Justice Minister Rita Alarcan Giudice said this Friday that the Timorese are “welcome to Portugal” and added that the clashes in Fatima are treated as “any incident that can happen”, regardless of nationality.
The minister, during a visit to Dili, was asked by journalists from Timor-Leste whether the new immigration law passed by Portugal was in any way linked to the Fatima incidents between groups of Timorese, assuring that this was not the case and explaining that it was planned change.
“The change in immigration laws is not related to clashes with the Timorese. This is a situation that has been prepared and planned because the government has always stated that it wants to pursue a humanistic immigration policy in which it welcomes those who arrive. in Portugal and can provide the conditions for integration,” the Minister of Justice emphasized.
“There are no relations, Timorese are welcome in Portugal,” the minister repeated.
Rita Alarcao Judice, who arrived in Dili this Friday for a visit that ends on Sunday, spoke to reporters after meeting with Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta.
Dozens of young Timorese believed to belong to two martial arts groups took part in clashes in Fatima on Sunday that left one dead and four injured.
The incident coincided with the unveiling of Portugal’s new immigration law by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, leading East Timorese to wonder whether the new law was linked to the Fatima incidents.
“The situation will be investigated by the judicial police and will be considered in court, it will take its course, like any incident that happens to young people of any nationality,” explained the Minister of Justice.
Before the meeting with the head of state, the minister met with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.
Timor’s chief executive said in Tetum that sector reform was discussed during the meeting and recalled that this was the first visit to Timor-Leste by a member of the new Portuguese government.
“The Portuguese government was recently formed. The Minister of Justice came to show that Portugal has a strong commitment to Timor-Leste. Any need we have for cooperation will be quickly satisfied by Portugal. We talked mainly about judicial reform,” he said. – he said to Xanana Gusmão at the end of the meeting.
Timor’s prime minister said the signing of the agreement between the Portuguese and Timorese ministers was planned but did not happen “due to some unresolved issues.”
“The Minister of Justice of Timor-Leste, Sergio Hornai, will travel to Portugal to sign the agreement,” Xanana Gusmão emphasized.
The Justice Minister’s trip to Timor-Leste is also part of the Portugal, Camões and Communities Day celebrations, which will be celebrated in Dili on Saturday in Liquis.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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