Dili, June 6, 2026 (Media Democracia) – From FONGTIL’s perspective, the criminalization of defamation and insult kills freedom of expression guaranteed in the RDTL Constitution. FONGTIL and all its members totally reject the Amendment to the Penal Code to Criminalize Defamation and Insult, which could directly affect Freedom of Expression guaranteed in Articles 40 and 41 of the RDTL Constitution.
According to FONGTIL Spokesperson, Elivania Correia, the criminalization of defamation and insult has already killed freedom of expression guaranteed in the RDTL Constitution.
“Regarding the criminalization of defamation and insult, it kills freedom of expression guaranteed in the RDTL Constitution. FONGTIL and all its members totally reject the Amendment to the Penal Code to Criminalize Defamation and Insult, which could directly affect Freedom of Expression guaranteed in Articles 40 and 41 of the RDTL Constitution. FONGTIL and all its members, after reading the Draft Addition to the Penal Code made by the National Parliament in articles such as: Article 187-A, Article 187-B, Article 187-C, Article 187-D, the addition of the articles mentioned above has already killed each individual’s Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees.” said FONGTIL Spokesperson Elivania Correia at the FONGTIL Hall, Caicoli (06/05/2026).
She affirmed that they ask the Government and National Parliament to keep matters of defamation and insult within the scope of the Civil Code.
“FONGTIL and all its members ask the National Parliament and the Government to maintain matters of defamation and insult within the scope of the Civil Code, which is binding in nature. FONGTIL considers that civil mechanisms are sufficient to protect the right to honor and reputation, while avoiding the risk of limiting Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press guaranteed in the RDTL Constitution.” said the Spokesperson.
On the other hand, according to FONGTIL Executive Director Inocensio de Jesus Xavier, he stated what should be said to the National Parliament and Government if today society has lost its morality.
“What should we think to give to the National Parliament and government if today our society has lost its morality. We must reflect and invest in good education, or else politics and education will not improve the bad behavior of young people. Who will fix it. Not by making people criminals who don’t exist in our country. With all due respect to Parliament, they don’t represent our Democratic Rule of Law. Our freedom wasn’t bought with bones and blood. We don’t yet have any legal provision to protect citizens. Before this, it had already happened. A reminder to the deputies in the National Parliament (8th Constitutional Government): this law appeared there when Mr. Manuel Carceres was Minister of Justice. We already opposed it, and the benches now in power opposed it too.” said FONGTIL Executive Director Inocensio de Jesus Xavier.
FONGTIL, together with its NGO members and civil society organizations, issued a press release rejecting the law that criminalizes defamation. They consider the law a direct threat to Freedom of Expression and to the principles of Democracy in Timor-Leste, because it could limit public criticism and open space for intimidation against journalists and activists.
Reporting: Trainees Novita Soares and Baquita Marcal
Photo: Trainee Novita Soares