DILI, 04 may 2024 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MFAC), Bendito dos Santos Freitas gave instructions to the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Portugal to urgently help the Portuguese Security Authority in seeking solution measures regarding the confrontation between young people in Portugal.
Minister Freitas made this statement, relating it to the concern of the National Parliament and the public regarding the confrontation between young Timorese in Fátima, Portugal that occurred recently, in the early hours of June 2nd.
“The concern that was raised by the National Parliament related to the tragic confrontation between Timorese in Portugal, MFAC has already contacted and urgently coordinated with the Ambassador of Timor-Leste in Lisbon, to investigate this situation. The Process is ongoing. Our Embassy and the Portuguese Judicial Police are coordinating the search for a solution to the case in question and have also approached the Catholic Nuns in Leiria, Fátima,” he said.
Freitas said: “The Ambassador is investigating the urgency of the problem and will use all legal means (channels) to immediately resolve the problem. The first way to do this is to call for a reconciliation meeting or ask for forgiveness between the conflicting members.”
At this moment, the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Lisbon, Portugal, is cooperating with the Judiciary Police and the Nuns in Leiria, Fátima, proposing a solution to the confrontation through the proposal of reconciliation between the groups of young people in confrontation.
The Government of Timor-Leste will also call the agencies (travel and work agencies) that facilitated young people to immigrate to Portugal, asking them for a sense of responsibility, as, before sending them abroad, they would have to check whether they are or not complying with the laws and regulations in force in this country and the country in which they will stay.
“However, this process must have the expectation that the Government will take strict measures for agencies to take responsibility for young Timorese, because these agencies would have to think better before sending young people abroad, by finding out whether or not they are, in accordance with the legal and regulatory procedures of the country of origin and the receiving country, therefore, aiming at the continuous manifestation of dignity, principles and values of human rights and freedom of the citizens,” Minister Freitas said.
It is alleged that the highlighted confrontation involved members of Martial Art of 22 and Ritual Art of 77 groups (red. 22 and 77 are the symbols of the existing Martial Arts Groups in Timor-Leste) which resulted in a fatal victim, Domingos do Rêgo, born on december 1, 1998, from the village of Tulatakeu, Sub-district, Remexio, Aileu Municipality, and other 5 young people had serious injuries and are undergoing medical treatment at Leiria Hospital.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
