The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will give more than $13.15 million to the Ministry of Justice to better facilitate programs in the judicial sector. 
Vice Minister of Justice Ivo Valente said as a development partner of Timor-Leste in the justice sector, UNDP had plans to support the work of the justice sector generally.
He said UNDP would give the support over five years, starting with $4.03 million in 2014, $3.16 million in 2015, $2.35 million in 2016, $1.84 million in 2017 and finally $1.76 million in 2018.
“But the UNDP support is decreasing year after year until 2018, which means the UNDP will give support but we ourselves will finance our justice sector,” said Valente in Colmera, Dili.
He said a lot of the budget would be sent to the Secretary of State for Land and Property, as it was necessary and this would directly impact the community.
“Conflict and fighting over land has happened lately and this is a crime, therefore this support can go to land and property to work out how to develop better mediation,” said Valente.
Besides this, he said some would be used to reinforce the work of public defence lawyers taking action to mediate in land disputes between people.
“We will also support the judicial investigation centre, since when it’s strong and has a good capacity, Timorese will also be qualified,” he said
On the other hand, Member of Commission A (for justice, administration and local power) MP Arao Noe said UNDP, as a development partner, had given a big contribution to the nation.
“We are grateful for their support, as they also want to get involved in the development of the justice sector, this support is very positive,” MP Noe said.
Therefore he asked the relevant ministries to use the funding for the interests of the people.
