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Dili, August 18th, 2015
Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 18th, 2015
The Council of Ministers has met extraordinarily on Tuesday, August 18th, 2015, in its meeting room, at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved:
1. Government Resolution approving the Cooperation Protocol with the Republic of Cape Verde, for the area of Justice
This diploma approves the Cooperation Protocol for the area of Justice, signed between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Cape Verde, on June 23rd, in Dili, during the Meeting of the Ministers of Justice of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). The protocol aims to promote the reinforcement of bilateral cooperation in the area of Justice and strengthen national human resources in the sector, through training, transfer of knowledge and sharing of best practices.
2. Government Resolution approving the Cooperation Protocol with the Republic of Mozambique, for the area of Justice
This diploma approves the Cooperation Protocol on the area of Justice, signed between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Mozambique, on June 23rd, in Dili, during the Meeting of the Ministers of Justice from the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). This protocol, similar to the previous one, aims to promote the reinforcement of bilateral cooperation in the area of Justice and strengthen national human resources in the sector, through training, transfer of knowledge and sharing of best practices.
3. Government Resolution establishing the Legislative and Justice Sector Reform Committee
The Sixth Constitutional Government has committed in its Program, to perform a deep analysis of legislative reform. Accordingly, the Legislative Reform and Justice Sector Committee, has been established comprised of three permanent and three non-permanent members. It will undertake a mission to improve tools to safeguard the law and envision new tools to bring legislation closer to democratic ideals and to the citizens of Timor-Leste. One of its competences will be issuing relevant recommendations and preparing semi-annual reports, to assist the Government in legislative and Justice Sector reform. It is intended, by this measure, to promote good governance across the board, through a coherent legal framework relevant to the new dynamics the country is experiencing and integrated with global legal obligations.
4. Government Resolution attributing financial aid to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Taking into account the fundamental principles of solidarity and brotherhood among peoples expressed in the Constitution, the Government assigns financial support to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, amounting to one million American dollars, in order to help overcome human and material losses resulting from the heavy rainfall that recently affected the country.
5. Resolution Proposal, ratifying the Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Holy See
This agreement, signed in Dili, on August 14th, 2015, establishes a legal framework regulating the relations between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Holy See, recognizing the deep rootedness of the catholic religion in Timorese society and the principles of religious freedom and separation between the Church and the State.
This proposal shall be sent to the National Parliament which is the sovereign body authorised to ratify this type of agreement.
6. Government Resolution terminating Operation Hanita
After the outcome of the action from August 8th, 2015, the Government has decided to extinguish the joint operation established on March 2015. Resolution N.11/2015, from March 11th, established a joint operational comprised of defence forces and security forces, aimed at an effective and quick response to prevent serious acts of civil disturbance, carried out by organized groups.
In this meeting, the Council of Ministers also analysed:
1. Ideas for the Legislative Reform Plan
The Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, submitted to the Government proposals for concrete actions in the area of Justice in Timor-Leste, resulting from consultations with various institutions and civil society.
2. Municipal Administration Statute
The Minister of State, Coordinator for State Administration Affairs and Justice and Minister of State Administration, presented a draft Decree-Law on the Municipal Administration Statute to the Council of Ministers, which will be later formally submitted for approval. The presentation was to encourage comment and input, and to clarify doubts of Government members on an issue which transverses several Ministries.