Dili, 6 June 2025 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”, participated as a speaker in the political dialogue session of the 15th Ministerial Meeting between Portuguese-Speaking African Countries and Timor-Leste (PALOP-TL) and the European Union, held in Dili under the central theme “Justice and the Rule of Law.” The session was officially opened by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and was attended by delegations from the PALOP-TL countries, representatives of the European Union, members of parliament, government officials, and other relevant entities.
In his remarks, the Ombudsman began with a quote from Samora Machel, reflecting the essence of public service and the spirit of sacrifice: “Our duty is to give everything to the people, to be the last when it comes to benefits, and the first when it comes to sacrifice. That is what it means to serve the people.” For the Ombudsman, this quote is directly linked to the spirit of responsibility and dedication that should guide discussions on justice and the rule of law. Virgílio Guterres emphasized that speaking of a democratic rule of law is to speak of the guarantee of citizens’ freedoms, the promotion of equality, and the realization of justice. Referring to the role of the Ombudsman institution, he noted that its mission is to ensure respect for fundamental rights and promote good governance, serving as an important mechanism for strengthening the rule of law in Timor-Leste.
During his presentation, the Ombudsman reflected on the need for judicial reform and its impact on political stability and investment attraction. In this context, he posed a critical question: if we are to reflect on or discuss a potential reform of the justice system, we must ask whether the current justice system is effectively meeting the needs of political stability and providing a favorable environment for investment. If not, then perhaps it is time to seriously consider reform.
Quoting Article 1 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, which defines the country as a democratic rule of law based on the popular will and respect for human dignity, the Ombudsman argued that all public policies, including justice sector reform, must be guided by the public good. He emphasized that courts must be independent and free from external interference or political pressure, and that reform should not compromise that independence, but rather reinforce it as a foundation for delivering justice to the people.
Guterres also praised the IX Constitutional Government for putting forward proposals for judicial reform, noting that many recommendations have already been made and that it is essential to ensure the reform process strengthens legal certainty and public trust. He further underscored the importance of regional cooperation in the justice sector, highlighting the role of the PALOP-TL platform as a space for mutual support among Portuguese-speaking countries in their shared effort to ensure justice for their populations.
The Ombudsman stressed that judicial reform must not be merely technical but rooted in democratic and constitutional values. It should contribute to reducing social conflicts, promoting a culture of voluntary compliance with the law, and ensuring an environment conducive to foreign investment.
In closing, Guterres addressed the link between justice, human rights, and business activity, referring to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles assign states the duty to protect human rights through effective grievance and remedy mechanisms, while companies have the responsibility to respect fundamental rights, ensuring that business activities incorporate social responsibility and avoid negative impacts. He concluded by affirming that the promotion of human rights must always be at the heart of any institutional reform process, especially in the justice sector.
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