“We must design a judicial system that is truly adapted to the circumstances, society and communities of East Timor, choosing to implement a model that serves our nation rather than simply replicating a foreign one, such as the Portuguese system, with its various institutions, such as the Superior Councils,” said José Ramos-Horta.
“We must build a judicial system and its associated institutions to fit our real situation, drawing on examples from diverse societies,” he stressed.
The head of state was speaking at the opening of a seminar on the creation of the country’s Supreme Court, which he considered a “constitutional imperative that will strengthen the rule of law and complete the vision of justice enshrined” in the Timorese Constitution.
According to José Ramos-Horta, the creation of the Supreme Court of Justice should be a “catalyst for forging a true and relevant Timorese legal system, appropriate” to the country’s population and conditions.
“In addition, we need to consider how to effectively link our dispute resolution systems based on the sucos [series of villages] to the formal judicial system,” he said. For the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, this integration is “crucial” to bridge the “gaps between traditional justice mechanisms and formal legal processes.”
In his speech, the president emphasised that, in a democracy, the courts are “guardians of constitutional principles, standing above political divisions.”
The role of the judiciary is to interpret and apply the law fairly and consistently, supporting every political party and ideology equally,’ he said, considering that the judiciary should always uphold impartiality, competence and integrity.
The Constitution of East Timor provides for the creation of a Supreme Court of Justice, and to date, the Court of Appeal has fulfilled these functions.
“The creation of the Supreme Court should be part of a broader judicial reform agenda. This effort aims to address systemic challenges, improve access to justice and align East Timor’s judicial framework with international standards,” the president added.
Platform with Lusa
