Ezequiel Freitas – The Timor-Leste Parliamentary Women's Group (GMPTL) intends to propose legislation to regulate pornography in the country.
GMPTL member MP Brigida Correia said the group held consultations with representatives from other nations about the implementation of similar legislation in their countries.
"We went to Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to research and collect information about pornography legislation," said MP Correia, at the National Parliament, in Dili.
She said she feels encouraged because in the countries visited the implementation of pornography legislation has been successful. "Our legal adviser is preparing the draft legislation for our consideration," said the MP.
She added the draft legislation will be debated in parliament in 2014 to find out what the advantages and disadvantages are to the country if such legislation is passed and implemented.
"We cannot copy 100 per cent what other nations are doing. We have to be analytical and take into account various opinions."
She believes such legislation is important to regulate pornography in Timor-Leste. "We, Commission F, will analyse it in the first instance but it then also needs to go to Commission A and to the Council of Ministers for approval."
Meanwhile MP Arao Noe said it will be difficult to regulate online pornography. "What we need is to change mentalities and families need to morally educate their own. Parents need to educate their children," said MP Noe.
He added the National Parliament can create 10 different laws and still not able to control the actions of immoral people. He added that the Internet, especially sites like Facebook, are private, but if they invade other people's privacy this is a crime.
The Executive Director of the Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) NGO, Jose Luis Oliveira Sampaio, said the country lacks a specific law on pornography.
"However we have a piece of legislation entitled Dewasa, Article 183 which states that even if someone knows about someone else's private sexual life, he or she cannot divulge such information freely. This is punishable with one year in prison or a fine," said Director Sampaio.
He added it is a public crime that can be investigated by the police. "The State should think about introducing pornography legislation so pornographic content can be regulated," said also Director Sampaio. "Otherwise people just do whatever they want at great cost to someone else's dignity."