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Timor-Lest: IFJ condemns defamation charges against two journalists
International Federation of Jurists Statement - August 24, 2016
In a Initiates file download letter sent on 22 August, the IFJ urged the Prime Minister, Mr. Rui Aria de Araujo, to stop the defamation charges against Timor Post journalist, Raimundo Oki, and former editor of the newspaper, Laurenco Martina Vincente, and to set them free as a matter of urgency.
The defamation charges were related to a factual error in a report made by Oki on November 10, 2015, regarding a government's tendering process when the Prime Minister was an advisor to the Minister of Finance. The Timor Post printed Araujo's denial of any illegal activity on the front page of the November 17, 2015 issue. A clarification of Oki's report was also published on November 18.
Despite the newspapers due diligence, Araujo has persisted with the defamation charges. Since April 11, 2016 the case has sat in the State Prosecutor's office with a decision to lay criminal charges pending.
IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said, "The fact that in Timor-Leste criminal law allows the investigation and prosecution of journalists for inaccuracy or what is deemed unfair reporting is unacceptable in any democratic nation. Moreover, it is even more disappointing to note that Timor-Leste, a long-fought-for democracy, has these laws at all. Timor-Leste's democracy should be strong enough to permit a free and robust press. This case unfortunately highlights the on-going crack down on the country's media freedom and freedom of expression."
For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 16
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries
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