Bali, Indonesia | 21โ23 March 2025 โ Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights, Maria Marรญlia da Costa, accompanied by Elsa do Rosario Viegas da Costa, Director of Public Assistance, participated in the Tuban Process Forum held in Bali, Indonesia. Representing the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), Maria Marรญlia was also among the invited panellists at the regional gathering, which brought together 15 Timorese participants from both Timor-Leste and Indonesia to foster inclusive dialogue on trust, reconciliation, and the right to return.
The three-day forum, supported by Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators (SEAWPM), served as a rare and safe space where voices from different sides of the 1999 conflictโincluding ex-resistance fighters, descendants of pro-autonomy groups, displaced persons, and civil societyโcame together to share stories, express grievances, and explore paths toward long-term peace. Discussions highlighted unresolved trauma, the lack of inclusive truth-telling, and the need for justice and dignity as central elements of reconciliation. Participants stressed that education and historical memory must play a role in bridging the divide between communities in Timor-Leste and those still living in displacement in Indonesiaโs NTT region.
In her intervention, Maria Marรญlia reaffirmed PDHJโs commitment to supporting initiatives rooted in human rights and reconciliation, emphasizing that true peace must be built on a foundation of shared humanity, dignity, and inclusiveness. The forum concluded with participants agreeing on a set of concrete stepsโincluding the drafting of a Tuban Statement, community-led reconciliation platforms, and policy coordination on repatriation and citizenshipโto ensure that the process of healing and reintegration continues beyond the event.
This post is also available in: Tetun