DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT ____________________________ Law No. 7/2004 Of 26 May 2004 APPROVING THE STATUTE OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE Taking into account Section 27 of the Constitution, which provides for the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, as an independent organ in charge of examining and seeking to satisfy citizens’ complaints against public bodies, and also certifying the conformity of the acts with the law. The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice is also in charge of preventing injustices and initiating the entire process to remedy injustices with the competence to undertake, without power of decision, a review of specific cases and forward recommendations to the competent organs; Taking into account Section 150 of the Constitution, which provides for the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice to request a declaration of unconstitutionality of legislative measures; Further taking into account Section 151 of the Constitution, which provides for the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice to request the Supreme Court of Justice to review the unconstitutionality by omission of any legislative measures as deemed necessary to enable implementation of the Constitution; Emphasizing the need to promote and protect human rights and freedoms and guarantees, and also the need to establish an effective rule of law in Timor-Leste; Desiring to create and maintain an efficient public administration that is free from corruption and nepotism, and also to increase the community’s sense of confidence in a just administration; Further desiring to implement and promote a culture of efficiency, transparency, integrity, responsibility and accountability in Timor Leste’s public entities and agencies; Recalling Timor-Leste’s obligation to defend citizens from any abuse of power by public authorities, Further recalling Timor Leste’s obligation to observe and comply with customary international law and the highest standards of internationally recognized human rights and good governance, as laid down in international Human Rights instruments ratified by the Republic of Timor-Leste; Recalling the United Nations Principles Relating to the Status and Functions of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, also referred to as “the Paris Principles”, which provide for a broad mandate granted to independent national institutions; For the purpose of establishing the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice;