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Parliament passes law limiting president's clemency powers

Source
Dili Weekly - May 11, 2016

Venidora Oliveira – Timor-Leste's National Parliament has approved a law limiting the power of the President to grant clemency to those convicted of corruption.

The Deputy President of Commission A (responsible for the constitution, justice, public administration, local authorities and anti-corruption), MP Arao Noe, said previously there had been no law defining how the President could use his clemency powers or who was eligible.

Under law no. 30/III/III those convicted of corruption, human trafficking and drug crimes will no longer be able to receive a presidential pardon.

Noe said such crimes against the State were not deserving of an amnesty and that those responsible must serve their full sentences regardless of good behavior.

"They should fulfill the sentence completely and it is not against their human rights," he said. He said it the new law would provide a legal basis for the head of state to determine who was eligible and exclude certain prisoners.

National MP Osorio Florindo agreed that the new law was necessary to act as a deterrent against corruption and other serious crimes. "It's a bad attitude and [the law] should be implemented in order that leaders are afraid to commit corruption," he said.

Meanwhile, Dili resident Caetano Carvalho said he appreciated the government's efforts to address corruption issues by introducing the new law.

He added that those who committed corruption were not deserving of any sentence remissions as they brought shame to the State, affected development and increased poverty.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/13716-parliament-passes-law-limiting-president-s-clemency-powers

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