Applying Traditional Methods to Achieve Restorative Justice In Timor-Leste

Source: (2004) Paper presented at “New Frontiers in Restorative Justice: Advancing Theory and Practice”, Centre for Justice and Peace Development, Massey University at Albany, New Zealand, 2-5 December.

This paper will present the findings of PDF’s research on Customary Dispute Resolution that has being used by our ancestors since last century and during Portugal colonialism time and 24 years of Indonesian occupation. We will show about comparison of the dispute resolution processes, people believe on customary dispute resolution process, cases resolve by customary dispute resolution, types of fines that the arbitrator imposed to restore justice, the participation of women and youth in the process and the discrimination that can happened during the process. Used traditional approach to reconcile the relationships between the conflict parties and their family.

Now, we are working with a network, of Timorese Conflict Resolution Professional and the appropriate government ministry and department to implement the combined ADR model used it to rebuild traditional mechanism and form the relationship with the court system. Abstract courtesy of the Centre for Justice and Peace Development, Massey University, http://justpeace.massey.ac.nz.