A draft law on amnesties and pardons has been submitted to East Timor's Parliament. Under the Constitution of East Timor the Parliament has the power to make laws relating to amnesties. However, there are doubts as to whether the current draft law is consistent with the Parliament's duty to guarantee and promote fundamental rights and duties of citizens based on the rule of law.

JSMP has prepared an explanatory paper for Members of Parliament to illustrate some of the practical consequences that may follow should the draft law be enacted. The draft law is currently being considered by the Parliamentary Commission on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Liberties and Guarantees. A copy of JSMP's preliminary comments on the draft law (in English, Bahasa Indonesia and Tetun) is available at http://www.jsmp.minihub.org/Resources.htm under the drafts section.

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For more information go to http://www.jsmp.minihub.org, or send an e-mail to nfo@jsmp.minihub.org

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