Dili, October 14, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture (MESSK) convened a meeting with the leadership of the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), urging them to accelerate the handling of sexual harassment cases within the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FCSP). The meeting took place in the MESSK conference room in Dili.
In an interview, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, said that earlier today he called UNTL’s leadership to present and discuss the recent incidents of sexual harassment that occurred over the past few weeks and went viral on social media, involving cases within the Department of Public Policy at FCSP.
“Therefore, this morning I called UNTL’s leadership to come here and urged them to accelerate the process of the sexual harassment case that occurred at the Faculty of Social Sciences. As you all know, in recent weeks the case has gone viral on social media and students have also held a press conference. For this reason, as Minister, I asked to carefully look into this matter,” said Minister José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo.
The Minister also revealed that the Ministry has already signed an agreement with UN Women concerning campus safety, and thus will monitor these cases individually. He stated that during the meeting, the Ministry appealed to the university’s leadership to expedite the process of the ongoing case.
“The Disciplinary Council has already sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (KFP) since the suspect is a public servant. Only after that will the KFP issue a decision regarding the lecturer involved in the case. I appeal to the university to ensure campus safety for students. Every educational institution must respect its students, and students should report to the relevant authorities if a lecturer commits sexual harassment against them,” the Minister explained.
The government official added that the National University of Timor-Leste has already suspended MFB, the lecturer accused of committing sexual harassment within the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Department of Public Policy.
“UNTL itself has already suspended lecturer MFB, preventing him from teaching while his case is ongoing. However, whether or not he will be allowed to continue teaching later depends on the decision of the Public Service Commission, since he is a public servant,” the Minister added.
He stressed that ethics, morality, and mutual respect are essential values for both lecturers and students, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
“Our culture is not one of anarchy or brutality, but one of dialogue. Therefore, I urge UNTL’s leadership to hold regular meetings to stay informed about developments. Cases like this must be handled with urgency and sensitivity, we cannot allow them to worsen,” said Minister José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo.
Regarding the sexual harassment case in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMCS), Minister José Honório confirmed that the Dean had informed him that the professor involved has already requested suspension from his position, and that the final decision is now awaiting review from the Public Service Commission (KFP).
Report: Domingas
Photo: Domingas