The Nobel Peace Prize laureate highlighted the “protection of civilians, accountability of perpetrators, and safe and unhindered humanitarian access,” stressing the condemnation of “all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law wherever they occur,” in a speech delivered in Geneva at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, which began on Monday in that Swiss city.
Speech by José Ramos-Horta starting at 1:09:08.
Regarding Myanmar (Burma), where the military junta ordered the expulsion of the Chargé d’Affaires of Timor-Leste’s Embassy after the country’s Public Prosecutor’s Office received a criminal complaint for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Timorese President said that his country subscribes to the five-point consensus adopted by the ASEAN.
“Everyone must cease deployments and allow space for inclusive dialogue among all nationalities and leaders, including the military, focusing on facilitating humanitarian assistance to all, normalizing community life, and restoring public institutions,” he said.
José Ramos-Horta also expressed “deep concern” over violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine and called for an immediate ceasefire and respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It seems that Russia and Ukraine will have to reach a compromise, make concessions, without losing face, without either side being the sole winner or the sole loser,” he said, stressing that the winners would be the peoples of both countries, as well as Europe.
“And we would all feel some relief, since the war has caused serious global disruptions and increased the prices of wheat and other foodstuffs on which tens of millions of people depend,” he added.
The Timorese President also reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s support for the right of the Palestine people to self-determination and called for an end to armed attacks against unarmed civilians, as well as special protection for women and children.
“Hamas is no saint. With the same conviction, we condemn all forms of antisemitism and reiterate, without reservation, our support for Israel’s right to security within internationally recognized borders,” Ramos-Horta said.
In his speech, the Head of State said that Palestinians and Israelis must “reflect on their miscalculations and missed opportunities, with a view to a viable two-state solution,” and praised the efforts of Donald Trump and Arab countries for humanitarian contributions and mediation initiatives.
“Regarding Cuba, in line with the best humanitarian values and traditions of the American people, I appeal to President Donald Trump to end the blockade of Cuba and engage the Cuban government in dialogue with a view to ending 70 years of hostility,” he said.
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Ramos-Horta also recalled the humanitarian crises in the Sahel, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen, which “remain sidelined,” with populations facing widespread hunger and malnutrition.
“Timor-Leste reaffirms the conviction that human rights, peace, and development are inseparable. There can be no sustainable development without respect for human dignity, nor lasting peace where rights are systematically violated,” he added, calling for courageous, solidaristic, and humane responses to the expectations of the world’s peoples.
