This is JSMP

JSMP was established in April 2001 to monitor the processes of the Ad Hoc Human Rights Tribunal in Indonesia and the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in Timor Leste. JSMP very quickly extended court monitoring and judicial system analysis to include the operations of Timor Leste’s District Courts. JSMP also undertakes legislative analysis.

JSMP undertakes extensive outreach work in Dili and through out Timor Leste. Initially the aim was to inform East Timorese people of the decisions of the Ad Hoc Tribunal and Special Panels for Serious Crimes. JSMP’s outreach work has expanded to include human rights training, training of judicial officials and district workshops explaining judicial processes and civil and political rights.

In 2004 JSMP created the Women’s Justice Unit to focus on cases involving women victims of domestic violence as a result of researching the situation of women in the formal justice sector. In 2005 JSMP has established a Victim’s Support Service, a legal referral and legal aid service for women.

The vision of JSMP is to be the foremost independent organisation in Timor Leste that contributes to the development and improvement of the justice and legislative system through objective monitoring, analysis, advocacy and training in order to:

  • Support and advance the rule of law and human rights
  • Advance the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession and the administration of justice in full compliance with standards of international law
  • Promote the adoption and implementation of international human rights standards and other legal rules and principles that advance human rights and the rule of law
  • Promote the establishment and enforcement of a legal system which protects individuals and groups against violations of their human rights
  • Promote understanding of and compliance with the rule of law and human rights and provide assistance to those to whom the rule of law and human rights are denied
  • Promote equality and the right of everyone to receive equal and fair access to justice and treatment under the law.