Training for the Provedor September 2005

Malaysian Human Rights Expert delivers training for the Provedor
http://www.unmiset.org/UNMISETWebSite.nsf/60325cf12626b2a349256f0a003ef7d8/
16cf73da06d677ae4925710e002c68c4?OpenDocument

A training programme for the Provedor Mr. Sebastião Dias Ximenes and his Deputy Silverio Baptista Pinto coordinated by the UNOTIL Human Rights Unit was completed on Friday 23 September 2005. The training was funded by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights arranged after consultation with the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), of which Timor-Leste is now a candidate member.

he five-day training programme was delivered by Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Mr. Simon Sipaun who commented, “the programme is an important step on the never-ending journey to promote and protect human rights in Timor-Leste”. Mr. Simon also congratulated the Provedor on the strong legal mandate he has been given to promote and protect human rights in Timor-Leste. He also commented on the current process of drafting a National Human Rights Action Plan as demonstrative of a strong commitment by the Timor-Leste government to human rights.

During the training programme, practical advice was provided to the Provedor on establishing procedures for management and staff training, the drafting of internal procedures for receiving and investigating human rights complaints as well as education and promotion of human rights to the people of Timor-Leste. The training programme also focused on the importance of the establishment of good working relations with other state institutions such as the Prosecutor-General, PNTL, the Office of the Inspector General, the Courts and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Human Rights. There was also emphasis on the Paris Principles on National Human Rights Institutions for the Office of the Provedor to function effectively and independently.

Provedor Sebastião Dias Ximenes stated that “the programme has been very useful to us. The discussions with the two members of SUHAKAM and the sharing of their experience in setting up a national human rights institution will help us in establishing a strategic plan for the human rights aspect of the mandate of Timor-Leste’s Office of the Provedor”.

UNOTIL has already provided one national human right officer to the Office of the Provedor. An International human right officer will shortly be provided to the Office of the Provedor in addition to other human right officers who will be provided to the National Parliament, the Office of the Advisor on Human Rights to Prime Minister and the Ministries of Interior, Defence, Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.