IFJ - TLJA appeal to all affiliates to stop criminal defamation in East Timor
On behalf of IFJ affiliate in East Timor, the Timor - Lorosa'e Journalists' Association (TLJA), the IFJ is calling on all affiliates to support TLJA in its campaign to stop criminal defamation in East Timor.
The IFJ is calling on all affiliates to send letters of protest to the President of East Timor, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao calling on him to exercise his constitutional powers and veto the penal code criminalising defamation in East Timor.
The IFJ became alarmed over the media situation in East Timor after Prime Minister Mari Altakiri signed an executive decree approving a penal code that criminalises defamation on December 6, 2005, which will enter into force on February 10, 2006 unless vetoed.
The new penal code contains several harsh sections that will have a detrimental impact on journalism in East Timor. Under Article 173, individuals will face three years' imprisonment for defaming public officials, and the code contains no limits on fines.
Moreover, Article 176 doubles the term of imprisonment, from one year to two, where the defamation was committed through the media. Where the defamation is both through the media and committed against individuals performing "public, religious or political duties," the term of imprisonment is increased to three years.
A template letter is available to download from the IFJ website at http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3697&Language=EN.
Download the letter and send to lusitania@presidente-tl.org before February 10.
Please send copies of all letters to ifj@ifj-asia.org and to tlja_timor@yahoo.com .
I call on all affiliates to support our colleagues in East Timor in their efforts to protect their fledgling rights to free speech, freedom of the press and democracy.
