JAKARTA, 08 august 2023 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, in his speech at Jakarta Post’s Democracy Forum, said that Timor-Leste is one of the peaceful countries in the Southeast Asian region.
He emphasized that political violence, ethnic and religious-based tensions, and exclusion are absent from the daily lives of the Timorese people: “Timor-Leste is an island of peace, tranquility, tolerance, and inclusion.”
“Our 98% practicing Catholics live side by side in harmony with our brothers and sisters of the other two recognized religions in our country, namely protestants, and Muslims who together account for two percent of our population,” Horta said at the 40th anniversary of the Jakarta Post Democracy Forum, on Monday.
Timor-Leste became the first nation in the world to include the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” as part of its core national values. This document was prepared in February 2019 by two of the great religious leaders of our time, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, representing different faiths manifesting their belief in the importance of “fraternity’’ to promote world peace.
Previously, Horta said embracing the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” will help maintain the coexistence of Timor-Leste’s people of different religious backgrounds.
Horta has often labeled Timor-Leste as an ‘Oasis of Peace: “Timor-Leste an Oasis of Peace to achieve lasting peace. We are living in an imperfect democracy but it’s peaceful, with no record of any kind of political, ethnic, or religious violence. We live in fraternity and peace.”
Last year, on his inauguration as President of the Republic, Horta pledged to fight for peace, for a human fraternity at national, regional, and international levels, regardless of ideology, religion, or social organization.”
By comparing Timor-Leste to the current situation in Myanmar, where millions of people are held hostage by a non-elected military junta, President Horta said that Timor-Leste is a twinkling light of democracy.
The statement reflects the recent parliamentary elections, which took place on 21 May in a very peaceful and democratic manner.
“The Economist magazine “Democracy Index” rates Timor-Leste the most democratic country in Southeast Asia, and Freedom House classifies it as “Free.” World Press Freedom Index places Timor-Leste in 10th position globally,” the Head of State stressed.
Related News:https://en.tatoli.tl/2023/08/05/president-horta-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-jakarta-posts-democracy-forum/13/
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
