Government of Timor-Leste

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Eighth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Note of condolence for the death of Isabel da Costa Ferreira

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has received with great consternation and sorrow the news of the passing away of Isabel da Costa Ferreira, wife of Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, on July 18^th, 2023, at the Guido Valadares National Hospital, victim of cancer.

Isabel da Costa Ferreira, born on April 15th, 1974, in Same, in the municipality of Manufahi, has held, throughout her life, several humanitarian, human rights and political positions.

She studied Law at the National University of Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia. She has dedicated much of his life to the struggle for human rights and, during the Indonesian military occupation, to actively denouncing the violations committed.

Between 1998 and 1999, she was the General Coordinator of the NGO Kontras Timor-Timur and, between 1999 and 2001, Director of the Human Rights Commission Timor-Loro Sa'e (CDHTL).

In 2001, she was elected a Member of the Constituent Assembly from the UDT lists to dedicate herself, in particular, to the drafting of the articles of the Constitution of Timor-Leste relating to human rights.

During the United Nations Transitional Administration, she was a Human Rights Advisor in the 2nd Transitional Government of Timor-Leste. After the Restoration of Independence, Isabel Ferreira was responsible for several humanitarian, human rights and political issues, namely, as Vice President of the Timor-Leste Red Cross (CVTL) from 2002 to 2005, as Human Rights Advisor in the Prime Minister's office from 2001 to 2006 and Member of the Truth and Friendship Committee (CVA) from 2005 to 2008.

In 2006 she was appointed Vice-Minister of Justice, after which she assumed various positions in various governments and was First Lady of Timor-Leste from May 20^th, 2012 to May 20^th, 2017. In 2022 she ran for the presidential elections.

The Spokesperson of the Government, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on behalf of the Council of Ministers and the entire Government, in this moment of pain and consternation, expressed his “most sincere condolences to the Prime Minister, the bereaved family and all Timorese who share this feeling of loss”. He further stated that “his actions and deep commitment to human rights, justice and solidarity will remain forever in our memory and hearts”. END