Dili, 25 August 2025 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”,served as a keynote speaker at the 33rd Annual Human Rights and People’s Diplomacy Training Program, which runs from 22 August to 6 September 2025 and includes participants from Timor-Leste and other countries. Guterres delivered his keynote at the UNTL Campus in Caicoli, Dili, on 25 August 2025. This marks the third time the event has been hosted in Timor-Leste.
In his address, Ombudsman Guterres welcomed all participants and reflected on the ongoing relevance of the fight for human rights, questioning why violations persist despite the presence of government and parliament leaders tasked with their protection. Citing philosopher Carlo Cipolla’s “The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity,” he warned against the dangers of collective silence, noting that “when everyone remains silent while wrongdoing occurs in plain sight, society allows harm to continue unchecked.” He also emphasized “Direitos Humanos a Humanos Direitos” – Human Rights for the Right People as a guiding principle.
Guterres highlighted people’s diplomacy, noting that human rights must remain central in international engagement. Drawing lessons from Timor-Leste’s history, he stressed that while the people’s resistance was crucial to independence, international solidarity also played a decisive role. He further underscored the role of PDHJ in protecting and promoting human rights, explaining that the institution monitors public administration, investigates complaints, and guides both citizens and officials in upholding human rights. He called on all participants, local and international, to actively contribute to building a society where human rights are respected, protected, and strengthened.
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