Free
72
/ 100
| Political Rights | 33 / 40 |
| Civil Liberties | 39 / 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
72 / 100 Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60. See the methodology.
Timor-Leste has held competitive elections and undergone peaceful transfers of power since gaining independence in 2002, but its democratic institutions remain fragile, and disputes among leaders from the independence struggle dominate political affairs. Due process is undermined by serious capacity deficits.
- In April and again in October, the government added six-month extensions to a temporary ban on all martial-arts groups (MAGs) that it had first introduced in November 2023, in response to violence linked to some of the groups. Martial arts are widely practiced in the country, but in addition to their cultural, social, and sporting elements, MAGs have been tied in the past to criminal activity, partisan political mobilization or intimidation, and episodes of communal conflict. The government maintained that the purpose of the ban was to reduce violence, and that martial arts would be more heavily regulated once the ban was lifted.
- Also in April, Parliament approved a legal change that would allow it to appoint or dismiss the head of the Anti-Corruption Commission with an absolute majority vote, removing an additional requirement that at least three-quarters of all legislators be present. Opposition members objected to the amendment, arguing that it was hastily adopted and would weaken the rule of law. A new commissioner was appointed to a four-year term under the revised law in June, with the main opposition party declining to participate.
- Pope Francis visited Timor-Leste in September, and during the government’s preparations for the event, officials evicted residents living without authorization on public land near the capital; they were offered financial compensation but reportedly criticized the amount as insufficient. A journalist covering evictions of street vendors in Dili that month was briefly detained, and police seized the camera of another. President José Ramos-Horta later issued a statement opposing any interference with journalists’ work.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see last year’s full report.
A1 0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 4 / 4 |
A2 0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 4 / 4 |
A3 0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 3 / 4 |
B1 0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 4 / 4 |
B2 0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 4 / 4 |
B3 0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 3 / 4 |
B4 0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 3 / 4 |
C1 0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 4 / 4 |
C2 0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 2 / 4 |
C3 0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 2 / 4 |
D1 0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 3 / 4 |
D2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 3 / 4 |
D3 0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 4 / 4 |
D4 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 4 / 4 |
E1 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 3 / 4 |
E2 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 3 / 4 |
E3 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 2 / 4 |
F1 0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 2 / 4 |
F2 0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 1 / 4 |
F3 0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 3 / 4 |
F4 0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 2 / 4 |
G1 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 3 / 4 |
G2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 2 / 4 |
G3 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 2 / 4 |
G4 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 2 / 4 |
