Dili, 17 July 2026 – The Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) has officially submitted its independent stakeholder report to the United Nations Human Rights Council for Timor-Leste’s Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), reaffirming its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in the country.
The submission presents PDHJ’s independent assessment of the human rights situation in Timor-Leste since the Third UPR Cycle in 2021. The report was prepared based on complaints received by PDHJ between 2021 and 2026, monitoring visits to public institutions, a review of relevant laws and policies, consultations with civil society organizations, the United Nations Human Rights Advisor, PDHJ programme directors, the institution’s Legal Advisor, and research conducted by PDHJ’s Legal, Administrative and Research units.
The report highlights both the progress achieved and the remaining human rights challenges facing Timor-Leste. It contains recommendations in key areas, including the ratification of outstanding international human rights treaties, strengthening the national human rights framework, preventing torture and excessive use of force, improving prison conditions, implementing transitional justice recommendations, protecting freedom of expression, expanding access to quality healthcare, education and clean water, addressing forced evictions, promoting gender equality, strengthening the rights of children, persons with disabilities and LGBTIQ+ persons, and enhancing protection against human trafficking.
As Timor-Leste’s National Human Rights Institution, PDHJ’s submission contributes an independent human rights perspective to the UPR process and aims to support constructive dialogue between the Government of Timor-Leste, the United Nations, and other stakeholders in advancing the country’s human rights commitments.
The Universal Periodic Review is a unique peer-review mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council under which the human rights record of every UN Member State is reviewed every four and a half years. Stakeholder submissions from National Human Rights Institutions and civil society organizations form an important part of the review process, providing independent information to complement the State’s national report.
Please read the report here: https://www.pdhj.tl/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PDHJ-2026-UPR-Submission-PDF.pdf
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