Liquiça, 2 September 2025 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), in partnership with the Ministry of State Administration (MAE), has launched a three-day training program in Liquiça to equip newly elected village chiefs with knowledge on human rights, good governance, mediation, conciliation, and the role of PDHJ in supporting local leadership.
The program brought together 13 newly appointed village chiefs from Liquiça Municipality at Tokodede Hall from 2–4 September 2025.
In his opening remarks, Ombudsman Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan” reminded participants that PDHJ monitors public institutions to ensure they uphold constitutional duties and protect civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. He emphasized the important role of village chiefs in supporting communities at the grassroots level, listening to citizens’ concerns, and working with municipal authorities to address local challenges.
Guterres also clarified that village chiefs do not have legal authority to punish citizens; their role is to guide, mediate, and defend the community within the framework of the law, fostering peace and unity.
Municipal Secretary for Social Affairs, Zito António de Oliveira da Costa, urged participants to fully engage in the training, emphasizing its importance for understanding their responsibilities and performing their duties in accordance with the law.
The training aims to strengthen village chiefs’ knowledge and professional skills, enhancing their ability to protect community rights, promote good governance, and facilitate cooperation between local leadership and state institutions.