Dili, February 27, 2025 (Média Democracia) – JSMP strongly condemns the harsh attitude of the Deputies because it is a serious violation of the duties of Deputies based on the laws and regulations and a great insult to the dignity of the Timor-Leste National Parliament. The press conference was held on Wednesday.
In the Press Conference, JSMP Executive Director Ana Paula Marçal strongly condemned and deeply regretted the harsh attitude of the deputies, because this attitude constitutes a great insult to the dignity of the National Parliament and constitutes a serious violation of the duties of the deputies based on the Parliamentary Regiment.
The National Parliament as a sovereign body representing all citizens of Timor-Leste to exercise legislative power, physicalization and take political decisions based on article 92 of the Constitution. Therefore, every action, attitude or expression and political statement of the people’s representatives must ensure compliance with the Laws and Regulations to show respect and dignity of the National Parliament.
“Deputies must realize that the PN as a second state institution and the PN is not identical to the public state outside, not the same as a market or supermarket or public space that does not have a system and mechanism to control it. Therefore, JSMP strongly condemns all forms of violence and expressions or political statements that are offensive, insulting and use harsh words in the National Parliament of Timor-Leste.” Said Ms. Ana Paula Marçal, Executive Director of JSMP
In essence, Deputies carry out their duties based on the norms of the Constitution, statutory regulations, and applicable laws and regulations, and if there are any objections or contestation, they must be resolved through the applicable mechanisms based on statutory regulations, not through violent means.
Such rude and offensive attitudes show that the Deputies have violated their own Parliamentary Act, especially their duties which are clearly stated in the provisions in point 2 of article 10 of the National Parliament to sue each other, accuse each other, curse each other with cynical political movements, utter words and show offensive attitudes, insults in the National Parliament building of Timor-Leste. This does not show the quality as a sovereign member body that obtains legitimacy from the people and represents the people to make political decisions with national interests in order to resolve the problems of the people and the state.
“According to JSMP’s observation, this kind of attitude is not the first time it has happened, but has happened many times. Words that offensive and used by Deputies such as, “What do you want!, don’t try to fight me! Your brain is stupid, your brain is empty, who and what are you! What do you want!!” said the Executive Director of JSMP
Once again, this kind of attitude is very regrettable, because in reality, the Deputies who sit in the National Parliament utilize state facilities and resources, carrying out their duties based on the Parliament Regiment mandate to carry out exercises to find solutions to people’s problems, not to curse and offend each other.
This kind of attitude is unhealthy for the country and unfair to the people, it is very offensive to the conscience of the people and undermines the dignity of the National Parliament because as representatives of the people they must obey the duties stated in the law and create ethical norms based on the culture of the people of Timor-Leste.
Regarding the above matters of concern, JSMP recommends that the Timorese House of Representatives form an Ethics and Discipline Commission to reprimand members of the House of Representatives who do not carry out their duties in accordance with the House’s mandate.
JSMP also asks political parties that nominate candidates for their members or administrators to represent the people in the National Parliament to pay attention and until there is an ultimatum, they must be replaced with other political administrators who can truly show respect and dignity to the National Parliament and all the people.
Reported by : Domingas
Picture by : Media Officer of JSMP