Dili, August 01, 2026 (Media Democracia) – East Timor Blind Union (ETBU) Holds Press Conference to Condemn Alleged Immoral Act and Sexual Harassment by MdC in ETBU Building on 15/07.
ETBU spokesperson, Maria Filomena de Fátima Ferreira, said the organization reminded fellow blind persons and the public that the director with the initials MdC showed bad behavior by using the workplace to commit immoral acts that undermine the dignity of women and members.
“This case isn’t just rumor and hearsay, but it really happened because there’s evidence. At that time, some members managed to collect strong and very clear evidence such as a video over five minutes long, which clearly shows that the director was committing the sexual act in the workplace.” The spokesperson said during a press conference on Tuesday (28/07).
Maria explained that on July 23 (23/07), some members used social media to post the video to demand justice.
“On July 23, 2026, some members managed to use social media such as Facebook to post the video to demand justice. But with a lack of sensitivity and responsibility, the President of the Fiscal Council, Mrs. Paulina Sequeira, and her structure haven’t yet made any concrete sanction decision regarding this immoral act.” She said.
She emphasized that according to information they received, the Board had summoned MdC and warned him not to commit such a case again in the future.
“According to the information we received, the Board gave a warning to Mr. MdC not to commit such a case again. All of us members consider that this attitude doesn’t show good leadership, cannot be tolerated and isn’t just, because sexual harassment is a serious violation that must receive a strong and rigorous decision and sanction according to the organization’s statute and the laws in force in Timor-Leste.” She stated.
Because of this, East Timor Blind Union (ETBU) urgently calls on the President of the Fiscal Council and the entire structure to make a rigorous decision to exonerate MdC from his position.
“For this immoral act, we consider that if it is left like this, it will only damage and destroy ETBU’s public image and public trust.” Maria Filomena recommended.
The spokesperson also demanded the commitment that the President of the Fiscal Council made on the campaign stage at the ETBU Congress on April 27, 2026, that during her mandate she wouldn’t tolerate any member who practices sexual harassment against female members, and is ready to uphold and protect the dignity of our fellow women.
She said that even before one year of the mandate is over, the opposite behavior has already occurred and there was intervention. Because of this she calls on the founders and fiscal council to make a decision to save the dignity, humanitarian values, and future of the organization.
On the other hand, according to a confirmed source, as a founder, when the organization was established its objective was not to practice acts such as harassment and violence. And this has happened repeatedly, and this one is the most serious because there is a video that has gone viral on social media.
“So all national and international founders deeply regret it when we do something involving a relationship between a woman and a man, especially concerning biological needs, when we do it in the office, whether it is consensual or forced, even if it is consensual, it is not authorized, let alone if it is forced.” the confirmed source said via telephone to Democracia media journalist on Friday (31/07).
She said they also have strong and strict internal rules that absolutely prohibit such behavior. If someone has a need, they must go somewhere else, they cannot practice such acts in the building.
She admitted that they also don’t know who published the video that went viral on social media.
“So as founders we have a moral responsibility. If a member speaks up we must support that member, because she is a woman with a disability. If it was a mistake we could talk and discuss it properly, but this suspect is a married man and his wife and children have been left behind in Baucau.” She clarified.
Sources: The confirmed source also said that in the near future a decision will be made in order to restore the organization and ensure that it continues to exist.
Report By: Estefania Cardoso