DILI, 11 June 2026 (TATOLI) — President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta has pledged to veto any legislation that would reintroduce criminal defamation into Timor-Leste’s penal code, saying that such a move could undermine the country’s hard-earned democratic freedoms and press liberty.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday during a ceremony welcoming new workers of Tsuneishi Timor Shipbuilding Unipessoal, Lda. at Hotel Timor in Dili, Ramos-Horta urged National Parliament to focus on legislation that would support economic development and attract investment rather than restore criminal defamation law.
“Don’t waste time discussing a draft law to criminalize defamation. We are from Timor-Leste, a totally free country,” the President said.
His remarks came amid growing concern among media organizations, journalists, and civil society groups over the possible reintroduction of criminal defamation law, which was removed from the country’s Penal Code in 2014 following the adoption of a new Press Code aimed at strengthening freedom of expression and media independence.
The plan to restore criminal defamation laws has sparked public criticism, with journalists, rights advocates, and civil society leaders urging the National Parliament to prioritize legislation addressing the country’s economic and social challenges rather than revisiting laws that could restrict free speech.
Ramos-Horta, a longtime advocate of democracy and freedom of expression, said that in Timor-Leste, defamatory statements are not made only by ordinary citizens, stressing that politicians themselves frequently defame one another.
He recalled instances in which both Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and he himself had been targeted by defamatory remarks from lawmakers.
The president said that, unlike legislators who are protected by parliamentary immunity, journalists have no such protection, making them the most vulnerable to criminal defamation laws.
“If Parliament submits the proposed law criminalizing defamation to the Presidency for promulgation, I will carefully examine it,” Ramos-Horta said. “If the law seeks to criminalize defamation or restrict press freedom, I will not promulgate it.”
The president said that lawmakers should instead dedicate their efforts to drafting laws that improve the investment climate and facilitate economic growth.
“Let us make Timor-Leste a country with 100 percent press freedom,” he said. “Parliament should focus on laws that are truly necessary for the nation’s development.”
Ramos-Horta said that if lawmakers want to make defamation a crime, they should first look at their own behavior in Parliament, where political disputes often include accusations and personal attacks.
TATOLI
