The Prime Minister of East Timor, Xanana Gusmão, advocated for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the justice sector with Portugal during high-level meetings at the Supreme Court of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office.
The East Timorese leader is currently on a working visit to Portugal, where he met on Tuesday with the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, João Cura Mariano, and the Vice-Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Jorge Carvalho.
“The President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Portugal demonstrated a deep understanding of East Timor’s situation and promised to continue supporting the reform of the justice sector through advisory services, training, and the sharing of best judicial practices. Justice is the foundation of a nation’s peace, progress, and stability,” stated Xanana Gusmão, quoted in a press release issued today by his office.
The statement emphasized that “both parties highlighted the necessity of investing in the professional training and capacity-building of judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and judicial operators to raise the quality of judicial services and respond to the challenges facing East Timor’s justice sector.”
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Xanana Gusmão also underlined that the justice system must adapt to “local reality, as each country has its own specificities.”
“In some cases, judges face difficulties related to language and legal content, making training support and technical assistance from Portugal necessary,” the East Timorese Prime Minister said.
During the meeting with the Vice-Attorney General, according to the statement, “special attention” was given to the role of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, justice agents, lawyers, and the Public Defender’s Office.
“The parties agreed to strengthen communication and institutional cooperation, particularly in the areas of training for Public Prosecutor’s Office magistrates, criminal investigation, and the sharing of professional experiences,” the statement read.
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“The ongoing dialogue between the judicial institutions of East Timor and Portugal will help ensure that cooperation programs are effective and meet the actual needs of the Timorese justice system,” Xanana Gusmão stressed.
Upon taking office in 2023, the East Timorese Prime Minister established the Working Group for the Reform of the Justice Sector, viewing the sector as facing several systemic hurdles, including shortages and a lack of training in human resources, as well as the need to review existing legal frameworks.
