From July 10-11, 2024, the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) Timor-Leste hosted the Second Technical Working Group Meeting (TWG) of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institution Forum (SEANF) in Dili. Under the theme “Human Rights for All, Especially in Southeast Asia: Respected, Protected, and Enjoyed Equally by All,” the meeting welcomed SEANF members both in person and online.

Virgílio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’, Chairperson of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), delivered the opening remarks, expressing anticipation for productive discussions on critical human rights issues such as land rights, livelihoods, and overall human rights conditions. He emphasized that the outcomes of this meeting would be pivotal for presentation at the annual SEANF conference scheduled for November 2024.

SEANF, which includes the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (KOMNAS HAM), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), and Timor-Leste’s PDHJ, collaborates to advance human rights in the region.

Discussions during the meeting addressed various pressing issues including human rights in business, prevention of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment, human trafficking, and transboundary human rights issues. Members shared updates on major developments since the first TWG meeting in April 2024.

The meeting also saw participation from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as the Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC) and Rede Ba Rai from Timor-Leste, who contributed insights on monitoring mechanisms and advocacy efforts related to land conflicts. Additionally, FORUM-ASIA/ANNI discussed human rights developments in Southeast Asia and potential collaborations with SEANF.

The results of the Second SEANF TWG Meeting will be used to guide discussions at the upcoming annual SEANF meeting in November 2024 in Dili, advancing efforts to promote and safeguard human rights throughout Southeast Asia.