Díli, 12 May 2026 – The Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan”, has called on Timor-Leste’s media to pursue investigative journalism, and strictly follow the Journalistic Code of Ethics, arguing that human rights journalism operates on a different logic than democracy itself.

Speaking as a panelist at the Dili Dialogue Forum, the Ombudsman criticized a troubling trend he has observed in Timor-Leste’s media landscape.

“What happens now is one side is covered in today’s news, and the other side appears in tomorrow’s news. Or one side is covered by one station, and the other side is at the other station,” he said. “Good journalism does not take sides before it has the facts. Cover both sides. Verify before you publish.”

He warned that this fragmented approach to reporting undermines the public’s right to the full truth and fails the principles of ethical journalism. He urged the media to move beyond surface reporting and invest in investigative journalism that uncovers systemic patterns of abuse. He also reminded journalists of their ethical duty to cover both sides of any story within the same report, and to respect the Journalistic Code of Ethics at all times.

“Good journalism does not take sides before it has the facts. Cover both sides. Verify before you publish. Respect the Code of Ethics – not because it is convenient, but because it protects the truth,” he said.

The Ombudsman emphasized that while democracy is governed by majority rule, human rights are fundamentally different.

“In human rights, one person matters. One single complaint matters,” Guterres said. “Journalists must understand this. You do not ignore a violation just because only one victim speaks. That one person has dignity, and that dignity is not subject to a vote.”

The Provedor also directed a sharp message to political leaders, warning them to respect press freedom and accept criticism as an unavoidable part of public office.

“If you do not want to be written about, if you do not want to be criticized, then stay home,” Guterres stated bluntly. “Your political position requires you to be criticized. That is not an attack – that is accountability.”

He added that politicians who wish to avoid negative coverage have only one honorable option: to do their jobs properly and fulfill the promises they made during their campaigns.

“If you do not want to be criticized, then do your job properly. Deliver what you promised. That is the only defense a public official has against the press – competence and integrity,” he said.

Guterres reiterated that journalists cannot protect human rights without first understanding the Constitution. A journalist who does not know fundamental rights, he argued, will see injustice and not recognize it. He drew a sharp distinction between having press freedom and having a truly free press, noting that a press which repeats only official statements or avoids difficult questions is not genuinely free.

On May 28-29, 2026, Public Defender of Georgia Levan Ioseliani is participating in the International Conference of Ombudsmen in Rome (Italy), the theme of which is “The Role of the Ombudsman in the Protection of Rights in a Changing World”.

The event is organized by the President of the National Coordination of Ombudsmen, Ombudsman of Italy and Ombudsman of the Lazio Region, Marino Fardelli, as well as the Lazio Regional Council, and is being attended by ombudsmen, mediators, experts and representatives of human rights institutions from different countries.

The conference aims to discuss civil protection, rights and democratic innovations in the face of new global challenges, as well as the evolution of institutional mediation and future challenges facing oversight institutions, and to share best practices and new perspectives for international cooperation.

Within the framework of the conference, the Public Defender of Georgia met with the President of the National Coordination of Ombudsmen of Italy, Ombudsman of Italy and Ombudsman of the Lazio Region, Marino Fardelli, and discussed issues of future cooperation.

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab recently participated in an international webinar delivered by Mr. Klaas Vansteenkiste, Forensic Auditor, Centre Intégrité Centrum Integriteit (MedfedOmb), Federal Ombudsman Belgium, centred on Belgium’s landmark whistle blower protection legislation and the evolving role of ombudsman institutions in safeguarding those who speak truth to power. The session was attended by Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Ombudsman Punjab, Secretary Mr. Kaiser Saleem, and all Advisors from the Head Office and Regional Offices.

Mr. Vansteenkiste outlined the Belgian Federal Ombudsman’s dual mandate, handling complaints about federal public services and managing whistle blower reports for both public and private sectors. Belgium enacted two landmark laws in 2022 covering both the public and private sectors, addressing breaches across key areas including public procurement, financial fraud, and consumer protection. The framework provides internal, external, and public disclosure making anonymous reporting permissible.

Acting as a federal coordinator across 29 competent authorities, the Belgian Federal Ombudsman receives reports, assesses their admissibility, and directs them to the relevant authority for investigation. Whistle blowers facing retaliation receive immediate extra-judicial protection, with sanctions for violators ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment of up to three years. Private sector whistleblowing reports tripled from 2023 to 2025, rising from approximately 200 to over 600.

(Mr. Klaas Vansteenkiste, Forensic Auditor, Centre Intégrité Centrum Integriteit (MedfedOmb), Federal Ombudsman Belgium, briefing the session)

Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Ombudsman Punjab, engaged Mr. Vansteenkiste with pointed questions on the verification of anonymous complaints, the risk of false reporting and whether all 29 competent authorities operate with equal powers and jurisdiction. In her closing remarks, Ms. Ayesha Hamid noted the Office’s intention to review the existing Punjab Ombudsman Act to identify any gaps or limitations in light of the Belgian experience.

Ombudsmen of Türkiye Mr. Ertunç Erkan Balta, Ms. Fatma Benli Yalçın, Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas, Mr. Özcan Yıldız, and Mr. Şerif Yılmaz attended the meeting of the Joint Subcommittee composed of members of the Petition Committee and the Human Rights Inquiry Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 13 May 2026. During the meeting, committee members listened to representatives of relevant public administrations that had taken a negative approach toward the Ombudsman Institution’s recommendations and requests for information and documents in 2025. The Ombudsmen also delivered presentations regarding decisions within their respective fields of responsibility, while Members of Parliament shared their assessments and views on the agenda items discussed.

Within the framework of the “Human Rights Month” declared in the country by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a legal awareness-raising event on the topic “Ensuring Human Rights is the Supreme Purpose of the Azerbaijani State” was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Goranboy district. The event was jointly organized by the Ombudsman’s Western Regional Center and the Executive Authority of Goranboy district, with the broad participation of representatives of district law enforcement agencies, education, healthcare, culture, youth and sports institutions.

During the event, the head of the Ombudsman’s Western Regional Center, Sabuhi Abbasov, delivered a speech and noted that by the Order of the President of the country dated 18 June 2007, 18 June was established as Human Rights Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, information was provided on the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of protection of human rights and freedoms, the “916” Call Center, and the procedures for applying to the Commissioner, and the questions of the participants were answered.

Recently, the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman), Feruza Eshmatova, met with the delegation of Germany’s “West-Eastern Encounters” Foundation.

The meeting was attended by Matthias Platzeck, Chairman of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board, Dr. Martin Kummer, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, and Executive Director Anna Kaiser.

During the dialogue, the parties discussed mechanisms for the protection of human rights, the handling of appeals, monitoring visits conducted with the participation of public representatives to institutions where persons with restricted freedom of movement are held, the development of cooperation with civil society institutions, as well as issues related to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.

It was also noted that the prevention of violence against women remains one of the pressing issues in Germany’s practice as well, and that approaches aimed at preserving family and universal human values play an important role in this regard.

In addition, the parties exchanged views on prospects for mutual exchange of experience in the field of ensuring human rights, strengthening relations between civil society institutions, and implementing joint initiatives.

Dili, 07 May 2026 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) of Timor-Leste, represented by Executive Secretary Ambrosio Graciano Soares, participated in the Regional Forum on Human Rights Cities in ASEAN: Localizing Human Rights for Inclusive Development Towards Localizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The hybrid event took place on 27-28 April 2026 at Grande Centre Point Lumphini, Bangkok, Thailand. The forum was organized by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and brought together AICHR members, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), local governments, civil society, and international experts to advance the Human Rights City approach across Southeast Asia.

Keynote speakers and panelists from the UN, European Union, academia, and city governments emphasized that Human Rights Cities offer a practical framework for localizing international and regional commitments such as the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. Seree Nonthasoot of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights highlighted rapid urbanization, noting that over half the world’s population now lives in cities. Other speakers stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships involving local governments, civil society, NHRIs, academia, and the business sector, drawing from successful models in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, including the pioneering examples of Rosario (Argentina) and Gwangju (South Korea).

The two-day event featured site visits to inclusive urban practices in Bangkok, including a nursing home for older persons and persons with disabilities, an emergency shelter for homeless individuals, a food bank, and an accessible ecological park. Panel discussions also addressed smart city frameworks, disability-inclusive mobility, and city-to-city partnerships. A representative of the Government of Timor-Leste, Jacinto dos Santos, expressed gratitude for the knowledge shared and confirmed that Timor-Leste is taking preparatory steps in human resources and infrastructure to potentially apply the Human Rights City model in the future.

The forum concluded with closing remarks by Bolivar L. Bao, Acting AICHR Chair, who thanked all participants for their contributions. The PDHJ delegation’s participation was made possible through an official nomination by Provedor Virgilio da Silva Guterres, with travel and accommodation costs covered by the AICHR Secretariat in collaboration with the European Union. Executive Secretary Ambrosio Graciano Soares reported that the workshop provided highly useful discussions and valuable best practices for advancing human rights at the local level in Timor-Leste.

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab successfully hosted the first batch of its 5-day International Internship Programme from April 27 to May 1, 2026, marking a significant step towards fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange within the global ombudsman community.

Organized in collaboration with the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), the week-long programme brought together distinguished representatives from member institutions across various regions. Participants included Ismail Areff Bawamia from the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, Republic of Mauritius; Ahmet Kesgin from the Ombudsman Institution of Turkiye; and Darren Carr from the Office of the City Ombudsman, Cape Town, South Africa.

The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Honourable Ombudsman Punjab Ms. Ayesha Hamid and Secretary Kaiser Saleem, setting the tone for a week of professional engagement and collaborative learning. The opening session was emceed by Advisor Research, Ahmad Yar Khan. Registrar, Nadeem Hassan Gohar delivered a comprehensive overview of the Ombudsman Act 1997, outlining the legal and institutional framework governing the organization’s mandate.

Designed to provide a thorough understanding of the institutional framework and operational practices of Ombudsman Punjab, the programme combined theoretical briefings with practical exposure. Participants gained in-depth insights into complaint handling procedures, case management systems, and service delivery mechanisms. Advisor (F&P)/(ITID) Sami Ullah presented a detailed overview of the certified ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for complaint management, reflecting the institution’s commitment to efficiency and service excellence. Ms. Noor-ul-Ain Zafar (Deputy Director I&C) gave briefing on the operations of 1050 helpline and redressal of grievances. Ahmad Yar Khan (Advisor Research) also presented a comparative analysis between the Office of Ombudsman Punjab and the interns’ respective home country institutions, fostering deeper institutional understanding and exchange of perspectives.

Activities throughout the week included guided office tours of Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad Regional Offices with Mr. Muhammad Saleem (Deputy Director), Mr. Sabir Kabir (Liaison cum Coordinator) and Umar Tahir (Assistant Director International Relations). Moreover, the participants experienced the Awami Khidmat Programme Van Outreach in the remote areas of Faisalabad and attended live hearing sessions. Interactive sessions with senior officials facilitated meaningful dialogue on shared challenges, emerging trends, and best practices in ombudsman institutions worldwide.

Complementing the professional agenda, the programme featured cultural and site visits, allowing participants to experience the region’s heritage and governance landscape. The participants visited Masjid Wazir Khan, Lahore Fort, Shahi Hammam and Hiran Minar. This integration of professional learning with cultural engagement enriched the overall experience and reinforced the importance of cross-cultural understanding within the ombudsman network.

The programme concluded with closing remarks by Honourable Ombudsman Punjab Ms. Ayesha Hamid, who also awarded certificates to the participants, marking the successful completion of their internship.

– The ACRC and KOICA jointly operate a five-day anti-corruption capacity-building training program for Ethiopia starting on Apr. 28

– Korea’s outstanding anti-corruption systems, including the Act on the Prevention of Conflicts of Interest of Public Officials and the anti-corruption education system, are to be shared

The Korea Integrity and Civil Rights Training Institute (KICTI) under the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Jung Il Yeon) announced that it will operate an Anti-Corruption Capacity-Building Training Program for public officials of Ethiopia’s Federal Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) for five days starting on April 28.

This training is a follow-up measure pursuant to the MOU on anti-corruption cooperation signed between the ACRC and the FEACC in June 2024, and was arranged in response to a request from the Ethiopian side to learn from Korea’s public official conflict-of-interest prevention system and its systematic anti-corruption training system.

Nine FEACC officials at the director-level are participating in this program, which is operated in cooperation with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency). The curriculum is centered on core anti-corruption legislation, such as the Act on the Prevention of Conflicts of Interest of Public Officials and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, as well as the current state of anti-corruption education programs for public officials and integrity education programs for the younger generation.

The Republic of Korea has garnered sustained international attention for its Korean-style anti-corruption policies and experience since it stands as an exemplary case of having simultaneously achieved economic growth and improvement in its CPI*(Corruption Perceptions Index) in the shortest period of time in the world.

* (2016) 53 points, 52nd place (out of 180 countries) → (2025) 63 points, 31st place (out of 182 countries)

Accordingly, the ACRC has been operating annual anti-corruption capacity-building training programs for public officials from countries around the world as part of ODA (Official Development Assistance) projects, and has shared Korea’s anti-corruption systems and experience with 746 public officials from 74 countries to date.

Along with the training program for the Ethiopian government this year, the Commission plans to operate a customized training program for public officials from Zimbabwe in June, and conduct training sessions in September for four Asian countries India, Nepal, Mongolia, and Bhutan as well as four West African countries Senegal, Guinea, Togo, and Benin thereby steadily expanding its international anti-corruption training programs.

Chairperson Jung Il Yeon of the ACRC said, “Ethiopia is the only African ally that sent troops to fight alongside Korea during the Korean War,” and emphasized, “As a nation leading democracy and sustainable development, we will continue to share the anti-corruption policies of Korea with Ethiopia and the international community to enhance the standing of the Republic of Korea.”

• FEDERAL OMBUDSMAN INSPECTION TEAM ASKS ADMINISTRATION OF POLY CLINIC HOSPITAL TO URGENTLY IMPROVE QUALITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES
• ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINES FOR THE PATIENTS

Islamabad: 05 May, 2026 – The Federal Ombudsman, Mr. Naveed Kamran Baloch has directed the administration of the Poly Clinic Hospital in Islamabad to ensure uninterrupted provision of medicines and proper treatment to all patients alongwith availability of doctors at the hospital. He also asked for details of the purchase and disbursement of medicines alongwith the duty roster of the doctors. He has further directed that the Poly Clinic-II Hospital currently under construction in Sector G-11, be completed as per its original time frame.

He was responding to the report submitted by the Federal Ombudsman’s Inspection Team, which visited the Federal Government Services Hospital (Poly Clinic) here today. He instructed that immediate steps be undertaken to improve the general cleanliness and sanitation level at the hospital. ‘No patient should be returned without providing proper medical treatment and medicines’, he observed. He also directed that the vacancies of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff currently lying vacant may be filled as early as possible as per the relevant provisions, upholding the highest consideration for merit and transparency.

It may be pointed out that the Federal Ombudsman’s Inspection Team visited the Poly Clinic Hospital in response to the large number of public complaints regarding mal-administration and difficulties in proper medical treatment at the hospital. Headed by the Senior Advisor, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, Ms. Raana Seerat, the Inspection Team included Maj. Gen. (Retd) Haroon Sikandar Pasha, Advisor, WMS and Consultants Mr. Pervaiz Haleem and Mr. Khalid Sial. The Team went round various sections and departments of the hospital and issued on the spot instructions for prompt redressal of public complaints.

The Team witnessed an extraordinary rush of the patients in almost every department of the hospital and late arrival of doctors, in addition to difficulties in getting the prescribed medicines, conducting of various laboratory tests for proper diagnosis, getting attestation of the medical bills etc. Some people also complained of subtle attempts on part of certain staff members to induce the patients carry out the medical tests from private laboratories. The Inspection Team expressed its deep concern over the state of affairs in particular the overall sanitation and non-functioning of the hospital’s only lift due to which patients are suffering a great deal. It also instructed that the biometric system of attendance be activated forthwith to ensure attendance and availability of the doctors and staff members. Additionally, it directed that a facilitation desk may also be established at the main entrance to guide the patients.