Portugal extends technical support to Timorese judiciary

As part of its effort to help Timor-Leste reduce the backlog of cases in the Prosecutor-General's Office and improve citizens' access to the justice system, the Government of Portugal has extended the services of eight legal clerks for one additional year. They are expected to arrive in the country in two weeks time.

The clerks, who will provide necessary international expertise, will be based in the Dili-based Courts and Prosecution Office, as well as in the three 'judicial districts' of the country – Baucau, Oecussi, and Suai.

At a signing ceremony to mark the one-year extension of the initiative, UNDP Country Director Akbar Usmani said the renewal of the programme is a reflection of Portugal's "strong partnership with UNDP in institutional capacity building of the key pillars of the Government, especially the judiciary."

Under its Justice System Programme, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has been working closely with the Council of Coordination of the Justice Sector to boost the national capacity of the Courts, Prosecution, Public Defender's Office, and the Ministry of Justice. The Programme is currently supported by Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, United States, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.