Dili, 25 March 2025 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste, Virgílio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’, participated as a panelist in a mini-workshop on “Promoting Human Rights in Timor-Leste: Ensuring Legislative Alignment and Recognizing the Rights of LGBTIQ+ Individuals and Persons with Disabilities.” His presence underscored the commitment of the Provedoria for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) to advancing legal protections for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities and the LGBTIQ+ community.
The workshop aimed to explore legislative mechanisms that support the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals in alignment with the spirit of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) and international human rights conventions.
During his remarks, Ombudsman Guterres emphasized that the PDHJ was established to promote and protect human rights, with its mandate encompassing all individuals, including minority and marginalized communities.
“We recognize that the LGBTIQ+ community is often marginalized and faces denial of their rights in various ways. However, their existence is a reality that cannot be ignored,” he stated at the event, which took place at the Timor-Leste Red Cross (CVTL) headquarters in Dili.
He further encouraged collaboration among civil society organizations, including Arcoiris Timor-Leste, Plan International, and disability advocacy groups, emphasizing that the principle of “no one left behind” should not remain merely a campaign slogan but must be translated into concrete actions. “Both persons with disabilities and individuals of diverse sexual orientations must be recognized and treated equally in practice, not just in theory,” he urged.
The workshop was organized by Plan International Timor-Leste (PITL), Arcoiris Timor-Leste (ATL), and the Association Halibur Defisiensia Matan Timor-Leste (AHMDTL). It brought together persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, university students from UNTL, and local leaders, including Suco heads, to discuss strategies for fostering inclusivity and equal rights in Timor-Leste.
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