07 February 2012

Proposed land ownership law is fair and just, says CNRT

East Timor Legal News 06 February 2012 Source: Independente - The proposed land ownership law currently being debated in the National Parliament will bring social justice without infringing anybody’s rights, CNRT MP Aderito Hugo da Costa said.

The law included a special system for identifying land ownership by individuals, groups or association, he said.

Under the proposed law, an individual could be recognised as the owner of a parcel of land even if they weren’t currently using it, CNRT spokesperson said.

Many land disputes have arisen in Timor-Leste because during the Indonesian occupation some people occupied land belonging to others, and some of these lands have since been sold.

Mr. da Costa said the proposed law would resolve these land disputes by indentifying the rightful owners.