NGO presents evidence of corruption in ministry

NGO presents evidence of corruption in ministry
East Timor News Digest 1 – January 1-31, 2007

NGO LABEH (Organizasaun Lalenok Ba Ema Hotu) officially presented a document to the Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice which indicates corruption in 5 ministries.

In presenting the document, Christopher Samson, Director of LABEH requested that the Office of the Provedor's open an investigation into the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Health, Planning and Finance, Justice, Labor and Community Reinsertion and the Timor Sea.

Samson appealed for the ministries to respect LABEH as an independent NGO and that it not be seen as an enemy. He said his organization obtained most of the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation on the practice of nepotism in the recruitment process of staff, the loss of equipment such as computers donated from various countries and the purchase of equipment. He said according to the investigation there exists mismanagement in others ministries.

Provedor Sebastiao Diaz welcomed the document and stated that people should not be scared to present their complaints as his office is here to protect and promote human rights and fight against corruption and promote good governance. The Office of the Provedor so far received 200 complaints. (STL)