Dili, 11 July 2026
Good afternoon everyone.
Today, we gather once again for the March Pride.
For some, this march may be seen simply as a celebration or an occasion for joy. However, it is much more than that. Above all, it is a platform to advocate for respect for human dignity, a principle enshrined in our Constitution. It is an opportunity to call for the elimination of discrimination against people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It is an invitation to foster peaceful and harmonious social coexistence, where the dignity of every person is respected. It is also a call for dialogue among people of different beliefs, for freedom of conscience, and for mutual respect, values that are not only rooted in our Constitution but are also affirmed in the international human rights instruments ratified by the State of Timor-Leste.
The purpose of this March Pride is not to teach others, but to teach ourselves to respect dialogue and to embrace a life of inclusion. That is why we must transform this space into a civic education ground for our entire public. This echoes the enduring promise of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which we often invoke in our speeches: “No one left behind.” Today, we reaffirm that these are not empty words or mere slogans on paper. They must be translated into our social and political reality, so that they carry true meaning in our daily lives and in the way we treat one another.
Let us continue to build a Timor-Leste where diversity is celebrated, where inclusion is practiced, and where dignity is upheld for all.
Long live Timor-Leste!
Long live diversity!
Live social inclusion!
The fight goes on!
Thank you.
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