DILI, 19 March 2026 (TATOLI) – President José Ramos-Horta held talks with Human Rights Watch Asia Director Elaine Pearson at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, focusing on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and the need for stronger regional accountability.
During the meeting, Ramos-Horta reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s “proud tradition of democracy and human rights,” stressing that these values are deeply embedded in the nation’s identity and form part of the Timorese DNA.
Pearson praised the President’s deep concern for the situation under military rule and sought Timor-Leste’s leadership in pushing for broader protections across Southeast Asia.
The meeting focused on the need for ASEAN member states to hold the Myanmar military junta accountable for atrocities committed since the coup, including the recent “sham elections” and the detention of political prisoners.
President Ramos-Horta and Pearson discussed the importance of the Five-Point Consensus and the need for a unified front among democratic-leaning nations like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The President expressed his commitment to seeking solutions and ensuring that the ASEAN Charter is not undermined by continued human rights violations.
A historic highlight of the discussion was the universal jurisdiction case recently filed in Dili to investigate crimes against humanity in Myanmar.
Pearson described this as a “landmark step” and the first of its kind in Timor-Leste’s history, serving as a powerful message that the country will not ignore regional suffering.
President Ramos-Horta indicated a willingness to engage in further diplomatic efforts, including potential mediation, to support the people of Myanmar and uphold international justice.
TATOLI
