JSMP’s involvement in the recruitment process of the Deputy Ombudsmen and meeting with the newly nominated Deputy Ombudsman

In order to ensure that the members of the Timor-Leste National Human Rights Institution and the Ombudsman of Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ)  can have good representation based on merit, pluralism and gender balance aligned with the Paris Principles, Dr. Silveiro Pinto Baptista, within the mandate of the ex-Ombudsman, established a mechanism with selection panel that includes academics and representatives from the Office of Public Prosecution, civil society, and PDHJ itself in the selection and recruitment of the two Deputies Ombudsmen. This mechanism is continued by the newly-elected Ombudsman. In this process, Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) has been represented by its Director Mr. Luis de Oliveira Sampaio.

It was the second time JSMP was invited to represent civil society to involve in a panel for the selection and recruitment process for Deputy Ombudsmen. There were more than ten applicants applying for the position of Deputy Ombudsman for human rights and justice and Deputy Ombudsman for good governance. The panel members went through this process and in the document selection process, there were only five of them who met the requirement to go to the next step for writing test and interview. Two were selected to hold the position as the Deputies. One of the female Deputy is Ms. Benecia Magno.

On 28 March 2019, the Deputy Ombudsman, Ms. Beneçia Magno and Director for Good Governance visited the office of JSMP. Discussions took place regarding how JSMP promotes and protects human rights and what strategies could be implemented to establish cooperation between PDHJ and JSMP, such as facilitating trainings to police and military, on justice and human rights issues. Through the meeting, Deputy Ombudsman recommended JSMP to share its role in relation to the Court and Parliament monitoring with PDHJ’s staff, so PDHJ can get familiar with JSMP’s work.