Lahore, Pakistan | 8 October 2026 — The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”, participated in the 30th Anniversary International Conference of the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan, held in Lahore under the theme “Role of Ombudsman Institutions in Strengthening Accountability, Governance, and Citizens’ Rights.”
The conference brought together Ombudsman institutions and distinguished delegates from different countries to exchange experiences, share institutional best practices, and discuss the evolving role of Ombudsman institutions in promoting accountability, good governance, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
As a panelist in the first session, “The Evolving Role of Ombudsman Institutions in Strengthening Good Governance,” Ombudsman Virgílio da Silva Guterres shared Timor-Leste’s experience in using constitutional mechanisms to strengthen institutional accountability and address systemic governance challenges.
In his intervention, entitled “From Legal Mandate to Practice: How the Ombudsman Uses Constitutional Mechanisms to Strengthen Accountability and Good Governance in Timor-Leste,” he highlighted the importance of moving beyond the resolution of individual complaints to addressing the root causes of maladministration and governance problems.
He explained that Articles 27, 150 and 151 of the Constitution of Timor-Leste provide an important legal foundation for the mandate of the Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ), including mechanisms for constitutional review and review of unconstitutionality by omission.
The Ombudsman highlighted that, over the past four years under his leadership, the PDHJ has submitted 17 petitions for constitutional review and review by omission, compared with only one petition during the institution’s preceding 16 years. He noted that this development reflects the institution’s increased use of its constitutional mandate to address systemic problems and strengthen accountability.
To illustrate the practical impact of these mechanisms, he presented cases concerning recruitment into the National Police and restrictions on public-sector doctors practising privately outside their official working hours. In both cases, the Court ruled in favour of the PDHJ, demonstrating how constitutional review can help address institutional and regulatory issues and provide more definitive solutions.
He also referred to the PDHJ’s petition concerning the absence of comprehensive data protection legislation, noting that although the Court did not uphold the petition, it recognised the urgent need for such legislation. This experience, he explained, demonstrates that the impact of constitutional litigation extends beyond court victories and can also help identify legislative gaps and encourage future reforms.
Beyond constitutional litigation, the Ombudsman emphasised the importance of policy interventions and constructive recommendations in strengthening governance. He cited the PDHJ’s policy opinion on judicial recruitment for the Supreme Court of Justice and the new Court of Appeal, which addressed issues including transparency, merit, gender balance, potential conflicts of interest and judicial independence.
Drawing on these experiences, he shared three key lessons with fellow Ombudsman institutions: independence must be accompanied by initiative; accountability requires addressing systemic problems, not only individual complaints; and institutional impact extends beyond court victories to include legislative advocacy and constructive policy recommendations.
He concluded that the evolution of Ombudsman institutions is not necessarily about having more powers, but about making better and more effective use of their existing mandates. A strong Ombudsman institution, he stressed, should not only identify violations but also help address their root causes and prevent them from recurring.
The participation of the Timor-Leste Ombudsman in the international conference provided an opportunity to share the country’s institutional experience and contribute to international dialogue on strengthening the role of Ombudsman institutions in promoting accountability, good governance and citizens’ rights.
The PDHJ congratulates the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab on its 30th anniversary and acknowledges its contribution to promoting administrative justice, transparency, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Alongside the conference, the delegation participated in a programme of cultural, historical and institutional visits organised by the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab. The programme included visits to the Punjab Provincial Assembly, Lahore Museum, Aitchison College, and the Bhagat Singh Gallery, as well as a guided tour of Lahore’s historical and heritage sites and a visit to the Wagah Border. The delegation also visited the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab to learn more about the institution’s work and its 30-year journey, including its achievements, reforms and future vision. These visits provided an opportunity to learn more about Pakistan’s history, cultural heritage and public institutions, while strengthening professional exchange and mutual understanding among participating delegations.
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