La’o Hamutuk Husu Parlamentu Nasionál atu Hasai Kriminalizasaun ba Defamasaun husi Kódigu Penal Timor-Leste

 Link to this blog in English 

Iha dia 3 Juñu La’o Hamutuk hato’o submisaun ba Komisaun A Parlamentu Nasionál kona-ba Projetu Lei Alterasaun ba Kódigu Penál, no husu Parlamentu atu separa ho klaridade matéria rua ne’ebé iha natureza diferente: protesaun ba vítima violénsia seksuál no kriminalizasaun defamasaun.

La’o Hamutuk apoiu medida sira atu kriminaliza asédiu seksuál, komportamentu seksuál la ho konsentimentu no insestu. Vítima violénsia seksuál presiza protesaun forte, asesu ba justisa, dignidade no sistema justisa ne’ebé seguru, sensivel no konfidensiál.

Maibé, La’o Hamutuk rejeita proposta atu kriminaliza defamasaun iha Kódigu Penál. La’o Hamutuk la defende falsidade, ofensa ka imputasaun falsu. Defamasaun bele hamosu prejuizu real ba indivíduu, família no komunidade. Maibé resposta ne’ebé justu, efetivu no proporsional la’ós prizaun. Mekanizmu apropriadu sira mak direitu resposta, retifikasaun, mediasaun, reparasaun sivíl, uza mekanizmu iha Konsellu Imprensa, étika komunikasaun sosiál, literasia dijitál no verifikasaun faktu independente.

La’o Hamutuk rekoñese katak liberdade espresaun la’ós direitu absolutu, no katak Estadu iha devér atu proteje onra, naran di’ak no reputasaun. Maibé, iha Estadu demokrátiku, kualkér restrisaun ba liberdade espresaun tenke sai nesesária, proporsional no medida menus restritiva. Bainhira iha ona direitu resposta, retifikasaun, mediasaun, reparasaun sivíl no mekanizmu Konsellu Imprensa, pena prizaun ba defamasaun sai resposta ne’ebé todan liu no risku liu.

Kriminalizasaun defamasaun ho pena prizaun bele hamosu ambiente ta’uk, auto-sensura- evita ko’alia kona-ba asuntu sensivel no intimidasaun. Jornalista sira bele sente presaun iha investigasaun kona-ba asuntu públiku. Denunsiante sira bele ta’uk atu ko’alia. Akadémiku, ativista, vítima no sidadaun sira bele evita atu hato’o sira nian hanoin. Komunidade afetada bele sente intimidasaun bainhira hato’o preokupasaun kona-ba korrupsaun, abuzu podér, kontratu públiku, rekursu naturál, mina no gás, mineiru, ambiente, infraestrutura, bee, eletrisidade, saúde no edukasaun.

Maski Projetu Lei bele prevee salvaguarda ba lia-loos, boa-fé ka interese públiku, salvaguarda sira ne’e normálmente la’o depois prosesu kriminál hahú. Efeitu intimidatóriu mosu kedas bainhira jornalista, denunsiante ka sidadaun hetan keixa, investigasaun, kustu advogadu, stigma sosiál no ameasa prizaun. Tanba ne’e, problema prinsipál la’ós de’it sentensa finál, maibé natureza kriminál husi prosesu rasik.

Iha setór ne’ebé envolve rekursu públiku, kontratu boot, ambiente no impaktu ba komunidade, liberdade atu husu pergunta no publika análize independente mak parte esensiál husi governasaun di’ak. Ida ne’e la’ós atu impede dezenvolvimentu, maibé atu garante transparénsia, responsabilidade no konfiansa públika. Lei penál labele sai instrumentu atu limita povu afetadu sira nian lian ka hamenus kontrolu demokrátiku ba desizaun sira ne’ebé envolve interese públiku.

Memória istórika Timor-Leste hanorin ita atu kuidadu ho kualkér lei ne’ebé bele limita liberdade espresaun no debate públiku. Demokrasia ne’ebé forte presiza imprensa independente, denunsiante ne’ebé protejidu, no sidadaun sira ne’ebé livre atu hato’o preokupasaun la ho intimidasaun.

Iha tinan 2020, proposta hanesan kona-ba kriminalizasaun defamasaun husi Ministériu Justisa hetan rezisténsia boot husi públiku, sosiedade sivíl, jornalista no defensór direitus umanus. Iha tempu ne’ebá, La’o Hamutuk hato’o submisaun no karta aberta ba autoridade relevante sira atu rejeita proposta refere. Governu suspende prosesu ne’e iha Agostu 2020, maibé proposta la kansela permanente.

Agora, Parlamentu Nasionál konsidera fila fali proposta kriminalizasaun defamasaun iha 2026, La’o Hamutuk husu Komisaun A no Parlamentu Nasionál atu aprende husi prosesu pasadu. Parlamentu tenke garante konsultasaun públika nasionál ne’ebé substantiva, inkluziva no transparente antes votasaun finál.
La’o Hamutuk respeita Parlamentu Nasionál nian kompeténsia konstituisionál atu halo lei. Husi ne’ebá, rekomendasaun sira ne’e hato’o hanesan kontribuisaun sosiedade sivíl atu ajuda prosesu lejizlativa sai transparente, inkluzivu, proporsional no kompativel ho direitus umanus liu.

La’o Hamutuk husu Komisaun A no Parlamentu Nasionál atu:

1. Hasai artigu 187.º-A to’o 187.º-H husi Projetu Lei Alterasaun ba Kódigu Penál, liuliu dispozisaun sira ne’ebé kriminaliza defamasaun, injuria, ofensa ba memória matebian - ofensa ba dignidade no naran-di’ak ema ne’ebé mate ona no ofensa ba entidade koletiva.
    
2. Kontinua diskute no aprova medida sira ne’ebé atu hametin protesaun ba vítima violénsia seksuál, inklui asédiu seksuál, importunasaun seksuál, komportamentu seksuál la ho konsentimentu no insestu.
   
   
3. Realiza konsultasaun públika nasionál iha Dili no munisípiu sira, ho dokumentu jurídiku iha Tetun ne’ebé klaru no asesivel, no envolve jornalista, Konsellu Imprensa, organizasaun feto no labarik, juventude, ema ho defisiénsia, PDHJ, Ministériu Públiku, PNTL, Defensória Públika, Igreja, autoridade lokál, akadémiku, sobrevivénte violénsia seksuál, komunidade rurál no organizasaun sosiedade sivíl.
   
   
4. Reforsa mekanizmu sivíl no institusionál atu proteje reputasaun, liu husi direitu resposta, retifikasaun, mediasaun, reparasaun sivíl, Konsellu Imprensa, étika komunikasaun sosiál, literasia dijitál no verifikasaun faktu independente.
   
   
5. Fó prioridade ba aprovasaun lei protesaun denunsiante no fonte informasaun iha interese públiku, atu ema sira ne’ebé revela informasaun kona-ba korrupsaun, abuzu podér, violénsia ka risku ambientál la hetan intimidasaun ka retaliasaun.

La’o Hamutuk reafirma katak protesaun ba reputasaun importante tebes, maibé, proposta atu kriminaliza defamasaun ho pena prizaun kontinua aprezenta risku signifikativu ba liberdade espresaun. Pena prizaun bele uza hanesan instrumentu atu intimida jornalista, denunsiante no sidadaun sira ne’ebé halo kritika ne’ebé iha fundamentadu no iha interese públiku. Tanba ne’e, Parlamentu tenke separa matéria violénsia seksuál husi matéria defamasaun.

Pena prizaun la’ós resposta ne’ebé apropriadu. Lei penál labele uza hanesan instrumentu atu limita kritika lejítima, denunsia iha boa-fé, jornalizmu independente, peskiza akadémika, partisipasaun públika ka lian komunidade afetada.

Proteje vítima. Proteje reputasaun. Maibé labele lori ema kritiku ba prizaun.

Kritika la’ós krime. Denunsia iha boa-fé la’ós krime. Partisipasaun públika la’ós krime.

Bele hetan informasaun no artigu tan husi 
https://www.laohamutuk.org/Justice/defamation/2020/20DefamLaw.htm 

LH asks National Parliament to Remove Criminalization of Defamation from TL Penal Code

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On 3 June, La'o Hamutuk made a submission to Committee A of the National Parliament on the proposed law to amend the Penal Code, asking Parliament to clearly separate two matters of different natures: protecting victims of sexual violence and criminalizing defamation.

La'o Hamutuk supports measures to criminalize sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual acts and incest. Victims of sexual violence need strong protection, access to justice, dignity and a safe, sensitive and confidential justice system.

However, La'o Hamutuk rejects the proposal to criminalize defamation in the Penal Code. La'o Hamutuk does not advocate falsehood, offense or false imputation. Defamation can cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. But prison is not a fair, effective and proportionate response. Appropriate mechanisms are the right of reply, rectification, mediation, civil reparation, use of mechanisms in the Press Council, media ethics, digital literacy and independent fact checking.

La'o Hamutuk recognizes that freedom of expression is not an absolute right, and that the State has a duty to protect honor, good name and reputation. However, in a democratic state, any restriction on freedom of expression must be necessary, proportionate and the least restrictive measure. When there is a right of reply, rectification, mediation, civil reparation and Press Council mechanisms, a prison sentence for defamation becomes the most severe and dangerous response.

Criminalizing defamation with prison can create an environment of fear, self-censorship- avoidance of speaking about sensitive subjects and intimidation. Journalists may feel pressure not to investigate public matters. Whistleblowers may be afraid to speak up. Academics, activists, victims and citizens may avoid expressing their views. The affected community may feel intimidated when raising concerns about corruption, abuse of power, public contracts, natural resources, oil and gas, mining, environment, infrastructure, water, electricity, health and education.

Although the bill might provide for truth, good faith or public interest safeguards, these safeguards normally lapse once criminal proceedings have commenced. The intimidating effect comes immediately when the journalist, whistleblower or citizen is subjected to complaints, investigations, attorney fees, social stigma and the threat of imprisonment. Therefore, the main problem is not just the final judgment, but the criminal proceedings themselves.

In a sector involving public resources, large contracts, the environment and community impact, the freedom to ask questions and publish independent analysis is essential to good governance. This is not to impede development, but to ensure transparency, accountability and public trust. Criminal law must not be used as an instrument to limit the voice of affected peoples or reduce democratic control over decisions involving the public interest.

Timor-Leste's historical memory teaches us to be wary of any law that limits freedom of expression and public debate. A strong democracy requires an independent press, protected whistleblowers, and citizens who are free to voice concerns without intimidation.

In 2020, a similar proposal to criminalize defamation by the Ministry of Justice was met with strong resistance from the public, civil society, journalists and human rights defenders. At that time, La'o Hamutuk submitted a submission and an open letter to the relevant authorities to reject the proposal. The government suspended the process in August 2020, but the proposal was not permanently cancelled.

Now, the National Parliament is again considering the proposal to criminalize defamation, and La'o Hamutuk again asks Committee A and Parliament to learn from the past. Parliament must ensure substantive, inclusive and transparent national public consultation before the final vote.

La'o Hamutuk respects the Parliament's constitutional power to enact laws. Therefore, these recommendations are presented as a civil society contribution to help the legislative process be more transparent, inclusive, proportionate and consistent with human rights compatible.

La’o Hamutuk calls on Committee A and the National Parliament to:

1. Remove articles 187-A to 187-H from the Penal Code Amendment Bill, especially the provisions that criminalize defamation, insult, offense to the memory of the deceased - offense to the dignity and reputation of the deceased and offense to the collective entity.
   
   
2. Continue to discuss and approve measures to strengthen protections for victims of sexual violence, including sexual harassment, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual acts and incest.
   
   
3. Conduct national public consultations in Dili and the municipalities, with clear and accessible legal documents in Tetum, and involve journalists, the Press Council, women and children's organizations, youth, people with disabilities, PDHJ, Public Prosecutor, PNTL, Public Defender, Church, academics, local authorities, survivors of sexual violence, rural communities and civil society organizations.
   
   
4. Strengthen civil and institutional mechanisms to protect reputation, through the right of reply, rectification, mediation, civil reparation, Press Council, media ethics, digital literacy and independent fact checking.
   
   
5. Prioritize adoption of laws protecting whistleblowers and sources of information in the public interest, so that people who disclose information about corruption, abuse of power, violence or environmental risk are not intimidated or retaliated against.

La'o Hamutuk reaffirms that the protection of reputation is very important. However, the proposal to criminalize defamation with a prison sentence continues to present a significant risk to freedom of expression. Imprisonment could be used as a tool to intimidate journalists, whistleblowers and citizens who make well-founded and public interest criticism. Therefore, Parliament should separate the matter of sexual violence from the matter of defamation.

A prison sentence is not an appropriate response. Criminal law must not be used to limit legitimate criticism, whistleblowing, independent journalism, academic research, public participation or the voices of the affected community.

Protect the victim. Protect reputation. But don't send critics to jail.

Criticism is not a crime. Whistleblowing in good faith is not a crime. Public participation is not a crime.

More information, articles and submissions are on La'o Hamutuk's webpage. 

Remembering John M. Miller, International Solidarity, and the Struggles Continue!

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With deep respect and sorrow, the people of Timor-Leste received the news of the passing of John M. Miller—co-founder and National Coordinator of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network/U.S. — an activist who, for decades, dedicated his life to human rights, justice, and the self-determination of the Timorese people.

ETAN was founded in 1991, following the Santa Cruz Massacre, amid grave human rights violations that required an urgent response from the international community. Through campaigns, civil society mobilization, and political advocacy in the United States and at the United Nations, ETAN helped to amplify Timor-Leste’s voice to the world and build international solidarity.

John M. Miller was not an activist who wanted fame. His quiet yet impactful work—organizing solidarity networks, sharing reliable information, and connecting people at various levels—contributed to a shift in international awareness and strengthened networks supporting Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste’s independence was the result of a long and complex struggle: FRETILIN leadership, FALINTIL armed resistance, clandestine networks, international diplomacy, global solidarity—including the East Timor Action Network—and geopolitical changes in the region, Indonesia, and the world. International solidarity strengthened the struggle, making Timor-Leste a success story of collective struggle in the world.

At the strategic level, John Miller’s contributions to ETAN involved political advocacy, community-level campaigns, and engagement with political institutions to help influence discussions and decisions within the U.S. government and the international arena. His work demonstrates that international solidarity can be a transformative force when organized with evidence, strategy, discipline, and persistence.

The people of Timor-Leste’s right to self-determination stems from the universal principles of the United Nations, and John Miller, along with other international solidarity activists, helped to turn this principle into political reality on the global stage.

After independence, ETAN continues to support Timor-Leste on issues such as justice, accountability, human rights, and democratic development, including the struggle over the maritime border between Australia and Timor-Leste, which the people of Timor-Leste have been fighting for years — showing that solidarity is not just a temporary gesture, but a long process. John and ETAN continue to advocate for the self-determination of West Papua.

John’s contributions have been recognized by the State of Timor-Leste through a national honor. But his legacy extends beyond the medal to the network of solidarity he helped create, to the people he inspired, and to the global struggle for human rights.

In a world that still faces injustice, the memory of John M. Miller offers a moral compass:

Those who have the freedom to speak out have a responsibility to act, especially when their own government acts against people’s rights.

For the people of Timor-Leste, John is not only a friend but a part of the history of the victorious struggle.

Solidarity does not die. Memory does not fade. We must all continue on the path of justice.

The Struggles Continue.

John M. Miller: Solidariedade Internasionál, Memória no As Lutas Continuam!

 Link to this blog in English. 

Ho laran todan no respeitu kle’an, povu Timor-Leste simu notísia kona-ba falesimentu maun John M. Miller — ko-fundadór no Koordenadór Nasionál East Timor and Indonesia Action Network/U.S. — ativista ne’ebé durante dékada sira dedika ninian moris ba direitu umanu, justisa no autodeterminasaun povu timoroan.

ETAN hari’i iha 1991, depois Masakre Santa Cruz, iha kontestu violasaun grave kontra direitu umanu ne’ebé presiza resposta urjente husi komunidade internasionál. Liu husi kampaña, mobilizasaun sosiedade sivíl no advokasia polítika iha Estadus Unidus Amerika no iha Nasoins Unidas, ETAN ajuda amplifika Timor-Leste nian lian ba mundu no hametin solidariedade internasionál.

Maun John M. Miller la’ós ativista ne’ebé buka fama. Nia servisu ho kalma maibé iha impaktu boot — organiza rede solidariedade, fahe informasaun kredível no liga ema sira iha nivel diferentes, nune’e kontribui ba mudansa iha konsiénsia internasionál no fortalese rede apoiu ba Timor-Leste.

Independénsia Timor-Leste nudár rezultadu husi luta naruk no kompleksu: lideransa FRETILIN, rezisténsia armada FALINTIL, rede klandestina, diplomasia internasionál, solidariedade global — inklui East Timor Action Network — no mudansa jeopolítika iha rejiaun, Indonézia no mundu. Solidariedade internasionál hametin luta, Timor-Leste ida husi istória susesu luta koletivu iha Mundu.

Iha nível estratéjiku, kontribuisaun John Miller no ETAN envolve advokasia polítika, kampaña iha  nivel komunidade no interasaun ho instituisaun polítika, hodi ajuda influensia diskusaun no desizaun iha governu EUA no arena internasionál. Nia servisu hatudu katak solidariedade internasionál bele sai forsa transformadora bainhira organiza ho evidénsia, estratéjia, disiplina no persisténsia.

Povu Timor-Leste nian diretu ba autodeterminasaun nudár parte husi prinsípiu universál iha Nasoins Unidas, no John Miller ho ativista solidariedade Internasional sira seluk ajuda lori prinsipiu ne’e sai realidade polítika iha arena global.

Depois independénsia, ETAN kontinua akompaña Timor-Leste iha asuntu hanesan justisa, responsabilizasaun, direitu umanu no dezenvolvimentu demokrátiku inklui luta ba Fronteira Maritima entre Austrália no Timor-Leste ne’ebé povu Timor-Leste manán tinan ona — hatudu katak solidariedade la’ós momentu ida, maibé prosesu naruk. John no ETAN kontinua atu halo advokasia ba autodeterminasaun ba Papua Oeste.

Maun John ninian kontribuisaun hetan rekoñesimentu husi estadu Timor-Leste liu husi onra nasionál. Maibé ninian legadu liu husi medalla hela iha rede solidariedade ne’ebé nia ajuda kria, iha ema sira ne’ebé nia inspira, no iha luta global ba direitu umanu.

Iha mundu ne’ebé sei enfrenta injustisa, memória maun John M. Miller sai orientasaun moral ida:

Ema sira ne’ebé iha liberdade atu ko’alia, iha responsabilidade atu halo asaun, liuliu bainhira nia governu apoiu asaun kontra povu nia direitu.

Ba povu Timor-Leste, Maun John la’ós de’it belun maibé parte husi istória luta ne’ebé la lakon.

Solidariedade la mate. Memória la lakon. Ita hotu tenke kontinua la’o iha dalan justisa.

As Lutas Continuam.

LH apresia intensaun Governu atu kansela projetu Pelican Paradise

  Tetum PDF   English PDF   This blog post in English 

La’o Hamutuk hato’o apresiasaun ba anúnsiu Governu Timor-Leste atu kansela projetu Pelican Paradise. Desizaun ida ne’e mosu iha kontestu ne’ebé projetu durante tinan barak la hatudu progresu ne’ebé proporsional ho eskala no promesa inisiál, iha tempu hanesan envolve preokupasaun kona-ba sustentabilidade, korrupsaun, violasaun komunidade nian direitu, transparénsia no risku fiskál.

La’o Hamutuk konsidera desizaun ida ne’e importante atu proteje interese Timor-Leste iha tempu naruk, mantén integridade institusionál no reforsa responsabilidade iha jestaun investimentu estranjeiru. Ami enkoraja Governu atu kontinua reforsa prevensaun rigorozu hodi proteje Timor-Leste husi risku estruturál relevante.

Hafoin projetu ida ne’e hahú iha tinan 2009, iha sinál barak ne’ebé hatudu problema sira, maibé proponente no Governu ignora. Iha Setembru 2009, projetu-na’in Edward Ong husi Singapura koko na’ok liu dolar biliaun ida husi Fundu Petrolíferu, uza kompañia ho naran “Asian Champ Investment”. Fulan neen tan, traballadór sira deskobre mate isin na’in sia (karik vítima husi Indonézia-nia okupasaun) iha fatin projetu. Maske nune’e, Ong iha planu atu loke kampu joga golf iha 2012. Iha 2014, autoridade ambientál informa LH katak Pelican Paradise kansela ona, maske sira hetan ona lisensa ambientál. Timor-Leste tenke aprende husi esperiénsia ida ne’e, no labele fiar investidór ka projetu sira ne’ebé iha indikadór ba mal-fé.

Projetu Pelican Paradise hahú dala ida tan iha tinan 2018, bainhira Governu aprova proposta Special Investment Agreement (SIA) ho valór maizumenus tokon $310. Iha tinan 2019, projetu ne’e aumenta ba maizumenus tokon $700 iha área Tasi-Tolu no Tibar ho ektare 558, ho objetivu atu dezenvolve kompleksu turístiku ho hotel fitun lima, kampu joga golf no infraestrutura seluk. Iha 2021, liu husi Rezolusaun Governu nian n.º 133/2021, Estadu Timor-Leste aprova projetu Pelican Paradise no proposta SIA, ne’ebé hatudu kontinuidade no responsabilidade institusionál iha relasaun ho investidór. Maibé durante tinan sira tuir mai, implementasaun projetu la hatudu progresu signifikante; sira kontinua mak halo renovasaun ba lisensa ambientál de’it. Relatóriu Auditoria 1/2024 husi Tribunal Rekursu identifika problema sira bainhira Estadu fó lisensa ba Pelican Paradise atu la selu ba aluga rai.

Iha tinan ikus 2023 sira investe ba setór edukasaun liu husi lansa eskola internasionál ida iha Dili, ho naran Pelican Grammar School ne’ebé hahú anó eskola iha Janeiru 2024. Iha 2025, empreza husu Estadu atu halo depózitu maizumenus tokon $180, ikus mai, iha 23 Marsu 2026 Governu anunsia intensaun atu kansela, enkuantu empreza kontestu no refere katak parte balun husi obrigasaun kontratual seidauk kumpre.

Esperiénsia Timor-Leste hatudu padraun repete repete iha kazu promesa ba investimentu balun ne’ebé levanta preokupasaun kona-ba boa-fé (onestidade), korrupsaun, viabilidade, transparénsia no kredibilidade. Ida ne’e, hatudu nesesidade atu reforsa sistema jestaun investimentu husi li’ur. Problema estruturál sira inklui due diligence la sufisiente, promesa boot maibé implementasaun limitadu, falta transparénsia kontratual no koordenasaun institusionál ne’ebé la efetivu.

Investimentu estranjeiru importante, maibé tenke asegura katak Timor-Leste kontinua iha sistema ne’ebé estavel, klaridade no responsabilidade. Projetu ne’ebé la klaru ka la sustentavel bele afeta konfiansa investidór ne’ebé sériu no aumenta risku disputa legál internasionál.

La’o Hamutuk rekomenda atu Timor-Leste kontinua reforsa jestaun públika investimentu liu husi verifikasaun rigorozu, prova kapasidade finanseiru independente no transparénsia kontratual. Estratéjia ida ne’e sei ajuda proteje rekursus públiku, hamenus risku no aumenta konfiansa ba investimentu sustentavel.

La’o Hamutuk sei kontinua apoia esforsu atu promove transparénsia, responsabilidade no prátika di’ak internasionál hodi asegura katak investimentu estranjeiru kontribui duni ba dezenvolvimentu sustentavel no benefísiu ba povu Timor-Leste.

LH appreciates Government’s intention to cancel the Pelican Paradise project

 English PDF   Tetum PDF    Blog ida-ne'e iha lian Tetum 

La’o Hamutuk appreciates the announcement by the Government of Timor-Leste to cancel the Pelican Paradise project. This decision comes in a context where the project has not progressed proportional to its initial scale and promise, while at the same time raising concerns about sustainability, corruption, violations of community rights, transparency and financial risk.

La'o Hamutuk considers this decision important to protect Timor-Leste's long-term interests, maintain institutional integrity and strengthen accountability in managing foreign investment. We encourage the Government to continue to strengthen rigorous prevention to protect Timor-Leste’s people and interests.

Since this project started in 2009, there were many problematic signs, but the proponent and the Government ignored them. In September 2009, the owner of the project, Singaporean Edward Ong, tried to scam more than a billion dollars from Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund, through a company called “Asian Champ Investment”. Six months later, workers discovered nine corpses (probably victims from Indonesia's occupation) at the project site. However, Ong planned to open a golf course by 2012. In 2014, the environmental authority informed La’o Hamutuk that the project was cancelled, although it already had received an environmental license. Timor-Leste should learn from this experience, and not trust investors or projects with indicators of bad faith.

Pelican Paradise restarted in 2018, when the Government approved a Special Investment Agreement (SIA) proposal of approximately $310 million. In 2019, the project increased to approximately $700 million in the areas of Tasi-Tolu and Tibar with an area of 558 hectares, with the aim of developing a tourist complex with a five star hotel, golf course and other infrastructure. In 2021, through Government Resolution 133/2021, the State of Timor-Leste approved the project and the SIA, showing continuing institutional responsibility to the investor. However, during the following years, project implementation did not show significant progress; they only continued to renew its environmental license. Audit Report 1/2024 by Timor-Leste’s Chamber of Accounts identified problems with rent exemptions granted to Pelican Paradise. 

Pelican Paradise invested in education by launching an international school in Dili, known as Pelican Grammar School, which opened in January 2024. In 2025, the company asked the State to deposit about $180 million. Finally, on 23 March 2026 the Government announced its intention to cancel the project, although the company rejects this, referring to parts of the contractual obligation not being fulfilled.

Timor-Leste's experience shows a recurrent pattern of promised investments that raise concerns about good faith, corruption, feasibility, transparency and credibility. This shows the need to strengthen the external investment management system. Structural problems include inadequate “due diligence,” great promises but limited implementation, lack of contract transparency, and ineffective institutional coordination.

Foreign investment is important, but we need to be certain that Timor-Leste continues to have a stable system, clarity and accountability. Unclear or unsustainable projects can affect the confidence of serious investors and increase the risk of international legal disputes.

La'o Hamutuk recommends that Timor-Leste continue to strengthen public investment management through strict verification, proof of independent financial capacity and contractual transparency. This strategy will help protect public resources, reduce risks and increase confidence in sustainable investments.

La'o Hamutuk will continue to support efforts to promote international transparency, accountability and good practice to ensure that foreign investment is contributing to sustainable development and benefits for the people of Timor-Leste.

Agresaun kriminál husi Estadus Unidus Amerika no Izraél kontra Iraun: Apelu De-eskalasaun, Respeitu ba Lei Internasionál no Preservasaun Estabilidade Global

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La’o Hamutuk manifesta preokupasaun profunda kona-ba intensifikasaun konflitu militár iha Médiu Oriente ne’ebé envolve Izraél, Estadus Unidus no Iraun. Evolusaun ida ne’e, tuir informasaun publika disponivel no análize normativu tuir lei internasionál, hamosu agravamentu situasaun seguransa rejionál no global, no impaktu umanitáriu no ekonómiku ne’ebé sériu. EUA nian atake ba Iraun nudár krime, violasaun kontra lei internasionál, viola karta ONU no kontra rasik Konstituisaun EUA.

Konflitu ida ne’e dala ida tan reprezenta violasaun ba orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba regra sira no ba integridade sistema seguransa koletivu tuir Karta Nasoins Unidas. Lei internasionál tenke aplika ho koerénsia, imparsialidade no konsisténsia ba parte hotu, independentemente husi aliansa polítika ka interese estratéjiku.

Timor-Leste, hanesan nasaun ne’ebé hetan benefísiu husi lei no solidariedade internasionál no sistema multilaterál iha ninian prosesu manán soberania no konstrui estadu, iha responsabilidade moral no istórika atu defende orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba lei, soberania iguál no rezolusaun pasífiku konflitu sira.

Obrigatoriedade Lei Internasionál no Limitasaun Uza Forsa

Tuir Artigu 2(4) Karta Nasoins Unidas, estadu sira iha obrigasaun atu la uza ameasa ka uza forsa kontra integridade territorial ka independénsia polítika Estadu rai seluk. Prinsípiu ida ne’e mak pilar fundamental ba estabilidade no seguransa internasionál.

Artigu 51 Karta Nasoins Unidas rekoñese direitu naturál autodefeza individual ka koletiva bainhira atake armadu akontese. Maibé, ezersísiu direitu ne’e tenke respeita estritamente prinsípiu nesesidade no proporsionalidade, no presiza iha fundamentasaun objetiva, prova sufisiente no transparénsia.

Artigu 8bis Estatutu Roma define krime Agresaun “the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations."

Interpretasaun ne’ebé ultrapasa limite jurídiku ne’ebé iha lei internasionál bele halo fraku sistema seguransa koletivu no hamosu presedente perigozu ba lejítimasaun uza forsa unilaterál.

Direitu Internasionál Umanitáriu no Protesaun Sivíl

Hanesan konsekuénsia atake ida ne’e, liu ema na’in 500 iha Iraun lakon ona sira nia moris, no ema balu iha Izraél, forsa militár EUA nian, no rai seluk iha rejiaun. Chega!

Parte hotu iha obrigasaun atu respeita Direitu Internasionál Umanitáriu, inklui:

• Distinsaun estrita entre alvu militár no populasaun sivíl no objetu sivíl;
  
  
• Respeitu rigorozu ba prinsípiu proporsionalidade;
  
  
• Adosaun medida preventiva ne’ebé efetiva hodi hamenus risku ba populasaun sivíl no infraestrutura esensiál.

Protesaun sivíl sira nudár obrigasaun ba seguransa no dignidade umana tenke tau iha sentru konsiderasaun polítika no militár. Violasaun norma sira ne’e bele hamosu irresponsabilidade internasionál no halo kredibilidade orden global.

Multilateralizmu no Responsabilidade Koletiva

Sistema Nasoins Unidas iha papél sentrál atu prevene agravamentu konflitu no promove solusaun diplomátiku. Fortalesimentu diplomasia multilaterál no respeitu ba Karta Nasoins Unidas mak fundamentu ba seguransa globál.

Enfrakezimentu sistema multilaterál bele hamosu inseguransa jurídika internasionál no aumenta risku konfrontasaun sistémiku entre poténsia sira. Nasaun ki’ik hanesan Timor-Leste depende maka’as liu ba orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba regra no ba protesaun soberania iguál.

La’o Hamutuk Rekomenda ba;

1. Parte hotu liu-liu EUA no Izraél atu imediatamente hapara operasaun militár no hamenus tensaun;
   
   
2. Atu retornu diálogu diplomátiku ho boa fé no mediadu husi mekanizmu multilaterál;
   
   
3. Atu respeita integralmente Karta Nasoins Unidas, Estatutu Roma no Direitu Internasionál Umanitáriu;
   
   
4. Ba Governu Timor-Leste atu reafirma ninian pozisaun prinsipál pro-pás no pro-lei internasionál, no prepara medida preventiva hodi proteje populasaun husi impaktu ekonómiku global.

Paz no seguransa global la bele konstrui liu husi intensifikasaun militár. Forsa la bele substitui lei. Orden internasionál ne’ebé bazeadu ba regra sira mak garantia fundamental ba estabilidade global no protesaun ba nasaun ki’ik.

La’o Hamutuk reafirma katak diplomasia, diálogu no justisa mak fundamentu ba solusaun sustentavel no preservasaun dignidade umana.