DILI, 22 june 2022 (TATOLI) – Hundreds of public officials from various ministries, together with more than 50 staff members of the Public Service Commission (CFP) visited Centro Nacional Chega! (CNC), one of the well-known historical sites in Dili to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the CFP.
The staff members kicked off their historical site visit by watching Timor-Leste’s resistance documentary film, called “Resistir é Vencer!.”
In his opening remarks, Vice Minister of State Administration (MoSA), Lino de Jesus Torrezão said the historical site visit was important for the public officials to have a strong nationalism and patriotism.
“This historical site visit gives the younger staff members opportunities to learn our 24-year resistance, which is crucial to growing strong nationalism and patriotism among them,” Torrezão made the comments at CNC, in Dili, today.
He said as public officials, staff members need to develop their historical knowledge: “Apart from CNC, these public officials will also visit other historical sites in Dili.”
“Numerous human rights violations were taken place here at this place during the Indonesian occupation. Abuses against Timorese people both men and women were well-documented here.”
There are three types of historical sites in Dili: massacre, detention and torture, and resistance events.
More than 30 places across Dili have been identified as the historical sites – Toko Lay, Eis Departamentu Sosial Portugues, Salaun Matadoru, Mota Maloa, Ponte Cais Dili, Fatu Banku/Besukaer, Santa Cruz Cemetery, Ospital Wira Husada, Quartel Brimob Bairopite, Rezidensia Manuel Crascalão/Fundação Oriente, Estrada Culuhun Dili, Rezidensia Bispo Diocese Dili, Câmara Eclesística, Polres Dili, Pusat Kebudayaan, Sede Anterior Polisia Militar Portugés, Salaun Sota, KOTIS, Eis KODIM Dili/Case Europa, Tropical/ Plaza Hotel, Comarca Balide, Sang Tai Hoo, Mes Korem (Kartika Sari) Mandarin, Postu SGI, Rezidensia Diretor Banku Mundial, Sentru Formasaun PNTL Dili, Kuartel Jeral Taibessi, Palasiu Nobre, Monumentu Marabia, Uma Adat Tasi Tolu, and Hotel Novu Turizmu, Igreja Motael.
Each of these historical sites tells its own unique story, part of the greater story of Timor-Leste’s 24-year resistance against Indonesian occupation. They contribute to making Timor-Leste a distinct country with rich history among other countries in Southeast Asia.
The Executive Director of CNC, Hugo Maria Fernandes said that Balide Prison was established in the 1950s and 20 years later used to be a prison where political prisoners were incarcerated during Timor-Leste’s fight for independence.
The Balide prison was turned into a public institute known as Centro Nacional Chega! (CNC), in 2007, so that the story will never be forgotten.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
