The 2027 State Budget: from expenditure to results, from dependency to economic sovereignty

 Liga ba artigu ida ne'e iha Tetum 

Each year, the Government of Timor-Leste prepares and submits the General State Budget (GSB) to the National Parliament, which discusses, alters if necessary and approves the budget law to guide public expenditure, intervene in the market and implement national development priorities. For the 2027 State Budget, this process is in the middle of the normal budget cycle, having done citizen consultation up to the Budget Day seminar; subsequent steps will be consolidation of sector proposals, approval by the Council of Ministers, technical revisions and submission to Parliament. At this stage, transparency and public participation, including the contribution of La'o Hamutuk, other civil society, the media and the general public, are essential to ensure that the annual budget and action plans represent the priorities and needs of the people and sustainability of the nation.

The GSB is not only a financial document to set state revenues and expenditure, but is a strategic tool to facilitate and guide the development direction, in the context of structural challenges such as dependence on the Petroleum Fund, high imports, limited economic productivity, high unemployment, child malnutrition (stunting), lack of quality of education, increased territorial inequality and climate change. Therefore, discussions about the GSB should not be limited to the amount of money or the execution rate but should also pay attention to the real results that budget policy can produce for people’s lives.

The theme of the 2027 Budget Day Workshop - Strengthening Resilience through transformation: Diversify the Economy, Ensure a Sustainable Future -- shows that the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, recognizes the need for changes in the budget preparation and implementation processes. This is most important because, for many years, budget debate has usually focused on the volume of expenditure and budget execution, rather than on the effective impact on economic productivity, people's well-being and the sustainability of public finances. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should show a change in the paradigm of a budget that is focused only on expenditure to a results-oriented budget.

The 2027 State Budget should be an opportunity to begin structural fiscal and economic transformation in Timor-Leste. The strategic question that needs to be discussed is "Will Timor-Leste continue to rely on the Petroleum Fund to sustain current expenditure or will it channel public resources to productive investment that can create jobs, strengthen human capital, increase national production and ensure benefits for future generations?" This question concerns the future of the national economic model, fiscal sovereignty and intergenerational responsibility.

The presentation by the Ministry of Finance in the budget process, including at the Budget Day seminar, shows some progress in the areas of health, infrastructure, electrification and institutional development. However, data also confirm that the national economy has not yet been transformed into economic sovereignty. The dependence on the Petroleum Fund continues to be high, imports continue to dominate national consumption, high unemployment, malnutrition and challenges in health and education continue, and the productive capacity of the country is not yet strong. This situation shows that the 2027 State Budget should start a journey in a new direction: from dependence to building capacity, from spending to production, from consumption of imports to economic sovereignty.

Therefore, budget priorities should pay attention to productive investment, economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, human capital strengthening and effective public participation. Since June 2025, Timor-Leste no longer receives petroleum revenues because production from the only active field (Bayu-Undan) is finished. The Petroleum Fund is a national asset; it can help Timor-Leste finance development over the years, but because this resource is unrenewable, its management must be based on accountability and intergenerational justice. Petroleum wealth should be converted into productive investments that can reduce dependence on oil and benefit future generations, not unsustainable levels of current expenditure.

The government and the public are worried about fiscal sustainability, which must not be resolved by cutting basic services for the people. The 2027 State Budget should prioritize efficiency in public spending, reducing non-productive expenditure and directing resources to health, education, nutrition, local production and job creation. The main objective is to use public resources responsibly and guarantee results that can benefit citizens over the long term. Therefore, the budget should be a tool not only to distribute money, but to make strategic investments to ensure the long-term needs and interests of all of our people.

Timor-Leste's economy continues to depend on imports and this increases vulnerability to global market changes caused by external shocks. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should strengthen economic sovereignty through investing in sustainable agriculture, fisheries, livestock, forestry, cooperatives, local companies processing agricultural products. National development cannot be based solely on consumption from abroad; productive capacity must be created within the country. We must develop the capacity to produce the basic needs that our population needs for daily life.

In the areas of health and education, some progress is worth appreciating, but malnutrition and quality of learning continue to be a major challenges. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should promote an integrated response among relevant ministries to strengthen nutrition, literacy, teacher training, clean water, sanitation and other basic services, especially outside Dili. Investment in human capital is key to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development, therefore, priority is not only to increase expenditure, but the quality of investment and lasting outcomes.

Youth is the most important strategic resource in Timor-Leste. Therefore, the 2027 State Budget should link education, technical training and productive jobs with agriculture, fisheries, tourism, digital technology and local businesses. Labor migration can benefit in the short term, but it cannot replace a national strategy to create opportunities within the country - it is necessary to invest in human capacity and develop strategic sectors to absorb human resources to build the development of the country's economy. If young people do not have skills and opportunities, the country will continue to lose the potential productive power to develop the country. Therefore, the budget should invest in capacity and competence to build a secure future.

Domestic revenue reform is also important to reduce dependence on the Petroleum Fund which will be empty in ten years, but fiscal reform must be based on social justice, transparency and protection of vulnerable people and households to ensure that fiscal pressure is no longer placed on poor people. A good tax system should expand the capacity of the state, but not increase inequality. From this point of view, revenue reform is not only viewed from the perspective of increasing revenue collection, but also for the fair distribution of accountability

Joining ASEAN and WTO and developing the blue economy should be accompanied by strengthening productive capacity, transparent governance and environmental protection. Timor-Leste should prepare itself to be a producer to replace imports and to export competitively, not just a market for imported products. This requires planning that connects the economic sector, infrastructure, education, innovation and environmental governance into an integrated strategy

In infrastructure, the priority is not only to build new projects, but to ensure the operation, maintenance, and usefulness of projects over the long term. Similarly, public debt management and public-private partnerships should be based on rigorous analysis, transparency and fiscal risk monitoring. A project that is not valuable to society cannot be considered a success, even if it is physically built. Infrastructure instruments should meet national needs and support long-term productivity. For example, contrast airports, container ports, and institutional buildings in Dili with rural roads, domestic maritime transport, and schools and health clinics in rural sucos.

The 2027 State Budget should also promote territorial justice through the allocation of resources in accordance with the needs and levels of municipal development. We appreciate the citizen consultation as well as the Government's efforts to decentralize, but need significant public participation, which will be valuable the Government publicly responds to the contribution of its citizens and integrates relevant priorities into the budget process. This process, not only administrative formality, should be a mechanism to strengthen transparency, and public consultation.

In order to prevent the capture of public resources by particular interests, the 2027 State Budget should strengthen public integrity, transparency and accountability. This requires transparent procurement, publication of contracts, independent audits, a serious environmental license process, value-for-money assessment and effective supervision by Parliament, the Court of Accounts, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the media, academics, civil society and the general public. Transparency is not an obstacle to the Government but rather a basis for strengthening public trust and ensuring that state money really serves the collective interests of the people of Timor-Leste.

Budget planning should be based on data and evidence. Data on health, education, poverty, employment and other indicators need to be current, accessible and available for public use. The Citizens’ Budget in Tetum can clearly increase fiscal literacy and promote informed public participation. Although some progress has been shown, we should continue to maintain, improve and promote all documents for Tetum. Well-informed citizens can responsibly monitor, criticize and contribute to the budget process.

The 2027 State Budget should prioritize strategic reforms, including strengthening public participation, leading to a budget with results for the people, promoting food sovereignty and local production, implementing revenue reforms and social justice, strengthening governance of public companies, transparently managing fiscal risks and ensuring sustainable investment in infrastructure and renewable energy. This priority is not only abstract but must be a real response to structural issues that keep Timor-Leste from building with justice and stability.

Therefore, the 2027 State Budget is an opportunity to change from a model that depends on the Petroleum Fund and large public spending to a model of development based on productivity, fiscal sustainability, social justice and national resilience. All of us, including leaders, should take and use this opportunity. The GSB should reflect investments in human capital, local production, environment, transparency and intergenerational justice, to ensure a sustainable future for Timor-Leste. If the 2027 State Budget guides this change, the budget rises from a mere government document to become a tool for national transformation.

We encourage readers to also read and obtain information from presentations in Tetum at official sessions on the topics discussed above:

• Presentations at the 2026 Development Partners Meeting
• Presentations at the Budget Day workshop
• Presentations at citizen consultations on the 2027 State Budget process

We are available to have discussions and improve publications whenever needed.

Thank you very much.

OJE 2027; husi despeza ba rezultadu, husi dependénsia ba soberania ekonómika

 Link to this article in English  

Kada tinan, Governu Timor-Leste prepara no submete Proposta Orsamentu Jerál Estadu (OJE) ba Parlamentu Nasionál, ne’ebé diskute, altera se nesesáriu no aprova sai lei orsamentál hodi orienta despeza públika, interven iha merkadu no implementa prioridade dezenvolvimentu nasionál. Ba OJE tinan 2027, prosesu ida ne’e tama ona iha faze klaran tuir síkulu orsamentál normál, ne’ebé la’o liu husi konsulta sidadaun, too iha semináriu Jornada Orsamentál, prosesu sira tuir mai mak sei iha konsolidasaun proposta sektorál sira, aprovasaun Konsellu Ministru, harmonizasaun téknika no submisaun finál ba Parlamentu. Iha etapa ida ne’e, transparénsia no partisipasaun públika, inklui kontribuisaun La’o Hamutuk, sosiedade sivíl seluk, média no públiku jerál, esensiál atu garante katak orsamentu no planu asaun anuál sira reprezenta duni prioridade, nesesidade povu nian no sustentabilidade ba nasaun.

OJE la’ós de’it dokumentu finanseiru atu determina reseita no despeza estadu, maibé nudár instrumentu estratéjiku ida atu fasilita no orienta diresaun dezenvolvimentu, iha kontestu dezafiu estruturál sira hanesan dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu, importasaun aas, produtividade ekonómika limitadu, dezempregu aas, malnutrisaun ba labarik sira (Stunting), kualidade edukasaun menus, dezigualdade territoriál aumenta tan no mudansa klimátika. Nune’e, diskusaun kona-ba OJE la bele limita de’it ba montante osan ka taxa ezekusaun maibé tenke fó atensaun mós ba rezultadu reál ne’ebé polítika orsamentál bele prodús ba povu nian moris.

Tema semináriu Jornada Orsamentál 2027 — Hametin Reziliénsia liu husi Transformasaun: Diversifika Ekonomia, Asegura Futuru Sustentável — hatudu katak Governu, liu-liu Ministériu Finansa rekoñese nesesidade atu iha mudansa ba prosesu prepara no implementa orsamentu. Ida ne’e importante liu tanba tinan barak liu ba, debate orsamentál dala barak foku liu ba volume despeza no ezekusaun orsamentál, duké ba impaktu efetivu iha produtividade ekonómika, povu nian moris di’ak no sustentabilidade finansa públika. Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke hatudu mudansa paradigma husi orsamentu ne’ebé orienta de’it ba gastu ba orsamentu ne’ebé orienta ba rezultadu.

OJE 2027 tenke sai oportunidade atu hahú transformasaun estruturál fiskál no ekonomia ba Timor-Leste. Pergunta estratéjika ne’ebé presiza diskute mak, Timor-Leste sei kontinua depende ba Fundu Petrolíferu hodi sustenta despeza korrente ka sei orienta rekursu públiku ba investimentu produtivu ne’ebé bele kria empregu, hametin kapitál umanu, aumenta produsaun nasionál no asegura benefísiu ba jerasaun sira tuir mai? Pergunta ida ne’e kona-ba futuru modelu ekonomia nasionál, soberania fiskál no responsabilidade interjerasionál.

Aprezentasaun husi Ministériu Finansa iha prosesu orsamentál inklui iha Jornada Orsamentál, hatudu progresu balun iha área saúde, infraestrutura, eletrifikasaun no dezenvolvimentu institusionál. Maibé, dadus sira mós konfirma katak ekonomia nasionál seidauk transforma ba iha soberania ekonómiku. Dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu kontinua aas, importasaun nafatin domina konsumu nasionál, dezempregu aas, malnutrisaun no dezafiu iha saúde no edukasaun kontinua eziste no kapasidade produtiva nasaun nian seidauk forte. Situasaun ida ne’e hatudu katak OJE 2027 tenke hahú viajen ba orientasaun foun: husi dependénsia ba kria kapasidade, husi gastu ba produsaun, husi konsumsaun importadu ba soberania ekonómika.

Tanba ne’e, prioridade orsamentál tenke fó atensaun ba investimentu produtivu, diversifikasaun ekonómika, sustentabilidade fiskál, fortalesimentu kapitál umanu no partisipasaun públika ne’ebé efetiva. Dezde fulan juñu 2025 Timor-Leste la simu ona reseita petrolíferu tanba produsaun iha kampu ativu úniku Bayu Undan taka ona, Fundu Petrolíferu hanesan patrimóniu nasionál, bele ajuda Timor-Leste finansia dezenvolvimentu durante tinan barak, maibé tanba rekursu ida ne’e la-renovavel, ninian jestaun tenke bazeia ba responsabilidade no justisa interjerasionál. Rikeza petrolífera tenke transforma ba investimentu produtivu ne’ebé bele hamenus dependénsia ba mina no fó benefísiu ba jerasaun sira tuir mai, la’ós ba despeza korrente ne’ebé la sustentável.

Governu no públiku preokupa sustentabilidade fiskál, ida ne’e labele justifika atu hamenus servisu báziku ba povu. OJE 2027 tenke fó prioridade ba efisiénsia iha uza osan públiku, redusaun despeza la produtiva no orientasaun rekursu ba saúde, edukasaun, nutrisaun, produsaun lokál no kria empregu. Objetivu prinsipál atu uza rekursu públiku ho responsabilidade no garante rezultadu ne’ebé bele benefisia sidadaun sira iha longu prazu. Nune’e, orsamentu tenke sai instrumentu ida ne’ebé la’ós de’it atu fahe osan, maibé atu halo investimentu estratéjiku hodi asegura povu tomak nian nesesidade no interese tempu naruk.

Timor-Leste nian ekonomia kontinua depende importasaun no ida ne’e aumenta vulnerabilidade ba mudansa merkadu globál (xoke esternu). Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke hametin soberania ekonómika liu husi investimentu ba agrikultura sustentavel, peska, setór mariña, pekuária, floresta, kooperativa, empreza lokál no indústria transformadór prosesamentu produtu agríkola oin-oin. Dezenvolvimentu nasionál la bele bazeia de’it ba konsumsaun husi li’ur; tenke kria kapasidade produtiva iha laran rai. Ita tenke dezenvolve kapasidade atu prodús nesesidade báziku ne’ebé populasaun presiza ba moris bain-bain.

Iha área saúde no edukasaun, rejistu progresu balun ne’ebé merese apresiasaun, maibé malnutrisaun no kualidade aprendizajen kontinua sai dezafiu boot. Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke promove resposta integrada entre ministériu relevante sira atu hametin nutrisaun, literasia, formasaun profesór, bee moos, saneamentu no servisu báziku sira seluk liu liu iha li’ur husi Dili. Investimentu iha kapitál umanu mak baze importante atu asegura dezenvolvimentu inkluzivu no sustentável, nune’e, prioridade la’ós de’it aumentu despeza, maibé ba kualidade investimentu no rezultadu ne’ebé permanente.

Juventude mak rekursu estratéjiku importante liu iha Timor-Leste. Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 tenke liga edukasaun, formasaun téknika no empregu produtivu ho agrikultura, peska, turizmu, teknolojia dijitál no empreza lokál. Migrasaun traballu bele fó benefísiu iha kurtu prazu, maibé la bele substitui estratéjia nasionál atu kria oportunidade iha rai laran – presiza investe ba kapasidade umanu no dezenvolve setór estratéjiku sira hodi absorve rekursu umanu hodi konstrui dezenvolvimentu ekonomia rai laran. Se joven sira la hetan abilidade no oportunidade, nasaun sei kontinua lakon poténsia forsa produtivu importante atu dezenvolve nasaun. Nune’e, orsamentu tenke investe iha kapasidade, kompeténsia no harii futuru ne’ebé seguru.

Reforma reseita doméstika mós importante atu hamenus dependénsia ba Fundu Petrolíferu ne’ebé sei hotu iha tinan sanulu, maibé reforma tributária tenke bazeia ba justisa sosiál, transparénsia no protesaun ba povu no uma kain vulneravel sira atu garante katak presaun fiskál la hatodan liu tan ba povu kiak sira. Sistema fiskál ne’ebé di’ak tenke haluan kapasidade estadu nian, maibé la bele aumenta dezigualdade. Husi ida ne’e, reforma reseita la haree de’it husi perspetiva aumenta kolesaun reseita, maibé mós ba distribui responsabilidade ho justisa.

Adezaun ba ASEAN, WTO no dezenvolvimentu ekonomia azúl tenke akompaña ho fortalesimentu kapasidade produtiva, governasaun transparente no protesaun ambientál. Timor-Leste tenke prepara an atu sai produtór hodi substitui importasaun no esportadór kompetitivu, la’ós merkadu ba produtu importadu de’it. Ne’e presiza planeamentu ne’ebé liga setór ekonomia, infraestrutura, edukasaun, inovasaun no governasaun ambientál iha estratéjia ida ne’ebé integradu.

Iha infraestrutura, prioridade la’ós de’it harii projetu foun, maibé asegura operasaun, manutensaun, utilidade husi projetu no sustentabilidade tempu naruk. Hanesan ne’e mós, jestaun dívida públika no parseria públiku privada tenke bazeia ba análize rigorozu, transparénsia no monitorizasaun risku fiskál. Projetu ne’ebé la iha valór di’ak ba sosiedade la bele konsidera hanesan susesu ida, mezmu se fizikamente harii ona. Instrumentu infrastrutura sira tenke responde ba nesesidade nasionál no suporta produtividade iha tempu naruk, Nudár ezemplu aeroportu no estrada rurál, portu konteiner no transporte maritima doméstika, edifísiu instituisaun iha Dili no eskola no klínika saúde iha suku rurál.

OJE 2027 mós tenke promove justisa territoriál liu husi alokasaun rekursu tuir nesesidade no nivel dezenvolvimentu munisípiu sira. Apresia konsulta sidadania no mós esforsu Governu nian ba desentralizasaun maibé presiza iha partisipasaun públika signifikativu, sei iha valór bainhira Governu publika resposta ba kontribuisaun sidadaun sira nian no integra prioridade relevante iha prosesu orsamentál. Prosesu ida ne’e, la’ós formalidade administrativu de’it maibé tenke sai mekanizmu ida atu hametin transparénsia, konsultasaun publika.

Hodi prevene kaptura interese partikulár iha alokasaun rekursu públiku, OJE 2027 tenke hametin integridade, transparénsia no responsabilidade publika. Ida ne’e presiza aprovizionamentu transparente, publikasaun kontratu sira, auditoria independente, prosesu lisensa ambientál sériu, avaliasaun valór husi osan no fiskalizasaun efetiva husi Parlamentu, Tribunal Konta, Komisaun Anti Korrupsaun, média, akadémiku, sosiedade sivíl no públiku jerál. Transparénsia la’ós obstákulu ba Governu maibé sai baze atu hametin konfiansa públika no asegura katak osan estadu serve duni interesse koletivu povu Timor-Leste.

Planeamentu orsamentál tenke bazeia ba dadus no evidénsia, dadus kona-ba saúde, edukasaun, pobreza, empregu no indikadór sira seluk presiza atualizadu, asesivel no bele uza husi públiku. Nune’e, Orsamentu Sidadaun iha Tetum ne’ebé klaru bele aumenta literasia fiskál no promove partisipasaun públika ne’ebé informadu, maske iha ona progresu balun hanesan hatudu iha; Iha ona, bele kontinua mantén, hadi’a liu tan no promove dokumentu hotu ba iha Tetum. Sidadaun ne’ebé hetan informasaun di’ak bele monitoriza, kritika no kontribui ho responsabilidade ba prosesu orsamentál.

OJE 2027 tenke fó prioridade ba reforma estratéjika, inklui fortaleza partisipasaun públika, orienta orsamentu ba rezultadu ba povu, promove soberania alimentár no produsaun lokál, implementa reforma reseita ho justisa sosiál, hametin governasaun empreza públika sira, jere risku fiskál ho transparénsia no asegura investimentu sustentável iha infraestrutura no enerjia renovavel. Prioridade ida ne’e la’ós abstrata de’it maibé tenke resposta reál ba asuntu estruturál sira ne’ebé impede Timor-Leste atu harii ho justisa no estabilidade.

Tanba ne’e, OJE 2027 mak oportunidade atu muda husi modelu ne’ebé depende ba Fundu Petrolíferu no despeza públika boot ba modelu dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé bazeia ba produtividade, sustentabilidade fiskál, justisa sosiál no reziliénsia nasionál. Ita hotu, inklui lider sira, tenke kaer no uza oportunidade ida ne’e. OJE tenke reflete investimentu iha kapitál umanu, produsaun lokál, ambiente, transparénsia no justisa interjerasionál, hodi garante futuru sustentável ba Timor-Leste. Se OJE 2027 bele orienta mudansa ida ne’e, mak orsamentu la bele sai de’it dokumentu governativu maibé bele sai instrumentu transformasaun nasionál. 

Ami enkoraja atu leitór sira mós bele lee no hetan informasaun sira husi ligasaun ofisiál ne’ebé aprezenta iha sesaun ofisiál sira kona-ba tópiku sira diskute iha leten, bele loke ligasaun sira no halo leitura;

• Aprezentasaun iha enkontru parseiru dezenvolvimentu 
• Aprezentasaun sira iha semináriu jornada orsamentál 
• Aprezentasaun sira kona-ba konsulta sidadaun no prosesu OJE 2027

Ami disponivel atu iha diskusaun no hadi'a publikasaun sira bainhira iha nesesidade.

Obrigadu barak.

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

 Liga ba blog ida-ne'e iha lian Tetum 

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!

  Liga ba blog ida-nee iha lian Tetum 

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.