DILI, 26 May 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta has granted pardons to six Citizens as an act of humanitarian clemency and national unity.
Based on President of the Republic Decree No. 45/2025, signed by President Horta at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in Dili and published in the Jornal da República on May 26, 2025, the pardons were granted to:
- Honoria Pereira Lopes
- Norberto Barreto João
- Maria Goreti Abi
- Maria Scolastica Sona
- Julieta Godinho do Nascimento
- Armanda Jesus das Neves
Horta said: “The granting of these pardons reflects our nation’s commitment to justice tempered with mercy and our belief in the fundamental dignity of every citizen. While we must uphold the rule of law, we must also recognize that true justice sometimes requires acts of clemency that serve humanitarian purposes and promote social reintegration. These decisions strengthen the spirit of national unity that must guide us as we build a more prosperous future for all Timorese people.”
The decision reflects careful consideration of the personal, humanitarian, family, and social circumstances of each individual, as well as their potential for social reintegration. The presidential pardons constitute a political and humanitarian intervention in the administration of justice, allowing for individual acts of equity under constitutional law.
TATOLI
