Dili, 13 February 2002

NEW ZEALAND GOVERNOR-GENERAL ARRIVES FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

The Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Sylvia Cartwright, arrived in East Timor today for a two-day visit that includes meetings with senior Government, UNTAET and peacekeeping officials, as well as members of the New Zealand Battalion based in Covalima district.

Soon after her arrival the Governor-General met separately with Chief Minister Marí Alkatiri and Acting SRSG Dennis McNamara.

In her meeting with McNamara, the Governor-General stressed New Zealand’s continued support for East Timor, particularly in justice-related areas, and asked to be briefed on a wide range of military, political, gender and civil society issues.

The Governor-General is scheduled to stay tonight at the New Zealand Battalion Headquarters in Suai, Covalima. Tomorrow she will visit a border junction and preside over the inaugurations of a school and a medical clinic before returning to the capital.

HUMAN RIGHTS STRENGTHENED IN LATEST DRAFT CONSTITUTION

Provisions to strengthen human rights protections are among several significant changes to the latest draft of East Timor’s first Constitution, UN officials following the debate said today.

The newest draft was approved 9 February by the Constituent Assembly, four months after it began working on the text. It is currently being translated for public consultation.

Human rights-related changes include: removal of restrictions on East Timorese with acquired citizenship; extension of certain legal rights to foreigners as well as citizens; precedence of ratified international conventions, treaties and agreements over national laws; clearer rules on judging the constitutionality of legislation; and renaming of an independent national ombudsman the “Provider of Human Rights & Justice” and strengthening of the office’s powers.

The latest draft also allows police uninvited, night-time entry into private residences if there is a “serious threat to life or physical integrity” – a clause expected to aid victims of domestic violence, a major social issue in East Timor. Previously, uninvited night-time entry was strictly prohibited.

Other changes that were noted include additional procedures for the removal and replacement of the President of the Republic.

The Supreme Court can now remove the President for “clear violations of his or her constitutional obligations.” Previously, such a process was limited to criminal behaviour.

Upon the death, resignation or permanent disability of a President, Parliament has been given the power to elect a new President from among its members during “exceptional situations of war or protracted emergency” or if there is “an insurmountable difficulty of a technical or material nature … preventing the holding of an election.” Previously, a President could only be selected by a national election.

The draft also outlaws media monopolies, a revision recommended by the East Timor Journalists’ Association.

Later this month, Assembly members will divide into groups and embark on a nationwide hunt for public feedback on the draft Constitution. Any concerns or suggestions will be debated by the full Assembly before a final vote and signing ceremony on 16 March.