PDHJ and Partners Continue Human Rights Training for F-FDTL Members in Gleno

Ermera, 14 September 2026 – A team of trainers comprising the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), the United Nations Human Rights Advisory Unit (UADU) in Timor-Leste, and the FALINTIL–Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) continued a training session on the role of the FALINTIL-FDTL and human rights for 25 F-FDTL members stationed at the Gleno Detachment, comprising one woman and 24 men.

The Second Commander of the 1st Battalion, Captain Gaspar da Silva, called on the members to participate fully in the training, noting that the training is important for increasing their knowledge and understanding of human rights, as well as their duties and responsibilities, particularly for military personnel performing operational functions that bring them into closer contact with communities.

“I hope that this training will provide us with an opportunity to learn new things and share new experiences with one another, so that we can strengthen our professional capacity. As members of the FALINTIL-FDTL, we have a responsibility to defend the nation, the people, and the sovereignty of Timor-Leste, always with respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of all people,” said the Second Commander of the 1st Battalion, Captain Gaspar da Silva, at the opening of the training at the FALINTIL-FDTL Camp in Gleno.

He added that discipline, responsibility, and respect for human rights can strengthen the FALINTIL-FDTL as a professional force serving the interests of the nation.

“For this reason, we are very grateful to the PDHJ for taking the time to come to Ermera to facilitate this training for our members, so that they can become professionals with the capacity to serve this nation,” he said.

At the opening session, Provedor for Human Rights and Justice Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan” also distributed materials on the role of the PDHJ to the participants. He explained that the existence of the PDHJ, like that of the FALINTIL-FDTL, is grounded in the Constitution and serves to protect sovereignty. Sovereignty, he explained, is not simply about land. Timor-Leste is sovereign because of its people, nation, culture, and identity.

“Therefore, FALINTIL exists as a defence force to protect sovereignty—a sovereignty created by the citizens who make this land sovereign. Therefore, there is a relationship between national defence and the protection of citizens’ rights,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Human Rights Adviser of UADU, Raja Azwa Petra, said that the military has an important responsibility to protect the nation, maintain security, and serve the people of Timor-Leste. With this responsibility also comes an important obligation to respect and protect human rights in all circumstances. Human rights are not separate from military service; they are an essential part of professional military service.

The objective of the training is not only to study international human rights standards as a theory. It is also an opportunity to learn and discuss how these standards can be applied in participants’ day-to-day professional responsibilities.

She encouraged all participants to ask questions, share their experiences, discuss practical challenges, and learn from one another. There may be situations in which applying human rights principles is not straightforward. Therefore, such discussions are particularly important.