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”.[1]
Article 12 (1) stipulates: “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.” Article 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.” Article 16 (2) prohibits discrimination based on religion.
The country’s Penal Code reflects these constitutional principles. For example, Article 124 includes in its list of crimes against, at subparagraph (h): “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”.[2]
Timor-Leste is the second most predominantly Catholic nation in Asia, after the Philippines. There is no official state religion, but the Catholic Church exercises autonomy over significant decisions relating, for example, to the establishment and running of schools and the provision of tax benefits. The Catholic Church runs some private schools, but most educational institutions are public. Religious instruction is optional, except in Catholic schools.[3]
In Timor-Leste, the existing legal framework recognizes only Catholic records for births, marriages, and deaths, creating systemic barriers for minority religious groups such as Muslims and Protestants.[4] In response to these disparities, the government initiated a reform process in May 2024 by introducing a draft law to update the Civil Registration Code. Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening, Paulo dos Remédios, convened consultations with representatives from Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, Hindu, and Buddhist communities to ensure broader inclusion. The proposed legislation aims to formally recognize non-Catholic traditions within the registration system.[5] During these discussions, Muslim representative Inácio Abdulah Soares voiced concerns over the exclusion of polygamous marriages and called for more comprehensive legal accommodations to guarantee equal treatment for all faiths.[6]
Funding disparities also persist, as Catholic dioceses receive direct government support, while other religious organizations must navigate a separate application process that often results in delays or denials.[7]
In September 2021, a newly established multi-religious organisation, the Asosiasaun Turizmu Relijiouzu Timor-Leste (ATR-TL), or Faith-based Tourism Association, signed a US$110,000 grant agreement with the government’s Civil Society Support Office to conduct a nationwide survey on faith-based tourism assets to guide and promote hospitality training for young people. The Office also provided a US$250,000 grant to the Muslim community to support their activities. Two Protestant churches also received funding totalling US$237,000.[8]
Incidents and developments
On 22 January 2024, Pope Francis met with President Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste to discuss the country’s growing Catholic population and ways to further strengthen ties between the Holy See and Timor-Leste. The papal audience was followed by discussions with the Secretariat of State which were not confined to religious issues, but also covered “the economic and social situation of the country and the problems caused in the region by climate change”.[9]
In September 2024, Pope Francis visited Timor-Leste. On September 10, the pontiff celebrated Mass at the Esplanade of Taci Tolu in Dili, drawing an estimated 600,000 attendees — nearly half of the country's 1.3 million population.[10] In his homily, Pope Francis urged Catholics to protect their natural resources and warned against ideological colonisation that seeks to change the country’s culture.[11]
However, the Pope’s visit was not without controversy. In anticipation of the large crowds who attended Mass in the capital city of Dili, the Timor-Leste government bulldozed many homes to make way for the gathering. The government claimed that they offered homeowners compensation for the demolition. Residents reported receiving minimal notice before their properties were bulldozed, despite long-standing occupancy. Moreover, while compensation was promised, many have yet to receive anything. Human rights observers raised concerns about potential violations of housing rights and the disproportionate impact on vulnerable, low-income communities.[12]
In April 2024, following the visit of an Indonesian Muslim leader to Timor-Leste, it was reported that representatives of the country’s small Muslim community appealed to Indonesian Islamic organisations not to “abandon Timor-Leste” but to treat it as a “younger sibling of the older brother Indonesia.”[13] They called for the deployment of imams and teachers to support Islamic education and infrastructure, underscoring the limited institutional support available locally and the community’s dependence on external assistance to sustain its religious life.[14]
Prospects for freedom of religion
Although a few controversies emerged during the reporting period, religious freedom in Timor-Leste continues to be broadly respected. No significant changes are expected in the near future that would alter this overall positive outlook.
Sources
East Timor (Timor-Leste)