A/HRC/42/37/Add.2
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
2 August 2019
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Forty-second session
9–27 September 2019
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Visit to Timor-Leste
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous
peoples*, **
Summary
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz,
visited Timor-Leste from 8 to 16 April 2019.
Timorese indigenous culture and languages are particularly diverse and have been
retained throughout colonization and occupation. The vast majority of the population shares
indigenous values and spiritual beliefs which are reflected in strong local institutions, the
customary justice system and communal land management. Indigenous practices have
translated into important gains in environmental protection and biodiversity that can serve
as inspiring examples for other countries. Further harmonization between the formal and
customary justice systems is important to strengthen access to justice for all. Timor-Leste
has made strong commitments to human rights standards and national rights-based
development policies; however, additional resource allocations are required to ensure their
effective implementation and monitoring, notably in the areas of education, health and
nutrition.
The present report contains recommendations relating to, inter alia, the formal and
customary justice systems, land tenure, consultation and consent, conservation and climate
change adaptation measures, education and nutrition.
* Agreement was reached to publish the present report after the standard publication date owing to
circumstances beyond the submitter’s control.
** The summary of the report is being circulated in all official languages. The report itself, which is
annexed to the summary, is being circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.19-13251(E)