Oé-Cusse, 2 June 2026 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) delegation in RAEOA has successfully reached one of the remote communities in the Oecusse region, bringing vital information about human rights and good governance to residents who have had fewer opportunities to engage directly with national public institutions.
The outreach activity took place in Suku Cutete, Pante Makassar Administrative Post, a newly established village with only two hamlets and a total of 159 household heads. Led by the Director of the PDHJ Territorial Delegation for RAEOA, Bartolomeu Gonçalves, along with promotion specialists José Tefa and Domingas da Paixão Quefi, the session educated 68 community members, both men and women about PDHJ’s mandate to protect human rights, promote good governance, receive and resolve complaints, conduct investigations, and carry out monitoring activities.
Suku Chief José António Bana opened the session by expressing deep gratitude that PDHJ had chosen Cutete as the venue for the socialization. “For many years, our community has had limited access to public services, especially national human rights institutions that stand up for the rights of ordinary citizens,” he said. His sentiment was echoed by participants who spoke of their hope that such programs would continue on a regular basis.
Carmelita Quelo, attending a PDHJ session for the first time, shared her joy and suggested that similar activities be held consistently to raise community awareness about the importance of human rights institutions. Young resident Marta Tani also welcomed the session, urging that it be repeated in the future so that local authorities can be reminded to carry out their duties in accordance with the law.
Beyond the formal presentations, the PDHJ team listened closely to community concerns. Residents voiced pressing issues related to infrastructure, including road repairs, school construction, improved public service delivery, and the provision of subsidies for the elderly and the Bolsa da Mãe (mother’s stipend) program. The session served not only as an educational forum but also as a bridge connecting a remote community to the national institutions mandated to protect their rights.
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