DILI, 28 february 2024 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, representing Timor-Leste, took part in the High Level Segment of the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN), which took place in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system, tasked with strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world and addressing situations of human rights violations, formulating recommendations on these issues.
“The promotion and protection of human rights are guiding principles in the exercise of Timor-Leste’s foreign policies,” said the Minister Dores, in a statement.
He highlighted the importance of meaningful cooperation between states and stakeholders to achieve the common goal of ensuring human rights for all, underlining the government’s commitment to equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
“By becoming a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Timor-Leste has committed itself to establishing a National Disability Council by 2025,” she said.
Dores called on the Human Rights Council to pay attention to the people of Western Sahara, lamenting “the lack of progress” and reiterating the call “to grant the exercise of the right to self-determination, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.”
She expressed her concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the importance of protecting all civilian populations in accordance with international humanitarian law. In this regard, Minister Dores reiterated Timor-Leste’s position of supporting a two-state solution.
Verónica das Dores also made a commitment “to strengthen efforts to improve the rights of women and girls, with the fight against discrimination and violence” and declared that “Timor-Leste places special attention on the defense of freedom of expression and opinion.”
Dores concluded her speech by saying that Timor-Leste, with its “rich experience in rebuilding a country devastated by war, is a resilient and democratic country that promotes human rights for all.”
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
