Dili, 10 December 2024 – At a national seminar organized by the Universidade Católica Timor-Leste (UCT) to commemorate the 76th International Human Rights Day, the Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice underscored the State’s responsibility to uphold and protect fundamental rights. He highlighted the importance of aligning public policies with constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 16 to 61, to ensure economic, social, and cultural rights are fulfilled. Addressing issues like food security, the Deputy Ombudsman stressed that developing key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and the economy is essential to secure livelihoods and uphold citizens’ rights.
Reflecting on governance challenges, he pointed to systemic issues such as poor policy execution, corruption, and abuse of power, which have left many needs unmet in housing, education, and healthcare. These shortcomings, he explained, directly undermine citizens’ rights. The Deputy Ombudsman emphasized PDHJ’s critical role in supervising public policies, advocating for better governance practices, and collaborating with NGOs to address these issues. “Our right is our future. If we don’t start now, five years from now, we’ll still be discussing the same issues without a solution,” he said, urging immediate action to prioritize human rights in governance.
In his address to university students, the Deputy Ombudsman called for active engagement in shaping the nation’s future. He highlighted the limited public awareness of PDHJ’s role, with only 33% of citizens recognizing its importance after two decades. Using examples like the dismissal of contracted teachers, he called for decisions that align with human rights principles. He concluded with a call for collective vigilance and cooperation, emphasizing that protecting fundamental rights requires a sustained and unified effort.
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