DILI, 25 september 2023 ( TATOLI)- The Institute for Child Rights Defenders (INDDICA) today held a seminar on socializing child protection laws to Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) to guarantee and protect children’s rights in East Timor.
INDICA Executive Secretary, Teresa Maria Freitas, said this seminar aimed to share information regarding children’s rights which had been approved by the National Parliament in April 2023 with F-FDTL.
“We wish to socialize the ratification of the child protection law that was approved in the National Parliament to F-FDTL to increase knowledge and protect the rights of children in Timor-Leste,” INDICA Executive Secretary Teresa Freitas told reporters at the Ministry of Child Protection. Defense, Fatuhada Dili, on Monday.
Freitas revealed that child protection in Timor-Leste is written in the constitution of the Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) article 18, therefore all institutions including F-FDTL must protect children in Timor-Leste to access education to ensure the welfare of children in Timor – Leste. sustainable development in the future.
In the same place, Major General F-FDTL, José da Costa Soares ‘Trix’ appreciated INDICA’s initiative in socializing the UN convention law which was ratified in April 2023 to F-FDTL saying: “Our members will have sufficient knowledge about children’s rights in Timor – Leste,” he said.
“The protection of children is very crucial because they are the future of the nation, therefore they must be protected by the state regarding their welfare and how to access education to ensure the sustainability of Timor-Leste’s development in the future.”
Meanwhile, the socialization materials disseminated to F-FDTL are; child protection based on UN ratification, RDTL constitutional law article 18, Child Management Protection, Child Welfare, and other related child protection programs in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B