PREAMBLE
Following the liberation of the Timorese People from colonisation and
illegal occupation of the Maubere Motherland by foreign powers, the
independence of East Timor, proclaimed on the 28th of November 1975
by Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN), is
recognised internationally on the 20th of May 2002.
The preparation and adoption of the Constitution of the Democratic
Republic of East Timor is the culmination of the secular resistance of the
Timorese People intensified following the invasion of the 7th of December 1975.
The struggle waged against the enemy, initially under the leadership of FRETILIN, gave way to more comprehensive forms of political participation,
particularly in the wake of the establishment of the National Council of the
Maubere Resistance (CNRT) in 1987 and the National Council of Timorese
Resistance (CNRT) in 1998.
The Resistance was divided into three fronts.
The armed front was carried out by the glorious Forças
Armadas de Libertação Nacional de Timor-Leste (FALINTIL) whose
historical undertaking is to be praised.
The action of the clandestine front, astutely unleashed in hostile
territory, involved the sacrifice of thousands of lives of women and men,
especially the youth, who fought with abnegation for freedom and
independence.
The diplomatic front, harmoniously carried out all over the world,
enabled the paving of the way for definitive liberation.
In its cultural and humane perspective, the Catholic Church in East
Timor has always been able to take on the suffering of all the People with
dignity, placing itself on their side in the defence of their most fundamental
rights.
Ultimately, the present Constitution represents a heart-felt tribute to
all martyrs of the Motherland.
Thus, the Members of the Constituent Assembly, in their capacity as
legitimate representatives of the People elected on the 30th of August 2001,
Based further on the results of the referendum of the 30th of August 1999 organised under the auspices of the United Nations which confirmed
the self-determined will for independence;
Fully conscious of the need to build a democratic and institutional
culture proper of a State based on the rule of law where respect for the
Constitution, for the laws and for democratically elected institutions
constitute its unquestionable foundation;
Interpreting the profound sentiments, the aspirations and the faith in
God of the People of East Timor;
Solemnly reaffirm their 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, to ensure the principle of the separation of powers in the organisation of the State, and to establish the essential rules
of multi-party democracy, with a view to building a just and prosperous nation
and developing a society of solidarity and fraternity.
The Constituent Assembly, meeting in plenary session on the
22nd of March 2002, approves and decrees the following Constitution
of the Democratic Republic of East Timor:
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