Dili, 15 September 2024— On September 15, Virgílio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’, the Ombudsman for Human Rights, was a key speaker at a mini-audience commemorating the 25th anniversary of human rights violations in Lahane Ocidental. The event, themed “Passing on Memory to Youth: Overcoming Violent Mentality to Strengthen Peace,” marks the period from September 16, 1999, to September 16, 2024.
Organized by the Association of Victims 1974-1999, the HAK Association, and the Sentru ba Hametin Direitus Umanus Lahane Osidentál, the event received support from the Centro Nacional Chega I.P. The audience included victims, their families, and community members from Lahane Ocidental, reflecting the personal and communal impact of the past injustices.
The mini-hearing also featured prominent speakers such as Secretary of State for National Liberation Combatant Affairs Cesár dos Santos ‘Merak’, Hugo Fernandez, Executive Director of CNC, and Feliciano da Costa de Araújo, Director of Yayasan HAK.
In his address, Ombudsman Guterres highlighted the constitutional mandate that established the PDHJ (Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça) to protect human rights and promote good governance in Timor-Leste. He emphasized that the PDHJ’s creation is rooted in the spirit of reconciliation, aimed at preventing the recurrence of past inhumane acts through effective mechanisms.
Guterres underscored the importance of citizens’ right to accurate information about past human rights violations and expressed support for CNC and other state entities in their efforts to provide the truth to victims. He also advocated for the inclusion of a true history subject in schools to educate the younger generation on their nation’s factual history.
Regarding reconciliation, Guterres stressed the need to avoid creating new victims and to ensure that the rights of existing victims are respected. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging victims’ rights to accurate information, recognition, and basic rights, including formal apologies.
Additionally, the Ombudsman committed to supporting CNC in advocating for the ratification of international conventions that Timor-Leste has yet to adopt, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
The event reaffirmed a collective commitment to addressing past injustices and fostering a future of peace and reconciliation in Timor-Leste.
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