Government of Timor-Leste

The Minister for Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, took part in the Ministerial Panel of the 4th edition of the UNESCO Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination, held on December 10^th, 2024, at the Barcelona International Convention Centre. This event brought together high-level representatives to promote a “Global Alliance Against Racism and Discrimination”, which emphasised the need for collaborative action to build a future free of racism and discrimination. 

Speaking on the panel, made up of members of governments from various countries, Minister Verónica das Dores highlighted Timor-Leste's efforts to combat racism and discrimination, emphasising that the Timorese Constitution enshrines the principle of equality and respect for human rights. “Fully recognising the impact of hundreds of years of colonisation and a country in a post-conflict situation, Timor-Leste guarantees that its own Constitution provides for the highest recognition of human rights, where respect for values and dignity is defended”, said the Minister. 

The Minister also highlighted the legislation and concrete initiatives the Government of Timor-Leste promoted, such as the Law on the Protection of Children and Young People in Danger, the Law Against Violence and the National Action Plan for People with Disabilities. She also emphasised the fundamental role of public campaigns in raising awareness of different forms of prejudice and harassment that can lead to crimes of racism and discrimination. “We recommend public campaigns on the different types of prejudice, harassment and intimidation that can lead to crimes of racism and discrimination”, she said. 

In the context of the national strategic plan, the Minister reinforced that “The Government of Timor-Leste, in its strategic development plans, has placed people at the centre of its development, pro-people and pro-poor, pro-marginalised and this has been central to the priorities and budget of the current Government”. During her speech, she called for the establishment of global strategic alliances involving Governments and partners to address the root causes of racism and discrimination and minimise their negative consequences. 

The Minister also expressed the importance of sharing success stories and experiences of overcoming these challenges within the framework of this meeting. “This annual UNESCO meeting should become a platform for sharing success stories about how each country overcomes the challenges of racism and discrimination and recognising the varied nature of racism and discrimination”, she stressed.

Timor-Leste's participation in this international event reflects the country's commitment to the universal values of equality, dignity, and respect for human rights and the Government's role in promoting a more inclusive and just society. In closing her speech, the Minister thanked UNESCO for the invitation and emphasised the importance of such events to strengthen global collaboration against racism and discrimination. 

Albania's Minister of State for Youth and Children, Bora Muzhaqi; Canada's Associate Vice Minister for Employment and Social Development, Andrew Brown; Montenegro's Minister for Human Rights and Minorities, Fatmir Gjeka; Panama's Vice Minister for Social Development, Ricardo Landero; and Spain's Secretary of State for Equality and against Gender Violence, Aina Calvo Sastre, also took part in this panel.