. The Office of the Public Defender was represented by its Public Defender General and Coordinator, Mr. Sergio Hornai, who spoke about the role of public defenders and the challenges, faced providing representation to the accused. 

“The event was organised to facilitate direct contacts between local leaders who had already attended a JSMP training course on the sovereign bodies of the State, including the relevant institutions in the justice sector. The aim was to deepen their understanding of such institutions as well as to convey directly to the representatives of  relevant State institutions their ideas, criticisms, doubts and concerns”, said Luis de Oliveira Sampaio, JSMP's Executive Director.  

Before inviting speakers to express their views on the topic under discussion, JSMP presented the findings of its monitoring of the National Parliament, the district courts and the Court of Appeal. JSMP's report stressed again the recurrent lack of quorum in the plenary and Committee A meetings.  MPs fail to be punctual, utilize time effectively, unjustified absences are prevalent, and MPs often move around and hold separate conversations during the debates in the plenary, thus negatively effecting the productivity of the National Parliament. The JSMP report further referred the issue of how immunity was interpreted which is at odds with the State's commitment to ensure good governance and fight corruption. Notwithstanding this, JSMP welcomed the developments that had taken place in the National Parliament in 2016 when changes were made to the Chair of the Parliament.  

The JSMP's report once again brought to light the justice sector's limited budget, the issues of deficient human resources and infrastructures, the fact that hearings in the Court of Appeal are often not open to the public which has only access to the final rulings, and inadequate implementation of the Law on the Protection of Witnesses. Moreover, JSMP's report raised the specific issue of domestic violence. Sixty-six percent of cases monitored in 2016 resulted in defendants receiving suspended sentences. There are no effective mechanisms to standardize these sentences nor applicable rules regarding the behaviour of those convicted. Furthermore, several courts do not enforce additional orders and rules regarding the behaviour of those convicted.Many courts also begin trials very late, negatively impacting the quality of the judicial proceedings.

An issue that was raised by participants in the seminar concerned criminal and civil proceedings before the courts and the legality of the use of costumary law by villages councils to address issues at village level. Participants also demanded that an outreach programme be established to explain to communities how the Land Law will be implemented. Specifically, they felt the acknowledgment of prior rights in the special regime for determination of ownership of immovable property was not clear enough. Furthermore, participants expressed their concern with violations of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure, namely with respect to lack of punctuality, unjustified absences and asked that an adequate procedure be implemented to address those issues. 

In his answer, the representative from the National Parliament explained that outreach activities regarding legislation were a Government responsibility and that the Parliament had a monitoring role, adding that this monitoring role didn't concern only the physical implementation of projects, but included also the implementation of laws and policies. He said that existing issues concerning land and properties should be addressed by the special regime for determination of ownership of immovable property (the Land Law). He added that in the case of proceedings already under way, the authorities should be asked to wait for the cadastral commissions to complete their work to determine the rightful ownership of the land.

As regards MP’s procedural transgressions, namely their lack of punctuality and unjustified absences, Member of Parliament Arão Noe explained that, as politicians, MPs carry out their functions independently and are therefore difficult to control. But he added that the issue would be discussed with the leaders of the parliamentary benches with a view to establishing a sanctioning procedure for those who did not abide by their Statute in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the National Parliament. 

On the other hand, Judge Edite Palmira and the Public Defender General and Coordinator, Mr. Sergio Hornai, explained to participants that in civil proceedings, the courts have to assess the evidence that is submitted by both parties which play an active role in the presentation of the their case. 

As regards peoples' right to own land, Judge Palmira explained that the Special Regime for Determination of Ownership of Immovable Property takes into account the rights of those who have owned the land for a long time and defines clearly their primary right to be title holders. Judge Palmira also stated that, according to the Civil Code, extant leases (aforamentu) from the past were not converted into freeholds (direitu perfeitu) but that rights over such properties were limited to a 20-year period after which a contract had to be signed with the State. 

With regard to the use of customary law to address criminal cases, she explained that it was possible when the crimes were semi-public and the two parties were in agreement. But that if the victim chose to file a complaint with a court, the police did not have the authority to delegate responsibility to community authorities to address the case. Furthermore, in cases that were dealt with by the villages authorities themselves, formal rules had to be observed and the authorities had to ensure that a balanced solution was found and accounted for the damage caused. This point was also emphasized by the Chief Prosecutor for the Dili District, Ms. Angelina Saldanha. 

The participants recommended that their training programme be replicated in other areas, particularly in communities that did not have access to information. 

The seminar closed with the formal submission of JSMP's 2016 annual monitoring reports for the Justice Sector and the National Parliament to the Vice-Chairman of Committee A of the National Parliament, the Chief Prosecutor for the Dili District and the Public Defender General and Coordinator.

The training programme had the support of the Australian Government through their Fund for 2016-2017.

28 June 2017

JSMP Komunikadu Imprensa Tribunál Distritál Baucau 28 Juñu 2017

TETUM SPEAKING FRIENDS This looks like an important report. My Tetum is not so good but it seems like the judge was assaulted when he was in Los Palos to deliver a circuit court judgment. The police failed to protect him from the assailants who continued the abuse of the judge after the attack. JSMP is calling for the security sector agents to provide proper guard for these important judicial officers of the State.

Can anyone confirm this please and perhaps give us a summary in English or Indonesian?

JUDICIAL SYSTEM MONITORING PROGRAMME
PROGRAMA MONITORIZASAUN SISTEMA JUDISIÁRIU


 Komunikadu Imprensa
Tribunál Distritál Baucau

28  Juñu 2017

  
Membru Juis Tribunaìl Distritaìl Baucau hetan asaltu fiìziku iha area julgamentu movel iha Postu Administrativu Lospalos
 Munisípiu Lautem
JSMP husu apoiu seguransa ba juis sira durante hala’o sira nia knaar  

Iha 08 Juñu 2017, iha tuku 09.45, juis ida husi Tribunál Distrital Baucau hetan asaltu iha area julgamentu movel iha Postu Administrativu Lospalos, Munisípiu Lautem.
Iha data referidu, juis ne’e hamutuk ho ofisiál justisa ida hamrik hela iha veranda eis eskuadra PNTL-Postu Administrativu Lospalos, fatin ne’ebe uza hodi hala’o julgamentu movel. Derepente ema ida identifikadu hanesan vizitante ne’ebé (atu trata dokumentu iha polísia) la’o tama liu husi juis ho ofisial justisa ne’e nia klaran. Tanba ne’e, juis hase no husu ema ne’e atu la’o husi sorin, maibé ema ne’e la simu no dudu juis no uza liman atu tuku maibé la kona tanba juis konsege kaer tiha nia liman. Maibé ema ne’e kontinua hatudu liman ho karakter ofensivu ba juis ne’e.

Aktu ne’e akontese sein motivu ne’ebé klaru, maibé JSMP fiar katak dalaruma nia la iha koñesementu katak ema ne’ebé hamrik hela iha eis eskuadra ne’e nu’udar autoridade judisiál ida.

Iha momentu ne’ebá laiha ofisiál polísia ruma mak fó seguransa iha fatin julgamentu. Depoisde akontese mak foin iha polísia ida ba iha fatin akontesimentu maibé la halo atuasaun ruma hasoru ema ne’e. Wainhira ema ne’e atu sae ba nia motor leten atu fila, iha tempu hanesan Prokuradór ida to’o mai no haruka Polísia halo identifikasaun no hatama kedas ba iha sela Polísia hodi hein prosesu investigasaun.

JSMP triste no preokupadu tebes ho situasaun ne’e tanba autór judisiáriu sira kontinua hetan asaltu durante ne’e tanba de’it ema hirak ne’e la iha koñesimentu adekuada kona-ba knaar juis nian ka tanba razaun seluk. Juis sira tenke konfortavel no seguru wainhira hala’o sira nia servisu, no ema hotu tenke respeitu autoridade judisiáriu sira iha kualker situasaun, dehan Diretór Ezekutivu JSMP, Luis de Oliveira Sampaio.

25 June 2017

East Timor introduces ePassports

Timor introduces ePassports June 23, 2017 by e-NewsWire Filed under News, Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE, 23 June 2017: Gemalto, a leader in digital security, partners with the East Timor government to issue electronic passports (ePassports) to citizens.

The complete solution is built around the ICAO-compliant ePassport model.

It comes with a suite of capabilities such as easy enrolments, biometric data capture, de-duplication of redundant biometric information, disaster and data recovery, as well as a full turnkey public key infrastructure and secure issuance of the document.

Read more at the linkhttp://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2017/06/timor-introduces-epassports/

21 June 2017

Inauguration of Suai Airport in East Timor

Inauguration of Suai Airport

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, June 21st, 2017

Inauguration of Suai Airport

A ceremony to inaugurate the Suai Airport, conducted on the 20th of June, marks the completion of a major infrastructure project set to support national development. The airport, located in the municipality of Covalima and about 15 kilometres from the town of Suai, includes a 1,500-metre runway and new airside and landside facilities.

The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. Francisco Lu-Olo Guterres, officially cut the ribbon and signed the inauguration plaque to open the “Commander in Chief of FALINTIL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, International Airport”. This occasion also honored the 71st birthday of Minister Gusmão, who commended the airport as an outstanding project that would create investment, opportunities and jobs.

The ceremony included welcoming remarks given by the Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communication, H.E. Gastão de Sousa, and the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, H.E. Alfredo Pires. The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo was in attendance along with other representatives of the Government, members of National Parliament, Veterans, Clergy, Local Leaders and Officials. The airport was blessed by the Bishop of Maliana, Don Norberto do Amaral.

The facilities include a new terminal building, control tower, fire station, meteorological station and a helipad with Medivac air ambulance facilities. The need to extend and refurbish the old Suai runway and build new modern facilities was identified in the national Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030.

The airport allows for increased national connectivity and will promote the ongoing development of the South Coast by supporting activities related to petroleum and minerals, agriculture and tourism. It will also assist in the delivery of services in areas such as health and security. This facility and associated development in the South Coast reflect the Government’s commitment to support growth throughout the territory of Timor-Leste.

Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “the inauguration of the ‘Commander in Chief of FALINTIL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, International Airport’ is an example of a major project, constructed with quality in a timely fashion. We congratulate the Ministries involved and Timor Gap E.P. for their role. This facility serves immediate needs on the South Coast, supports ongoing development and will be key to realizing the growth potential of the region.”ENDS
East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin

East Timor 2017 General Parliamentary Election Campaign Begins

Preparations for Parliamentary Elections On Track as Campaign Period Begins

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, June 21st, 2017

Preparations for Parliamentary Elections On Track as Campaign Period Begins

The Government, through the work of the National Electoral Commission [CNE], the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration [STAE], the Ministry of State Administration, and the Ministry of the Interior are making all necessary preparations for the Parliamentary Election to be held on the 22th of July 2017.

The Official Campaign Period has begun and runs from the 20th of June to the 19th of July 2017. The Campaign Calendar is available on the website of the National Election Commission.

Last week the process of registering and verifying parties and coalitions taking part in the election was completed. Twenty parties and one coalition will be listed on the ballot paper in the order determined last week by lottery.

On the 22nd of July registered voters will cast their vote between 7am and 3pm at polling centers around the country. They are to make one mark the ballot paper in the box next to the one party of their choice. The 65 seats in the National Parliament are allocated depending on the number of votes received nationally for each party. To receive a seat a party must poll over 4% of the total votes counted.

Each of the 20 parties and the one coalition have already registered a list of their 65 principal candidates and a list of their supplementary candidates. On these lists, at a minimum, every third candidate must be female. The seats won by a registered party or coalition are filled in the order of their list.

A wide-ranging program is now being undertaken to advise voters of election process.

Last week the Minister of State Minister of State, Coordinator of State Administration Affairs and Justice and Minister of State Administration, H.E. Dionísio Babo Soares, met with members of the Diplomatic Corps and Development Partners to update them on preparations. The election will again welcome the involvement of accredited international observers.

Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “the political parties, electoral institutions, national leaders and Government are all working to ensure a calm, well organized and constructive election. We are grateful that we have a country in which parties can openly campaign and where our citizens are able to freely exercise their democratic rights won at great cost by all engaged in the struggle for our liberation. We respect their legacy by our conduct as we approach the election on the 22nd of July.”ENDS

The calendar for the Parliamentary Election is available here.

East Timor Government Policy on Land Rights in the Creation of Legal Protection and Achieving Justice (Indonesian text)

KEBIJAKAN PEMERINTAH TIMOR LESTE TERHADAP HAK KEPEMILIKAN ATAS TANAH DALAM MEWUJUDKAN PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM DAN TERCAPAINYA KEADILAN

Berdasarkan apa yang di ketahui bersama bahwa tanah merupakan dasar kehidupan bagi masyarakat di muka bumi ini dalam menjalankan kehidupannya sehari-hari dan menjalankan kehidupan masyarakat tidak terlepas dari tanah, sehingga tanah mempunyai fungsi yang ganda yaitu untuk tempat tinggal, tempat berdagang, maka dalam menunjang kehidupan manusia, kebutuhan akan tanah sebagai hal yang sangat penting dan mendasar sekali. Bacah lebih lanjut: http://e-journal.uajy.ac.id/367/

USAID Propaganda on East Timor Land Law Issues

ETLJB Editor's Note: See the extract below which is a complete misrepresentation of the facts and a distortion of reality. As at the date of this article, there were no significant reforms in the review and enactment of a land rights law. The $10 million referred to would have gone a long way towards the implementation of systematic or even sporadic land rights registration, boundary surveying and the constitution of a land rights register. This has still not happened.

The land law has only just been enacted; some 17 years since the international intervention in East Timor.

The truth of the mater is that enormous funds from the American tax payers were spent on USAID staff and international "experts" who did nothing to clarify land rights, did nothing to formulate appropriate policies for the government to consider.

The fact is the USAID is essentially an intelligence gathering organisation for the American government and corporations.

Property Rights Reform Makes Progress in Timor Leste

MARCH 13, 2012   ARTICLE

Update on Land Administration and Policies in Asia/Pacific

Earlier this month, the Parliament in Timor Leste passed three laws related to property rights. The new measures, which now await signature by the President, are expected to provide a foundation for resolving disputes and registering land; prescribe procedures under which the Government can expropriate land; and create a fund to compensate property owners who lose their property rights.

These new laws will have a large impact on economic growth, which stalled when the Indonesian occupation ended and civil war ripped the country apart.

The new legislation is a significant accomplishment that USAID and other bi-lateral donors have supported over the long term. Since 2007, USAID has invested $10 million in supporting the Strengthening Property Rights in Timor Leste (SPRTL) project. This project addressed serious concerns related to land-based conflict raised in a 2006 Conflict Vulnerability Assessment. The project’s main objectives included:

Read the rest of this crap here: https://www.land-links.org/2012/03/property-rights-reform-makes-progress-in-timor-leste/

20 June 2017

East Timor Council of Ministers meeting on June 13th, 2017

Council of Ministers meeting on June 13th, 2017


Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Sixth Constitutional Government
Press Release

The press release of the meeting of the Council of Ministers on the 13th of June did not include, by mistake, a Government decision very relevant to the country: the recognition of the right to equal pay for men and women for work of equal value (see last paragraph).
Council of Ministers meeting on June 13th, 2017

The Council of Ministers met this Tuesday at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved a working paper with proposals for amendments to the Legal Regime of Procurement, Public Contracts and its Regime of Infractions. The document summarizes the main policy guidelines for the revision of the procurement regime in force since 2005, which has been reviewed by a national working group. Next steps in the process include internal consultations, followed by public consultations. The Ministry of Finance will verify the financial and budgetary impact of any new legislation coming into force. The current regime consists of three distinct legal diplomas (procurement, public contracts and infractions). This revision seeks to simplify and update its contents, in a single, clear, simple, objective, rigorous and transparent regime for the agents of the State and Public Administration and for the public.

The National Employment Strategy 2017-2030, presented by the Secretariat of State for Employment Policy and Vocational Training, was approved. Based on the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2011-2030 and on the Sixth Constitutional Government’s Programme, the Strategy recognizes the importance of formal employment for the country's economic development, seeking to increase demand, to improve labour market supply and to strengthen institutions.

The Council of Ministers approved the signing of the memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime in force in Timor-Leste, as part of the process of accession to the World Trade Organization. The document was presented by the Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs, in order to conclude another step in the process of accession to this organization.

Three legislative pieces presented by the Ministry of Social Solidarity were also approved.
The first, the Legal Regime of Social Solidarity Institutions, attributes to these institutions a specific status, based on requirements and procedures now defined. The diploma defines the institution’s obligations and rights, as well as the possibility of receiving State support and contracts to provide social responses. It also defines the special monitoring regime to be applied by the State.

The second, the Legal Regime of the combatants for national liberation’s special cemeteries “Jardins dos Heróis da Pátria" (Gardens of the Heroes), establishes the rules governing the operation of these special cemeteries and the funeral services provided for in the Statute of the Combatants for National Liberation.

The third, defines the structure, the objectives and the competencies of the Combatants for the National Liberation Council. This body was created in 2011, with the amendment of article 35 of the Statutes of the National Liberation Combatants, to advise the Government on issues related to defending the interests of Veterans and other issues regarding Combatants for National Liberation.


The Legal Regime of the interconnected functioning between the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of UNTL and the hospitals and units of the National Health Service was approved. This interconnection between Health and Education aims to improve teaching, scientific research and the ongoing training of health professionals.

Proposed by the Minister of State Administration, the Decree-Law on the Licensing of Advertising Messages was amended, in order to reduce the rate applied to the broadcasting of advertising messages.

The Council of Ministers appointed Sabino Henriques as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Authority of Timor-Leste (AACTL). Pedro da Costa Freitas and Ricardo da Costa Ribeiro were appointed to the board of this body.
The Council of Ministers also approved the recognition of the right to equal pay for men and women for work of equal value. This right was initially recognised in 1919, by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as a key element for social justice. In 1951 the international convention known as the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951, was adopted by the ILO’s General Conference. According to the ILO, the salary difference between payments to men and women, for the same activity, worldwide, is 22.9% on average. This means that women earn, on average, almost a quarter less than men, to do the same work. In Timor-Leste, the National Employment Strategy 2017-2030, which was also approved in this Council of Ministers meeting, recommends the adoption of measures to eliminate discrimination towards women at recruitment and promotion and the inclusion of concrete measures to monitor and apply legislation in the public and private sector. Concurrently, the Government Resolution that recognises the right to equal pay for work of equal value takes a decisive step to implement this measure. It allows analysing if equal pay for men and women for equal work is being carried out in the institutions that are a part of the indirect administration of the State, an important measure since many of these workers are subject to the Labour Code and not to the rules applicable to civil servants. ENDS ETLJB

19 June 2017

East Timor Government launches National Action Plan Against Gender Based Violence

Government launches National Action Plan Against Gender Based Violence

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, June 19th, 2017

Government launches National Action Plan Against Gender Based Violence

On the 16th of June the Government’s National Action Plan Against Gender Based Violence 2017-2021 was launched at a ceremony at the Hotel Turismo in Dili. The plan is the most comprehensive developed to date in response to what it calls the “insidious problem” of Gender Based Violence in Timor-Leste.

Signaling the high level of Government commitment to addressing this issue, the Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, spoke at the launch and firmly endorsed the overall goal of the National Action Plan to “reduce and ultimately eliminate gender based violence that affects women, men and children in our communities through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.” The Secretariat of State for the Support and Socio Economic Promotion of Women took the lead role in developing the new plan which updates, extends and enhances the previous plan produced in 2012 following the introduction of the Law Against Domestic Violence in 2010.

Secretary of State H.E. Veneranda Lemos Martins, said the plan was developed through a participatory and inclusive approach. This included discussions with key actors in the sectors of education, health, social solidarity, security, justice, line ministries, national institutions, service providers, civil society organizations and development partners. Community consultation workshops were also conducted throughout the country.

The plan was approved by the Council of Ministers on the 7th of February 2017 and has four pillars: the Prevention of Gender Based Violence, Provision of Services for Victims, Access to Justice for Victims and Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation. A matrix covering the next five years sets out specific actions to be undertaken in each of the four pillars, identifying who is responsible from within government and which external organisations will be collaborating, estimating how much each action will cost, and listing the specific indicators that will be used to measure success.

Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “the liberation and development of our country must result in the liberation and development of us all. That many of our people endure ongoing violence is not acceptable. It is not to be tolerated. It is not to be endured. The Government commends this plan, which should be implemented and appropriately funded for its entire duration so that we can work to transform attitudes and properly support victims and survivors. ”ENDS ETLJB

18 June 2017

Timor parliament approves land ownership system and property

NB: Machine Translation of report in http://observador.pt/2017/02/06/parlamento-de-timor-aprova-regime-de-titularidade-de-terras-e-propriedades/

 The Timorese National Parliament approved on Monday unanimously in the art and in the final overall vote, the bill of "special regime on the ownership of real property", a diploma considered essential to the economic development of the country. "It is very important that this legislation has been approved," he told Lusa, after the vote, the Justice Minister Ivo Valente, who was present at the final debate in plenary.

"It is critical for the future of the country and our citizens. It is a sign that we are making a breakthrough in the country 's development, because then we have a standard that will guide us to find some solutions to some disputes that exist on the ground, "he said. The text approved on Monday in its final version was the target of almost 30 amendments in committee specialty, an intense debate between the representatives of the parliamentary groups.

Several elements of the bill had raised some controversy between the forces represented in parliament, particularly around aspects such as the ownership of secondary rights to land and property. The approval of the law, which will now be sent to the President for promulgation, is the final step after several attempts to pass a law to land and property.

A complicated process given the complex nature of the impact of the various systems in the country: customary and traditional law, the Portuguese colonial administration, the Indonesian occupation, the UN transitional administration and the post-independence period. A first degree was vetoed in March 2012 by the then President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, who claimed lack of consensus of civil society for some possible remedies. In mid-2016 the current legislation was approved in plenary in general having the debate on the details been accelerated in recent weeks in order to approve the legislation before the end of the legislature - are scheduled parliamentary elections for July.

The text considers the "regularization of ownership of real property" is "fundamental to ensure peace and social and economic development of the country" with solutions. Among the solutions is the recognition of prior rights validly acquired "during previous administrations," still creating the figure of the "informal property rights, in order to correct the injustices practiced before the independence of East Timor, due to lack of rights formalization ".

"This informal property rights corresponds to a traditional and individual right to land, allowing those who previously have not received documents for their property rights can now rely on the same terms of those who previously had their formal rights. In this field, this law operates the formalization of these rights through registration, "he explains.

Access to land is guaranteed in two ways: "on the one hand by creating the National Property Register, is allowing the emergence of a secure and transparent real estate market; On the other hand, by clarifying the property belonging to the state domain. " It also provides criteria for the resolution of disputes and the principle of compensation if any "rights of duplicity." The law also recognizes community ownership and creates the figure of community protection zones, aspects that will be deepened in subsequent legislation.

Parlamento de Timor aprova regime de titularidade de terras e propriedades

O Parlamento Nacional timorense aprovou esta segunda-feira por unanimidade, na especialidade e na votação global final, a proposta de lei do “regime especial sobre a titularidade dos bens imóveis”, um diploma considerado essencial para o desenvolvimento económico do país. “É muito importante que esta legislação tenha sido aprovada”, disse à Lusa, depois da votação, o ministro da Justiça, Ivo Valente, que esteve presente no debate final no plenário.

“É fundamental para o futuro do país e dos nossos cidadãos. É um sinal de que estamos a fazer um avanço em termos do desenvolvimento do país, porque temos assim uma norma que nos vai guiar a encontrar algumas soluções para algumas disputas que existem no terreno”, frisou. O texto aprovado, esta segunda-feira, na sua versão final foi alvo de quase 30 propostas de alteração em sede de comissão da especialidade, num debate intenso entre os representantes das bancadas parlamentares.

Vários elementos da proposta de lei tinham suscitado alguma polémica entre as forças com representação parlamentar, especialmente em torno de aspetos como a titularidade de direitos secundários de terras e propriedades. A aprovação da lei, que vai ser agora remetida ao Presidente da República para promulgação, é o passo final depois de várias tentativas de aprovar uma lei de terras e propriedades.

Um processo complicado dada a natureza complexa do impacto dos vários sistemas no país: direito costumeiro e tradicional, a administração colonial portuguesa, a ocupação indonésia, a administração transitória da ONU e o período pós-independência. Um primeiro diploma foi vetado em março de 2012 pelo então Presidente da República, José Ramos-Horta, que alegou falta de consenso da sociedade civil relativamente a algumas soluções previstas. Em meados de 2016 o atual diploma foi aprovado no plenário na generalidade tendo o debate na especialidade sido acelerado nas últimas semanas para poder aprovar o diploma antes do final da legislatura – estão previstas eleições legislativas para julho.

O texto considera que a “regularização da titularidade dos bens imóveis” é “fundamental para assegurar a paz e o desenvolvimento social e económico do país”, com soluções. Entre as soluções está o reconhecimento de direitos anteriores adquiridos validamente “durante precedentes administrações”, criando ainda a figura dos “direitos informais de propriedade, com vista a corrigir as injustiças praticadas antes da independência de Timor-Leste, devido à falta de formalização de direitos”.

“Este direito informal de propriedade é correspondente a um direito tradicional e individual à terra, permitindo que aqueles que anteriormente não tenham obtido documentos relativamente aos seus direitos de propriedade os possam agora invocar, nos mesmos termos daqueles que anteriormente tiveram os seus direitos formalizados. Neste campo, a presente lei opera a formalização destes direitos através do seu registo”, explica.

O acesso à terra é garantido de duas formas: “por um lado, através da criação do Cadastro Nacional de Propriedades, permitindo-se o surgimento de um mercado de bens imóveis seguro e transparente; por outro lado, através da clarificação dos bens pertencentes ao domínio do Estado”. Prevê também critérios para a resolução de disputas e o princípio da compensação quando exista “duplicidade de direitos”. A lei reconhece ainda a propriedade comunitária e cria a figura das zonas de proteção comunitária, aspetos que serão aprofundados em legislação posterior.

http://observador.pt/2017/02/06/parlamento-de-timor-aprova-regime-de-titularidade-de-terras-e-propriedades/

17 June 2017

Request to Readers: New East Timor Land Law

If any reader has a copy of the new East Timor Land Law, may we request that you email ETLJB with it at wwrightatgmail.com

Many thanks.

National Directorate of Land, Property and Cadastral Services

National Directorate of Land, Property and Cadastral Service

National Directorate LAND, PROPERTY AND
REGISTRATION SERVICES
NATURE AND COMPETENCE
Nature   The National Directorate of Land , property and Cadastral Services (DNTPSC) is the service responsible for the creation and management of an information system concerning the use and ownership of real estate and implementation of an efficient system of state property management.

Skills
incumbent upon DNTPSC:

To support government departments in the management of real estate in the public domain and the private domain of state assets;

Promote the necessary measures, in accordance with Law, start the recovery process of the real estate

State assets;

Promote information and operate the administrative procedures to resolve conflicts of possession and ownership of real estate;

Collaborate with the judicial authorities and alternative dispute resolution institutions litigation in resolving ownership disputes and real estate property;

Administer the estate homes that, under the Act are considered abandoned, lost or reverted to the State;

Create a National Geographic Service;

Create a national property register;

Prepare land titles for subsequent registration in the Land Registry;

Collaborate, within their competence, with the remaining agents of the justice services and other relevant entities.

16 June 2017

Enactment of East Timor Land Law major step for Development

Enactment of Land Law major step for Development 

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste Dili, June 14th, 2017 

Enactment of Land Law major step for Development 

The enactment of the Special Regime for the Ownership of Immovable Property on the 1st of June by the President of the Republic, marks the realization of a major policy ambition of the Sixth Constitutional Government. The law, more commonly referred to as the ‘Land Law’ was highlighted in the Government’s Program as “vital for ensuring peace, social and economic development and domestic and foreign investment.”

An initial version of the law developed during the IV Constitutional Government was subsequently vetoed by then President H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta in 2012. In 2015 when the VI Constitutional Government was inaugurated, Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo stressed that the approval of the law was a priority because it was “vital for internal and external investment”.

He noted that “without this law, we may not be able to realise projects that are essential for creating employment.”

After extensive dialogue and review the Council of Ministers approved the draft law on the 29th of March 2016. In mid-2016 it was presented to National Parliament, who approved the law in generality and then, after considerable debate and scrutiny, unanimously approved the law in a final global vote on the 6th of February 2017.

The purpose of the law is to clarify the legal status of land ownership by bringing into effect the different dimensions of the right to private property provided for in the Constitution of Timor-Leste. Clarification of property rights is done through the recognition of prior property rights. In addition the law creates the figure of informal property rights and recognizes Community ownership.

Access to land is guaranteed in two ways. Firstly with the creation of the National Land Registry to allow the emergence of a safe and transparent real estate market, and secondly with the clarification of assets belonging to the State, enabling it to carry out a better management of its assets, which can be distributed to those who may not otherwise have access to land.

The law provides criteria for the resolution of disputes and the principle of compensation where there is "duplicity of rights". Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “the Government was determined to see this law presented, passed and promulgated before the end of its mandate. It is a great credit to all involved that this legislation, so necessary for Timor-Leste’s ongoing development, has now been enacted.”ENDS etljb

East Timor Council of Ministers meeting on 13 June 2017

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Sixth Constitutional Government


Press Release
Council of Ministers meeting on June 13th, 2017

The Council of Ministers met this Tuesday at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved a working paper with proposals for amendments to the Legal Regime of Procurement, Public Contracts and its Regime of Infractions. The document summarizes the main policy guidelines for the revision of the procurement regime in force since 2005, which has been reviewed by a national working group. Next steps in the process include internal consultations, followed by public consultations. The Ministry of Finance will verify the financial and budgetary impact of any new legislation coming into force. The current regime consists of three distinct legal diplomas (procurement, public contracts and infractions). This revision seeks to simplify and update its contents, in a single, clear, simple, objective, rigorous and transparent regime for the agents of the State and Public Administration and for the public.

The National Employment Strategy 2017-2030, presented by the Secretariat of State for Employment Policy and Vocational Training, was approved. Based on the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2011-2030 and on the Sixth Constitutional Government’s Programme, the Strategy recognizes the importance of formal employment for the country's economic development, seeking to increase demand, to improve labour market supply and to strengthen institutions.
The Council of Ministers approved the signing of the memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime in force in Timor-Leste, as part of the process of accession to the World Trade Organization. The document was presented by the Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs, in order to conclude another step in the process of accession to this organization.

Three legislative pieces presented by the Ministry of Social Solidarity were also approved.

The first, the Legal Regime of Social Solidarity Institutions, attributes to these institutions a specific status, based on requirements and procedures now defined. The diploma defines the institution’s obligations and rights, as well as the possibility of receiving State support and contracts to provide social responses. It also defines the special monitoring regime to be applied by the State.

The second, the Legal Regime of the combatants for national liberation’s special cemeteries “Jardins dos Heróis da Pátria" (Gardens of the Heroes), establishes the rules governing the operation of these special cemeteries and the funeral services provided for in the Statute of the Combatants for National Liberation.

The third, defines the structure, the objectives and the competencies of the Combatants for the National Liberation Council. This body was created in 2011, with the amendment of article 35 of the Statutes of the National Liberation Combatants, to advise the Government on issues related to defending the interests of Veterans and other issues regarding Combatants for National Liberation.


The Legal Regime of the interconnected functioning between the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of UNTL and the hospitals and units of the National Health Service was approved. This interconnection between Health and Education aims to improve teaching, scientific research and the ongoing training of health professionals.
Proposed by the Minister of State Administration, the Decree-Law on the Licensing of Advertising Messages was amended, in order to reduce the rate applied to the broadcasting of advertising messages.

The Council of Ministers appointed Sabino Henriques as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Authority of Timor-Leste (AACTL). Pedro da Costa Freitas and Ricardo da Costa Ribeiro were appointed to the board of this body. ENDS etljb

12 June 2017

Introduction to the Laws of Timor-Leste Legal History and the Rule of Law in Timor-Leste


"This paper is part of the Introduction to the Laws of Timor-Leste series of papers produced by the Timor-Leste Legal Education Project (TLLEP). This series seeks to critically engage the reader in thinking about the laws and legal institutions of Timor-Leste, and is based on a model of educational writing first introduced in TLLEP’s Introduction to Professional Responsibility in Timor-Leste textbook, published in 2011. Founded in March of 2010, TLLEP is a partnership between The Asia Foundation and Stanford Law School. Working with local actors in the Timor legal sector, the project’s goal is to positively contribute to the development of domestic legal education and training in Timor-Leste. USAID provided funding for this series through its Timor-Leste Access to Justice Program." Read the full pdf file at: http://web.stanford.edu/group/tllep/cgi-bin/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Legal-History-and-the-Rule-of-Law-in-Timor-Leste.pdf

Timor-Leste president Francisco 'Lu’Olo' Guterres: a product of war now pushing for peace

"Before becoming the fourth president of one of the world’s youngest countries, Francisco “Lu’Olo” Guterres spent almost a quarter of a century in the Timorese resistance against Indonesian occupation.
He rose through the ranks to become the president of Fretilin – formally the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, the leftwing nationalist party that began as a resistance movement fighting for independence from Portugal and then Indonesia. Post-independence, he became the president of the nation’s parliament as it created its constitution."
Read the full article at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/08/timor-leste-president-francisco-luolo-guterres-a-product-of-war-now-pushing-for-peace

11 June 2017

Sumáriu Kazu Tribunál Distritál Suai Periódu Janeiru 2017

East Timor Council of Ministers’ Meeting of 14 February 2017

Council of Ministers’ meeting of February 14th, 2017

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Sixth Constitutional Government

Dili, February 14th, 2017

Press Release

Council of Ministers meeting of February 14th, 2017

The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the Government Palace in Dili, and approved an extraordinary grant to the members of the Election Administration bodies in Timor-Leste, proposed by the National Election Commission, taking into account Law no. 7/2016, of June 8th. This grant will be awarded throughout the election period, with the purpose of compensating the members of the National Election Commission, leaders, managers, staff, and agents of the public administration that perform functions in the election administration bodies due to the substantial increase in work that will result from organizing, administering and supervising the 2017 elections.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity submitted the Draft Law on Child Protection, which will regulate the promotion of children’s rights and the protection of children at risk and in danger, in order to ensure their well-being and healthy development. This draft law was adopted by the Council of Ministers. At its core, is the idea that the child is a responsibility of the family and of the community, and also of the local bodies dealing with matters involving children, of the protection network and of the child protection services network. The law is based on international and constitutional standards, principles and requirements, supplementing the existing legislation in the area of child protection. Judicial intervention can occur in situations in which the child is in danger, the people who have custody (parents or guardians) do not ensure protection and where there are no conditions for the operation of child protection services.

The Council of Ministers approved the cultural heritage legal regime, proposed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, through the Secretary of State for Arts and Culture. This text establishes the legal regime for the Timorese cultural heritage, as well as the methods of preservation, protection, defence and promotion, as provided for in the Constitution. Cultural heritage is a fundamental instrument for the defence and consolidation of national unity and identity. This Law creates the necessary conditions for the inventory, management, protection and development of fixed, movable and intangible cultural heritage of the country. ENDS etljb

East Timor Council of Ministers’ meeting of 31 January 2017

Council of Ministers’ meeting of January 31st, 2017

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Sixth Constitutional Government

Dili, January 31st, 2017

Press Release

Council of Ministers meeting of January 31st, 2017

The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the Government Palace in Dili, and approved the Decree-Law establishing the National Press of Timor-Leste, presented by the Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers, together with representatives from the National Printing House. The National Press of Timor-Leste will succeed the National Printing House, which was restructured in 2013. Last year, this restructuring and the institution’s entry into the domestic market on a trial basis, providing graphic production services to private entities, proved to be a success.

The Ministry of Justice submitted an amendment to the new passport regime, aiming to adjust it to international standards. This was approved by the Council of Ministers.

The Secretary of State for Employment Policy and Vocational Training presented three proposals. The first, on the recovery of movable State assets by the National Centre for Employment and Professional Training in Tibar, was approved. The amendment to Decree-law No. 8/2008, of March 5th, which creates the National Labour Force Development Institute (INDMO), adjusting that decree to reflect the autonomous nature of this Public Institute, was also approved. Finally, the Draft Law on Work Health, Safety and Hygiene was analysed, and is expected to be resubmitted shortly to the Council of Ministers after revision.

The Council of Ministers decreed July 22nd as National Health Day. The proposal for this resolution was put forward by the Ministry of Health. The 22nd of June marks the start of the “Health in the Family” Program, in 2015, which aims to extend primary health care to all families, especially those who live in remote areas. The National Health Day is not integrated in the list of National Holidays or Official Commemorative Dates. Also from the Ministry of Health, the Statutes of the Eduardo Ximenes Regional Hospital (Baucau) were approved. This text establishes the organizational structure of the institution, which, through Resolution No. 17/2016 of June 22nd, transformed the Referral Hospital in Baucau into a Regional Hospital.

The Government's proposal on the Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Cape Verde on the exemption of visas in ordinary passports, presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, was approved. This measure will facilitate the movement of citizens and contribute to the promotion of cultural, commercial and academic exchanges between these two countries belonging to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

The Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries saw his proposal to appoint Sabino Rua for the position of Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Development, Training and Promotion of Bamboo approved. This appointment comes following the amendment made last December regarding the management of this institute, replacing the Board of Directors by an Executive Director.

The Minister of State also presented a resolution regarding the Government commitment to the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Child 2016-2020, which was approved by the Council of Ministers. This National Action Plan aims to guide the relevant entities in the preparation of policies and programmes directed to children, in accordance with priorities established for the promotion of children's rights in Timor-Leste.

The extraordinary and temporary Subsidy to address wage reduction proposed by the Prime Minister, along with the Civil Service Commission, was approved. This follows the adoption of new salary tables and the remuneration methodology for leadership positions, approved by Decree-Law Nos. 24/2016 and 25/2016. It is now necessary to temporarily adjust the remuneration of a group of employees occupying leadership and management positions who saw their wages reduced.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment presented a project for the creation of Timor-Leste’s Quality Institute. The project foresees the creation of an indirect administration service to coordinate a national system of quality. It will be resubmitted to the Council of Ministers.

The Vice-Minister of Finance presented the Report and Opinion of the General State Accounts of 2015, taking into account the recommendations of the Board of Auditors. The document will soon be submitted to the National Parliament.

The Minister of Justice updated the Council of Ministers on the joint ministerial decree between the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Finance, regarding the electronic passport of Timor-Leste, and its associated costs. ENDS

East Timor Government ensures increased use of Tetum in the Justice Sector

Government ensures increased use of Tetum in the Justice Sector

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, January 25th, 2017

Government ensures increased use of Tetum in the Justice Sector

The Government, following through on its Program, is supporting the increased use of Tetum in the Justice Sector. On the 17th of January the Council of Ministers approved a decree on The Use of Official Languages in the Justice Sector requiring the use of Timor-Leste’s two official languages, Tetum and Portuguese.

Bilingual procedures are going to be prioritized in areas where citizens interact with the Justice sector on a regular basis including registry and notary services, land and property, the Public Defenders Office and the Police. The decree says “everyone has the right to speak in an official language, either orally or in writing, to any body or department of the justice sector and to receive a reply in the official language of their choice.”

The Sixth Constitutional Government’s Program commits to giving particular attention to “creating measures that make the legal system truly bilingual” and working to ensure “full and equal use of both languages.” By acting on this commitment the Government assists Timor-Leste in making progress towards targets within Sustainable Development Goal 16 which include promoting “the rule of law” and ensuring “equal access to justice for all’’.

Measures set out in the decree include the bilingual publication of laws, the provision of qualified and competent translation and interpretation services for the courts and other judicial bodies and the adoption of bilingual procedures within the public services of justice. New laws are to be published in both languages and existing laws will be translated so that they are available in Tetum.The implementation of the decree will benefit citizens, police, prosecutors, investigators, advocates and other judicial actors.

The decree recognizes that to ensure accuracy there will need to be a development of legal vocabulary within Tetum, a process it says “should be encouraged” and which is to be promoted and guided by the Special Council for the Development of Legal Tetum established by the legislation.

Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “this newly approved decree is a landmark in our judicial development. It most significant because it creates the tools, structures and budgeting processes needed to turn our aim of equal use of our two official languages in the justice sector into reality”. ENDS

See also East Timor: Language and The Law