DILI, 28 february 2023 (TATOLI) – The National Elections Commission (CNE) has organized a national symposium on strengthening democracy, peace, and stability.
“This symposium is necessary for political parties to strengthen democracy in Timor-Leste,” CNE President Jose Belo said in Dili, today.
Belo said that democracy does not come as a gift, saying that it was a gain through a long process, in which political parties play an important role and contribute to the growth of democracy in the country.
Belo said that Timor-Leste is the most democratic country in Southeast Asia, saying, therefore, political parties should contribute to strengthening democracy in Timor-Leste.
The keynote speakers of the Symposium, Avelino Coelho, Guilhermina Marçal, and Camilo Alves, agreed that political leaders should be elected to serve the country and the people.
The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, in his remarks at the symposium, said that Timor-Leste’s democracy was born in 2001: “Our democracy is not perfect, but it grows from strength to strength. We have freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and so on.”
Horta urged all political parties to contribute to stability and peace in the country before, during, and after the parliamentary elections.
The national symposium was attended by representatives of political parties, civil society, students, etc.
Timor-Leste was ranked as one of the most democratic countries in Southeast Asia, based on a consideration of the electoral process and pluralism, government functioning, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
