Dili, 27 January 2026– The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”, delivered opening remarks at a major three-day workshop on International Migration and Human Rights this week. The event, held from January 27-29, 2026, at Novo Turismo in Dili, was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in coordination with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The workshop marks a significant step in strengthening Timor-Leste’s engagement on regional issues following its accession as a full ASEAN member in October 2025.
In his address, the Ombudsman framed migration as a fundamental “human story” of hope and dignity, while also highlighting Timor-Leste’s specific realities as a country of origin, transit, and destination. He stressed that migrants are rights-holders and states are duty-bearers, calling for policies cantered on human rights and enhanced regional cooperation within ASEAN. The PDHJ was prominently involved, with Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance, Rigoberto Monteiro, leading a session on protection mechanisms for migrant workers from the perspectives of the state, ASEAN, and National Human Rights Institutions.
The comprehensive agenda, led by resource person Associate Professor Dr. Andika Wahab of UKM, covered critical themes including an overview of ASEAN’s migration landscape, labour migration, forced migration, trafficking in persons, and the intersection of migration with development. The workshop aimed to translate knowledge into concrete policy reforms and strengthen institutional capacity, particularly for the PDHJ, which regularly handles complaints related to migrant worker rights violations and recruitment malpractices.
The workshop brought together 22 nominated PDHJ staff members, government officials, diplomats, and development partners for interactive discussions. It served as a platform to enhance coordination among national institutions and align Timor-Leste’s migration governance with ASEAN frameworks and international human rights standards, ensuring the protection of migrants’ rights as both a legal obligation and a moral imperative for the nation.
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