Dili, June 10, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Haburas Human Rights Movement Center Holds Press Conference to Clearly State Position Against Defamation Criminalization Law Bill. The organization considers the bill contrary to international human rights standards, a threat to freedom of expression and press freedom, and that it could become an instrument to limit public oversight of state power in Timor-Leste.
According to Haburas Human Rights Movement Center Spokesperson Leonizia Pompeia da Costa Maria, they are concerned about the amendment to the law because the law contradicts the principles of a Democratic Rule of Law State.
“We are concerned about the amendment to this law because this law contradicts the principles of a democratic rule of law state. When we reflect back, the defamation criminalization bill was already initiated before, during the mandate of the VIII Constitutional Government. At that time, however, the proposal was seen to violate RDTL Constitution Articles 6, 40, and 41 and also contravene international convention Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It will kill civil society’s freedom to express criticism and will block the way for journalists, activists, students, and the public to voice opinions. This law proposal from the Ministry of Justice did not manage to reach the National Parliament for approval.” said the Spokesperson at HAK (09/06/2026).
The spokesperson also added that they call attention to the National Parliament to carefully review and consider the Defamation Criminalization Law from the amendment of this bill.
“Therefore, we, the Haburas Human Rights Movement Center, are concerned and call attention to the National Parliament to carefully review and weigh the Defamation Criminalization Law from the amendment of this bill. We see there is no need or merit to enact a defamation criminalization law and it can simply follow the existing Civil Code. This law criminalizes defamation, insult, offense against organizations and institutions, and forbids offending or speaking about people who have been dead for 50 years.” she affirmed.
On the other hand, Haburas Human Rights Movement Center Coordinator Armandina da Silva affirmed that this law is created only to protect politicians and economic elites, but not to serve the people, and the people have the right and duty to criticize political decisions.
“If Parliament continues with this law, it is a major betrayal of the people of this beloved land, because we know this beloved land’s constitution is also a constitution built from freedom of expression. If there had been no freedom of expression at that time, Timorese would not have struggled and in the end we would not have achieved self-determination. So if Parliament manages to continue advancing with this law, then they are committing betrayal against the people, and the people will stand up against the betrayal they commit against the people themselves. Do not create a law that only protects politicians and economic elites, but gather the people, and the people have the right and duty to criticize political decisions.” said the Coordinator.
Separately, according to Haburas Human Rights Movement Center member Joao de Jesus, this law was to be approved in 2020 but the people stood up to oppose it. We know the people truly did not agree, but after only a few years they are still approving and reviving this same law.
“Simply put, if parliament advances with this law we can say that those few sitting in parliament have no shame, because this law was to be approved in 2020 but the people stood up to oppose it. We know the people truly did not agree, but after only a few years they are still approving and reviving this same law again. From this we say that they have no shame. The people resisted and opposed it already, but they still continue with a law that gives no value to the people themselves.” he affirmed.
The Draft Amendment to the Defamation Criminalization Law to the Penal Code is an initiative from deputies in the National Parliament, thus the Haburas Human Rights Movement Center expresses its position on the Defamation Criminalization Law Bill.
Reporting: Trainees Novita and Baquita
Photo: Trainee Baquita