Dili, 03 February 2026 (Média Democracia) - HAK Association together with FONGTIL held a press conference to declare to the public about evictions in Dili, many communities are still facing, due to undignified treatment. The coference was heald at HAK Association Farol Dili, Monday this week.
Spokeperson Norberto da Costa explains, in the statement after more than 20 years of self-rule, Timor-Leste’s development has made significant progress in varios sectors. This is a contribution from the State’s Public Policy which the Government has been implementing to provide development and satisfaction to its citizens.
“The real situation is leading to problems and public policy is still not coherent to provide immediate responses, this is the society’s preoccupation to fulfill the citizens fundamental rights.Citizens rights to social economy and culture are still being violated, especially the right to access adequate housing. A person’s life depends on land, and land is a very important factor for a person’s life.” Says spokeperson Norberto da Costa
The spokeperson informs that in April 2024, the IX Government through the Secretary of State for Toponomy and Urban Organization – SEATOU, started implementing many forced evictions in the capital Dili and other Municipalities.
“The Timor-Leste Government justifies the evictions that ocurred during 2024-2026 based on varios reasons to ensure hygiene and public order, for national development, to remove communities from risk areas and claims the communities”occupy” state land. The reality show that these evictions don’t follow the existing legal process, are implemented without consultation and proper notification, use disproportionate force and don’t offer proper compesation or adequate housing as written in national law.” Informs the Spokeperson
The spokeperson affirms, according to the Expropriation for Public Utility Law, law 8/2017-Article 41, it states that a community’s house and land cannot be demolished if the community has not yet received adequate compensation, including other laws.
“The real human rights situation, communities are still facing evictions without dignified treatment, this is a serious human rights violation, there is no dignified and apropriate place for communities to carry out their economic activities. Development is for people, that’s why development must put people at the center.” Affirms spokeperson Norberto da Costa
He reports, HAK as a Human Rights Organization, strongly condems the forced eviction carried out by the Government trhough the Secretary of State for Toponomy and Urban Organization – SEATOU because it doesn’t follow the Legal Norms set out in the law.
“We demand and ask the Government through SEATOU to conduuct evictions that are just and according to the law, dialogue eith the affected communities to guarantee the rights of the affected communities, because it’s been a year since the road expansion process, but the affected communities still haven’t received indemnification.” Reports Norberto da Costa
The spokeperson emphasizes, the Government should prepare strategies, programs and budget to ensure the right to land and secure housing for vulnerable commnunities to avoid illegal occupation of land in the future (including sustainable social housing poliicy). Futhermore, the Government should comply with a strengthen the implementation of existing laws. He asks the Government to provide transparent and good faith indemnization to the affected communities for their home and land, according to the expropriation law no. 8/2017, as it is a state obligation.
He futher expalins, trhough this press release, to asks the Government and the joint team led by SEATOU to continue to guarantee other basic rights of the community, such as access to clean water, because it’s been a year since the raod expansions project has been ongoing, damaging the water system in the Becora-Kuluhun area, making difficult for communities to access clean water.
Reporting : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano