Council of Ministers’ meeting of February 14th, 2017
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Sixth Constitutional Government
.............................................................................................................................
Dili, February 14th, 2017
Press Release
Council of Ministers meeting of February 14th, 2017
The Council of Ministers met on Tuesday at the Government Palace in Dili, and approved an extraordinary grant to the members of the Election Administration bodies in Timor-Leste, proposed by the National Election Commission, taking into account Law no. 7/2016, of June 8th. This grant will be awarded throughout the election period, with the purpose of compensating the members of the National Election Commission, leaders, managers, staff, and agents of the public administration that perform functions in the election administration bodies due to the substantial increase in work that will result from organizing, administering and supervising the 2017 elections.
The Ministry of Social Solidarity submitted the Draft Law on Child Protection, which will regulate the promotion of children’s rights and the protection of children at risk and in danger, in order to ensure their well-being and healthy development. This draft law was adopted by the Council of Ministers. At its core, is the idea that the child is a responsibility of the family and of the community, and also of the local bodies dealing with matters involving children, of the protection network and of the child protection services network. The law is based on international and constitutional standards, principles and requirements, supplementing the existing legislation in the area of child protection. Judicial intervention can occur in situations in which the child is in danger, the people who have custody (parents or guardians) do not ensure protection and where there are no conditions for the operation of child protection services.
The Council of Ministers approved the cultural heritage legal regime, proposed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, through the Secretary of State for Arts and Culture. This text establishes the legal regime for the Timorese cultural heritage, as well as the methods of preservation, protection, defence and promotion, as provided for in the Constitution. Cultural heritage is a fundamental instrument for the defence and consolidation of national unity and identity. This Law creates the necessary conditions for the inventory, management, protection and development of fixed, movable and intangible cultural heritage of the country. ENDS
