Baucau, 24 august 2026 – Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”, opened a training programme on the Role of FALINTIL-FDTL and Human Rights for 25 members of the FALINTIL-FDTL Air Component in Baucau.
The five-day training, held from 24 to 28 August, is part of PDHJ’s regular human rights promotion activities led by its Directorate of Promotion. The programme aims to strengthen understanding of human rights and the responsibilities of security and defence institutions, including the F-FDTL, National Police (PNTL), Prison Service and community authorities, with a particular focus on the role of the military in promoting and protecting human rights.
“Today, we are here at the Air Component in Baucau to share information and, in particular, to discuss the role of the armed forces in promoting human rights,” said Provedor Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan” during the opening session. He noted that armed forces, police and prison services in many countries are among the institutions that can face heightened human rights risks, particularly when military, security or joint operations involve excessive use of force.
The Provedor emphasised that human rights training complements the professional and military training personnel receive during their careers. He highlighted that while military personnel have a duty to obey lawful orders, they also have a professional and moral responsibility not to carry out orders that clearly violate human rights or the law. “If a superior, for example, orders personnel to assault someone or to carry out an action outside the established chain of command and legal framework, members have the right and responsibility to reject such an order,” he said.
He also encouraged F-FDTL personnel to preserve the spirit and values developed during the FALINTIL resistance period, recalling the principle that the guerrillas were “like fish and the people were like water.” In the context of an independent Timor-Leste, he said, the role of the F-FDTL extends beyond national defence to include contributing to the protection and wellbeing of the people. “The liberation of the people means respecting the people. The military exists to defend the people, and must therefore also promote and protect their rights,” he said.
According to the Provedor, PDHJ’s role is not to replace or duplicate the military’s professional training, but to complement it by sharing knowledge and strengthening awareness of human rights obligations. He noted that continued engagement and training have contributed to greater awareness, while complaints received by PDHJ concerning alleged human rights violations involving the F-FDTL have also decreased compared with 2023.
Second Commander of the F-FDTL Air Component, Lieutenant Colonel Salustiano de Vasconcelos, expressed his appreciation for PDHJ’s initiative and continued commitment to providing human rights training to Air Component personnel. He said the programme was particularly valuable in strengthening knowledge related to professional conduct and ensuring that military personnel understand how to respect human rights in their work.
The training provides participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of human rights principles and the responsibilities of military personnel. Human rights are universal values that belong to everyone regardless of origin or status, while respect for human rights is an essential component of a democratic society and the rule of law. For the F-FDTL, respect for human rights is particularly important as its core responsibilities include defending national sovereignty and independence, maintaining national security and contributing to the protection of the population.
The programme also highlights that military professionalism extends beyond operational capability, equipment, discipline and readiness. It also requires integrity, accountability and respect for human dignity and fundamental rights. Military personnel may be required to make difficult decisions under pressure and within a limited timeframe; a strong understanding of human rights, the rule of law and legal obligations can help ensure that such decisions are responsible, professional and lawful.
Senior Human Rights Adviser of the Human Rights Advisory Unit (UADU), Raja Azwa Petra, said the military has an important responsibility to protect the nation, maintain security and serve the people of Timor-Leste. “Human rights are not separate from military service. They are an essential part of professional military service,” she said.
She explained that the purpose of the training is not simply to study international human rights standards as theory, but to provide an opportunity for participants to examine how those standards can be applied in their daily professional responsibilities. She encouraged participants to ask questions, share experiences and discuss practical challenges, noting that applying human rights principles in operational situations is not always straightforward and therefore requires open and practical discussion.
The training brings together 25 F-FDTL personnel and is being conducted through cooperation between PDHJ, the F-FDTL and the Human Rights Advisory Unit (UADU), reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening human rights knowledge, professional standards and accountability within Timor-Leste’s defence institutions. Through continued collaboration and capacity-building, the three institutions aim to contribute to a professional defence force that protects national sovereignty while upholding human rights, human dignity and the rule of law.
This post is also available in: Tetun