The Timorese Government will propose to President José Ramos-Horta the granting of pardons or the commutation of sentences for 37 individuals, including a former American priest convicted of child abuse. Minister of Justice Sérgio Hornay confirmed to Lusa today that the official list of names has already been forwarded to the Presidency of the Republic for consideration.
The minister specified that Richard Daschbach is indeed on the list but emphasized that the final decision remains the exclusive prerogative of the President.
East Timor’s President traditionally grants pardons and sentence reductions to mark the anniversary of the restoration of independence, celebrated annually on May 20. Richard Daschbach, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has resided in the country since 1996 and founded two children’s shelters in Topu Honis, located in the Oecusse enclave.
In December 2021, the 88-year-old former priest was sentenced to 12 years in prison for multiple crimes of child abuse committed within the territory.
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In addition to his conviction in East Timor, Daschbach also faces several outstanding charges of illicit sexual conduct in the United States.
The possibility of his inclusion in the pardon list sparked significant controversy within Timorese civil society last year, drawing sharp criticism from various international and local advocacy groups. Many activists argue that granting him clemency would undermine the justice system and the protection of vulnerable children across the nation.
Last year, several organizations formally appealed to President Ramos-Horta to exclude Daschbach from the list of pardons for numerous reasons, including the fact that he has never apologized to his victims.
Despite the public outcry and the severity of the crimes, his name has reappeared in the government’s proposal for the 2026 celebrations. The public now awaits the President’s final decision, which will be revealed during the independence day commemorations.
