Legal framework on freedom of religion and actual application
The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is modelled on that of Portugal. It guarantees freedom of conscience, religion and worship, and the separation of Church and State. The Preamble to the Constitution declares the State’s determination “to fight all forms of tyranny, oppression, social, cultural or religious domination and segregation, to defend national independence, to respect and guarantee human rights and the fundamental rights of the citizen”.
Section 12 (1) stipulates that the State “shall recognise and respect the different religious denominations, which are free in their organisation and in the exercise of their own activities, to take place in due observance of the Constitution and the law”. Section 12 (2) adds: “The state shall promote the cooperation with the different religious denominations that contribute to the well-being of the people of East Timor”. Section 16 (2) prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion.
The country’s penal code reflects these constitutional principles. For example, Article 124 describes as crimes against humanity actions such as “persecution, construed as deprivation of the exercise of fundamental rights contrary to international law against a group or a collective entity due to politics, race, nationality, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender or for any other reason universally recognized as unacceptable under international law”.
Timor-Leste is one of two Catholic majority countries in Asia, along with the Philippines. There is no official state religion, but the Catholic Church exercises significant autonomy throughout the country, such as in establishing and running its own schools. It also enjoys tax benefits. Most educational institutions are public, and religious instruction is optional, except in private Catholic schools.
Incidents and developments
Minority religious groups have reported some degree of religious intolerance when dealing with government offices, primarily when attempting to register marriage and birth certificates. Muslims have also reported instances of discrimination when applying for civil service jobs.
In September 2021, a newly established multi-religious organisation, the Asosiasaun Turizmu Relijiouzu Timor-Leste (ATR-TL), or Faith-based Tourism Association, signed an agreement with the government’s Civil Society Support Office for a grant worth US $110,000, for a nationwide survey into faith-based tourism and promoting hospitality and tour guide training for young people. Additionally, the Office granted US $250,000 to the Muslim community in support of their activities. Various Protestant churches have also received funding, totalling US $237,000.
On 19th April 2022, Dr José Ramos-Horta emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election, defeating incumbent Francisco Guterres. A well-respected statesman, Ramos-Horta previously served as Foreign Minister (2002–2006), Prime Minister (2006–2007), and President (2008–2012). Prior to Timor’s independence, Dr José Ramos-Horta and Roman Catholic Bishop Ximenes Belo were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 "for their work towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor", helping secure the country’s independence from Indonesian rule. The Holy See’s mission to Timor-Leste praised the “peaceful and democratic” electoral process that led to Ramos-Horta’s smooth accession to the presidency. It also expressed hope that relations between Timor-Leste and the Holy See would remain cordial and constructive.
The newly elected President pledged to maintain peace and democracy in Timor-Leste, underlying “his commitment to defend all sections of society, including sexual minorities, regardless of ideology and religion”.
On 12th May 2022, Timor-Leste became the first country in the world to formally adopt the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, jointly issued by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in February 2019. The document, also known as the Abu Dhabi Declaration, was issued in order to promote respect and peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians. President Ramos-Horta expressed his support for the National Parliament’s decision to incorporate the Document into the country’s educational curriculum in order to, as he put it, teach children about “religion, ethnicity, social class and political tolerance in society”.
Prospects for freedom of religion
There is generally a high degree of respect for religious freedom in Timor-Leste and nothing to suggest that this will see any significant changes in the foreseeable future.
East Timor (Timor-Leste)