The Timorese Prime Minister considered it important today that society debated the possibility of criminalizing defamation, refusing to state his position on the proposal presented by the Ministry of Justice.
“Let the society discuss this. The Council of Ministers does not yet have this document, ”said Taur Matan Ruak, questioned by Lusa about whether he considers that the country needs to criminalize defamation.
Taur Matan Ruak reacted to the news advanced by Lusa that the Timorese Government wants to criminalize defamation and injuries in response to situations that offend honor, the good name and reputation of individuals and entities, in the media and social networks.
The proposal has already aroused criticism from various leaders and sectors of Timorese society.
“Criticism is welcome. I have not yet received any documents on this in my office. I hope that people will give their opinions, contribute what they can ”, said the Prime Minister, who was speaking at the end of a meeting with the Timorese President, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo.
In response to journalists on the same issue, and in Tetum, the Head of Government said that in this matter it is “important to distinguish two issues, between freedom of speech, and insults and disrespect for people”.
“Respect is important in democracy,” he said.
The proposed measures, introduced in a draft decree-law to amend the Penal Code, prepared by the Ministry of Justice and to which Lusa had access, provide for prison sentences for defamation and injuries, for the crime of offending the prestige of a person. collective or similar, and the crime of offending the memory of a deceased person.
“The Government considers it opportune to foresee and punish certain imputations of facts or judgments susceptible to offend them, introducing in the Penal Code the crimes of defamation and injuries, the crime of offending the prestige of a collective or equivalent person, and the crime of offending the memory of deceased person ”, according to the text.
