Dili, October 25, 2024 (Média Democracia) – A press conference held by an advocacy network that fights for the rights of women and girls to condemn acts of violence against women and girls, and this press conference is also related to the case of domestic murder that occurred in Becora and the case of physical violence that occurred in September. The press conference was held at Fokupers, Farol, Dili, on Thursday.
“In order to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child which falls on October 11, 2024 and also the International Day of Rural Women which falls on October 15, 2024, the whole world celebrates it including Timor Leste, so that day becomes an important day for them to ensure the rights of girls and rural women as stated in the RDTL constitution. The advocacy network fights for the rights of women and girls and condemns acts of violence against women and girls.” Said the resource person Natalia de Jesus
She continued, in article 18 of the constitution guarantees protection for children and article 17 has equal rights in family, social, economic and cultural. The State of Timor-Leste ratified various international instruments to protect women and children, demanding the state’s obligation to provide protection and fulfillment of human rights for everyone including adopting the document of human fraternity. The law on the protection of children and young people has a risk which is the enactment and establishment of mechanisms to protect and guarantee children’s rights, and must guarantee women are free from violence and discrimination.
“The problem of Domestic Violence, Gender-Based Violence (VBJ) that occurs in Timor-Leste is like a necklace that never ends and continues to be a problem and dilemma for women to live free from violence. Although we have many legal instruments to ensure that women and girls get justice with dignity and how to prevent violence at the community, family and community levels, especially ensuring that women and girls are free from torture or losing their freedom and life just because they face various forms of violence.” She said.
She added that gender-based violence was recorded in Fokupers in 2024 with a total of 215 cases including referral cases from Alfela, Pradet and other referral members, but the most serious was in October violence against women and girls at a young age who experienced sexual violence, psychological pressure, physical aggression to using sharp tools to the point of losing their lives.
“The advocacy network wants to convey and remind the public to condemn violent behavior against women and girls that occurs in families, communities and society, because of their vulnerability and poor status, not only violence against women and girls but also Femicide that occurs in this Independent and Democratic Timor-Leste.” She continued.
She added that especially for young girls, on October 11, 2024, it is commemorated as International Day of the Girl Child, today is a bitter day in the history of this country, because there was a victim of a 14-year-old girl who died due to physical violence and abuse from her uncle and aunt and sexual violence from her uncle who since she was little had considered them as her parents.
“Since childhood he experienced this until today, the victim received quite severe physical violence from his uncle and aunt which resulted in his head bleeding. He experienced quite severe psychological trauma to the point of losing consciousness so he went to HNGV for treatment. Although he was still in a difficult condition, his family asked for unconditional reasons with the intention of getting health care through alternative methods or cultures. Only after 12 days had passed did his family take him to HNGV in serious condition and on October 11, 2024 he was reported to have died.” She added.
She informed, in another part there was an incident that occurred on October 20, 2024 in Becora in the early hours of the morning, the victim with the initials B.C. who was 8 months pregnant had to give up her life because of the violence and aggression of the suspect on the grounds of suspicion. This criminal act cannot be tolerated and there is no reason for the suspect to take the lives of his wife and child. Even more shocking, the innocent baby had to accept the violence from the suspect, the victim as a woman who day and night had to earn a living or sell clothes and shoes at the Taibesi market to support her family.
“The incident that occurred in Ireland on October 14, 2024, brought sad news to Timor-Leste, especially for mothers, parents should be a safe, calm, protected and beautiful place but only because of their ego and parental interests they had to kill innocent children who did not know the behavior of the world and family.” She explained.
She appreciated the Irish government and the judiciary for taking immediate action to investigate the case to show their solidarity in supporting the victim and the Timorese people for providing support for the victim to get justice. She also thanked the Irish and Timorese people who were there who provided sincere friendship for the victim girl.
“Another incident in September this year occurred in the Moris Foun complex, Comoro, the victim with the initials D.M. received physical violence in the form of beatings from the suspect who is her husband so that she suffered serious injuries on the cheeks and head on the grounds of suspicion which resulted in a condition of almost death.” She added.
Therefore, the violence experienced by adult women mostly comes from husbands and girls who experience it come from families who should protect them, but unfortunately they get violence from their families, such as aggressive violence to the point of losing their lives. Home and family should be a place to share affection and show respect for each other, but it becomes a wild place without affection and trust.
To be clear, the Advocacy Network regrets and condemns all forms of violence as a chain of violence that continues to occur because the implementation of Law No. 7/2010 on Domestic Violence is still not optimal, although there have been various political efforts and initiatives but are still at the ceremonial level. In addition, Timor-Leste women also suffered and died only because of their status as women during the Indonesian era. Don’t let something like this happen again in this independent country.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano