Paulina Quintao – Human Rights Activist, Joao Soares Pequinho, believes the Timor-Leste's government failed to implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for better legislation protecting the rights of Timorese children and in providing children with adequate social assistance.
He said the Timorese Government back in 2007 presented the first report to the CRC in Geneva, receiving altogether 48 general recommendations to develop policies that address the challenges affecting children in the country across all sectors.
"The justice sector is empty in terms of legislation. The education sector lacks facilities, infrastructure and teachers. The health sector registers increasing levels of malnutrition. Child mortality is high," said Pequinho, in Fatuhada, Dili.
He added the CRC recommended the Timorese government prioritize legislation and laws protecting children such as the development of a Children's Code, the Juvenile Justice Law and resourcing judicial entities so these can deal with children's issues.
The activist is also concerned with the statutes for the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (KNDL), that hasn't yet been established by the government, having a direct impact on the ability of the KNDL to protect children.
"The Ministry of Justice has not established [KNDL] with an autonomous statute so violation cases involving children and ministerial interventions linked to the budget cannot be addressed," said Activist Pequinho also.
Meanwhile the Program Coordinator for Child Protection, at NGO Forum Tau Matan, Honorio Almeida, agrees the government failed to address the concerns raised by the CRC.
"The government in not sincere about children's issues because it has been five years and there still isn't a juvenile justice law, a children's code, students are still sitting on hard floors at school. Malnutrition is still high and children are still working," said Coordinator Almeida.
In the meantime, Vice Minister of Justice, Ivo Valente, noted the government has not fulfilled children's rights 100% but has undertaken some initiatives whilst some others are underway.
VM Valente said Timor-Leste as a member of the CRC is committed and obliged to implement the recommendations of the CRC and improve the lives of children in the country.
"The Juvenile Justice Law and the Child Code has been in the National Parliament, waiting for debate and waiting to be approved. The government also intends to build a detention centre for children who commit serious crimes. Construction will start next year," added VM Valente.