Timor-Leste’s Human Rights Ombudsman Delivers Keynote Address at 32nd Annual Human Rights Program in Timor-Leste

On Monday 12th August, the 32nd Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Training Program was opened in Dili, Timor-Leste. Held at the University of Timor-Leste, participants were warmly welcomed by the University’s Rector, Professor Joao Soares Martins, alongside Ana Paula Marçal, Executive Director, The Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) and Professor Armindo Maia, Director of the UNTL Human Rights Centre. This was followed by the keynote address from Timor’s Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgilio da Silva Guterres.

The program, held at the invitation of DTP’s Founder and Patron, President José Ramos-Horta has brought together 28 human rights defenders from 14 countries across the Asia Pacific region – from Fiji to Sri Lanka. The program builds knowledge and skills and solidarity networks.

Speaking from his experiences as both an activist and as the Ombudsman, Mr da Silva Guterres provided participants with a good overview of the current state of human rights in the country. He shared the successes the country has achieved with civil and political rights, as well the challenges faced with fulfilling economic, social and cultural rights, stressing the importance of defending the principles of human rights.

The 32nd Annual Program is held together with the Global Campus of Human Rights, in partnership with JSMP and the UNTL Human Rights Centre. The program runs for two weeks, closing on 23rd August.

The Diplomacy Training Program's 32nd Annual Human Rights and People's Diplomacy capacity building program receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.