Dili, 11 April 2025 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’, delivered a keynote speech at the Municipal Seminar on “Human Rights and Social Inclusion”, held on 26 March 2025 at the Administration Hall of Ainaro Municipality.
Speaking on the theme “The Role of PDHJ in Protecting Human Rights for Vulnerable Groups”, the Ombudsman emphasized that in a democratic country like Timor-Leste, the core objective of all public policies—whether implemented by government or public entities—must be to ensure the welfare of the people. “People must be at the Centre of development,” he stated. “The PDHJ began its work based on the law approved by the National Parliament in 2004, with a mandate to monitor public policy and advocate for the protection of human rights.”
Referring to Article 27 of the Constitution, the Ombudsman highlighted the role of independent institutions in supervising the actions of public entities—such as the Government, the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL), and the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL)—to ensure that their policies and decisions prioritize the rights and dignity of all citizens. He also noted that constitutional provisions from Articles 16 to 61 guarantee citizens’ fundamental freedoms, including civil, political, economic, and social rights.
“It’s essential to understand and apply these constitutional principles, many of which are derived from international human rights instruments ratified by Timor-Leste,” he explained. “Article 6 of our Constitution also outlines the state’s obligation to uphold these objectives.”
During his visit to Ainaro, the Ombudsman engaged in discussions with two municipal secretaries, raising concerns about the development plans for local infrastructure.
“When we talk about road development, we must also talk about inclusion,” he said. “Roads are not just for cars and motorcycles; they are for people. Any development plan must ensure access for everyone—including the elderly, children, youth, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ individuals. Inclusion means no one is left behind.”
He also encouraged local leaders, especially village chiefs, to identify and understand the demographics within their communities—including people with disabilities, older adults, women, men, and children—in order to better inform inclusive development policies.
“If we truly believe in our words, we must reflect that in action. Let’s make sure no one is left behind. That’s the Timor-Leste we are building,” he concluded.
The seminar was organized by HAK Association, Plan International, the Association for the Blind of Timor-Leste (AHMDTL), and ARCOIRIS Timor-Leste. The event brought together community leaders, village chiefs, people with visual impairments, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss inclusive approaches to human rights.
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