Geneva, 2 April 2026 – At the request of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”, a meeting was held with the Secretary of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), João Nataf, to discuss issues related to the prevention of torture and the process of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
The discussion focused on the requirements and practical steps toward OPCAT ratification, particularly the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Different institutional modalities were explored, including the creation of a new independent body or the designation of an existing institution, such as the Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ), as the NPM. The Ombudsman also updated the SPT on ongoing national-level discussions and institutional reflections, including engagements with Parliament and Government stakeholders on the ratification process.
SPT Secretary João Nataf emphasized that OPCAT ratification represents a significant step in strengthening the protection of persons deprived of liberty, noting that while Timor-Leste has already ratified the Convention against Torture, OPCAT would add an important preventive dimension. He underscored that the establishment of an NPM requires a high degree of functional independence, adequate resources, and a clearly defined mandate focused on preventive visits rather than complaint handling. He further noted that an NPM may be embedded within an existing institution, such as an ombudsman office, provided that sufficient guarantees of autonomy, staffing independence, and dedicated budget allocation are ensured.
Both sides acknowledged that the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture stands ready to provide technical guidance and support to Timor-Leste throughout the ratification and implementation process. The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that OPCAT represents a qualitative step forward in strengthening human rights protection, particularly for persons deprived of liberty, through a preventive system built on regular monitoring and institutional safeguards.
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