Rights during trial - remain silent

Timor-Leste

Código do Processo Penal de Timor-Leste

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE

PART I
ON THE GENERAL PART

TITLE III
ON PROCEDURAL PARTICIPANTS

CHAPTER VI
ON SUSPECTS, DEFENDANTS AND CONVICTS

Article 60
Rights of the defendant

In addition to other rights enshrined in the law, the defendant enjoys the following rights :

(c) to freely decide to make or not to make statements and to do it, even at his or her own request, at any stage of the investigation or of the trial hearing, except as provided in paragraph 61(a) ;

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE

PART I
ON THE GENERAL PART

TITLE III
ON PROCEDURAL PARTICIPANTS

CHAPTER VI
ON SUSPECTS, DEFENDANTS AND CONVICTS

Article 62
General rules for questioning

4. The defendant is subsequently informed, in a clear and precise fashion, of the acts being imputed to him or her and, where this might not impact negatively the investigation, of the evidence against him or her ; questioning shall then be conducted, should the defendant wish to make any statements, the latter being advised that silence shall not be detrimental to him or her.

Rome Statute

Article 67 Rights of the accused

1. In the determination of any charge, the accused shall be entitled to a public hearing, having regard to the provisions of this Statute, to a fair hearing conducted impartially, and to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:

(g) Not to be compelled to testify or to confess guilt and to remain silent, without such silence being a consideration in the determination of guilt or innocence;