Dili, 4–5 August 2025 – The Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) held a two-day orientation meeting at CNC Balide for its newly appointed Executive Director, National Directors, Department Chiefs, and Territorial Delegates.
The two-day orientation began with a guided tour of the Chega! Museum in Balide. The museum, housed in a former political prison, serves as a memorial and education centre documenting the human rights violations committed during Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence. The visit reminded participants of the country’s painful history, the resilience of its people, and the importance of PDHJ’s mandate to safeguard human rights and ensure such abuses never happen again.
Following the isit, the program continued with strategic orientation activities for the 16 members of the new leadership team. Ombudsman Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan” described the event as an opportunity to strengthen PDHJ’s institutional capacity, unify leadership perceptions, and continue its mission to protect citizens’ rights and improve public service delivery.
“We need to share the same perception and understanding so that together we can carry forward the mission and vision of PDHJ,” said the Ombudsman during his opening remarks.
“Whatever challenges we face, we must move forward with rationality and good communication,” he added.
Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights, Maria Marilia da Costa, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Directors must first know the institutional direction before leading others.” Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance, Rigoberto Monteiro, highlighted the need to harmonize perceptions across leadership, noting that differing opinions have previously made it difficult to move forward in unison. The orientation was described as a space for aligning perspectives and setting a clear path forward.
The two-day agenda included key presentations by PDHJ’s legal and technical experts. These covered the institution’s mandate, strategic framework (2024–2028), cooperation and partnership policies, media and information dissemination strategies, and the main pillars of PDHJ’s work: protection, supervision, prevention, promotion, and institutional development.
Special presentations were delivered by PDHJ Legal Officer Helena Madeira, Institutional Cooperation Specialist Olga Vilanova Sequeira, Media Specialist Antoninho Bernardino, and Planning and Programming Specialists Martinho Moniz and Eusebio Asis Belo. Each session was followed by open discussions and reflections with the Ombudsman, Deputies, and the newly appointed leadership.
This orientation marks a significant institutional milestone, ensuring that PDHJ’s leadership is equipped with the knowledge, vision, and shared values to deliver justice and uphold human rights across the country. It also reinforced PDHJ’s commitment to professionalism, public service, and constitutional integrity.
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