DILI, 14 January 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, received a delegation from the Chin Human Rights Organisation today at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace for an in-depth meeting focused on the worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar and the promotion of justice and accountability at the regional level.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the Head of State on the systematic abuses and the so-called “reign of terror” perpetrated by the Myanmar military junta against the civilian population.
Both parties reflected on their shared history of struggle for self-determination, emphasizing the deep bonds of solidarity between Timor-Leste and Myanmar in defending democracy, freedom, and human dignity.
The discussion also covered legal proceedings recently initiated in Dili against several members of the Myanmar armed forces accused of alleged crimes against humanity. President Ramos-Horta and the delegation agreed that an independent judicial system is fundamental, emphasizing that legal processes must proceed free from political interference.
The delegation highlighted the importance of international bodies, such as the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), in providing verified evidence to support the Timorese judicial system, ensuring a transparent and fair process.
Salai Za Uk, Executive Director of the Chin Human Rights Organisation, said that reign of terror has intensified in Myanmar as revolutionary forces have taken ground from the junta, which has led to the increasing use of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks by aircraft, drones and artillery.
Salai stressed that civilians, including babies, women, and children, have been killed on an industrial scale since the 2021 coup. “Civilian infrastructure, with special protection under international law, is being hit on an almost daily basis. Hospitals, schools, centres for internally displaced people, churches and other places of worship are being deliberately destroyed.”
He also briefed the President on the case filed by his organization in Dili against ten Myanmar military members. “The crimes of which they are accused include the gang rape of a pregnant woman, the massacre of ten people, including a journalist and a 13-year-old boy who was among eight people who had their throats slit, the deliberate killing of a Christian Pastor and three Deacons; a disproportionate and indiscriminate aerial attack on a hospital which killed four medical staff and four patients, and a series attacks on Christian churches,” he explained.
Salai added that the delegation came to Timor-Leste with hope: “Hope that though we were denied justice in our own country, we will find some sense of restitution here. We pray that given Timor Leste’s own experiences and given this country’s powerful Christian beliefs, this will be a place where our cry for justice will be heard and our prayers for accountability will be answered.”
The meeting concluded with the delegation praising Timor-Leste as the “moral voice of ASEAN”, citing the country’s successful transition to democracy as a source of hope and inspiration for the region.
expressed his gratitude for the trust shown and reiterated Timor-Leste’s firm commitment to regional stability, the rule of law, and the protection of universal human rights.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
