Call for Regular Meetings for Justice Sector Actors

On 30 January 2004 the Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP) held a workshop to discuss the findings of their latest reports “Dili District Court Report” and “Justice in the Districts”. The aim of the workshop was to provide a forum for discussion of issues of concern in the courts in East Timor and explore possible solutions to those problems. Many of the participants called for regular meeting to be held to discuss these issues and noted that for the success of such meetings it was essential that court actors and representatives of the Ministry of Justice attend.

The workshop, held at the Dom Bosco complex, was attended by judges and lawyers, representatives from UNMISET, a number of national NGOs who work in the legal sector, students from the law faculties and members of the general public.

JSMP agreed to continue efforts to invite all judges, prosecutors, public defenders, lawyers and officers of the Ministry of Justice to attend regular meetings about the justice sector in the coming months.

“ Discussions about the court system and problems which are faced by court actors are very important in order to allow judges, prosecutors, and lawyers together with administrative court staff and officials of the Ministry of Justice to try to find solutions to problems they are facing. This process is especially important to ensure that the newly established court system continues to develop as intended and in a manner consistent with society’s ideals,” said JSMP.

“ There are many problems currently faced by the courts in East Timor which must be resolved by discussions with court actors together with the Ministry of Justice,” continued JSMP.