A proposed law to check online crimes and misuse of social media in Timor-Leste has sparked concern that the government could exploit it to muzzle dissent and suppress free speech.
The bill drafted by the Ministry of Justice, among other things, aims to curb misuse of social media to criticize national leaders and the prevalence of inappropriate language online, the ministry said.
"We are working on it with the Prosecutor's Office and other relevant institutions," Minister of Justice Sergio Hornay told the national news agency Tatoli on March 5, 2025.
However, the bill has sparked criticism from civil society organizations, who say the proposed law focuses too much on protecting the reputation of leaders rather than addressing broader online threats.
"We acknowledge the need for a cybercrime law, but it should not be primarily about shielding national leaders from criticism," said Valentim da Costa Pinto, director of NGO Forum Timor-Leste, a coalition of non-government organizations.
Pinto said they were "concerned about public behavior online, but this can be addressed through better education on moral values."
He wanted the law to focus "on online bullying, harassment, hacking, fraud, identity theft, and the misuse of personal data, rather than restricting free speech."
The Timor-Leste Journalists Association also voiced concerns, warning that the law could be used to suppress media freedom.
"The cybercrime law should not be designed to protect leaders from criticism. If it happened that way, it could be a threat to press freedom and democracy," said association president Zevonia Vieira.
He said they have "already protested against the amendment of defamation law five years ago, and now again the similar intention emerged and wrapped it with the cybercrime law."
Two months ago, the Central Bank of Timor-Leste issued a public warning about rising online criminal activities, including illegal online loans, fraudulent investments, and unauthorized fund transfers.
The bank also released a list of 31 social media accounts linked to online scams in the country.
In 2024, rights watchdog Civicus Monitor upgraded the Catholic-majority nation's civic space rating from 'obstructed' to 'narrowed.' Civicus report noted the Timorese authorities generally respect fundamental freedoms, and an enabling environment exists for human rights defenders.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Timor-Leste 20th among 180 nations in the latest World Press Freedom Index.
No journalist has ever been jailed in connection with their work in the country, but the 2014 media law is a permanent threat hanging over journalists and encourages self-censorship, RSF noted.
Following a fact-finding mission in 2023, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) urged the government "to maintain democratic and human rights principles, including online expression," as it expands internet access.
The APHR also raised concerns that the previous government had attempted to reintroduce articles criminalizing defamation into Timor-Leste's Penal Code, and a draft Cybercrime Bill tabled in 2021 included vaguely worded provisions that could potentially be used to silence political dissent.
Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/timor-lestes-proposed-cyber-law-sparks-concerns/10809