Dili, Sept. 17, 2025 (Lusa) - Several civil society organisations from Timor-Leste joined Wednesday's third day of protest by university students in Dili to denounce the social injustices that remain in the country.
"We too know and feel the injustices in our country," Pipitu Kadalak, coordinator of the Timorese LGBTQ community, told Lusa after a public speech at the demonstration in front of the National Parliament.
"I see that the people are not living well. I used to work for PLAN International in rural areas and we realised that many people live in poverty, many don't have access to drinking water, quality infrastructure or a proper education. This is a major failure on the part of the state, which claims to be committed to development, but in reality doesn't deliver," the activist lamented.
The LGBTQ community coordinator also criticised the MPs for not presenting the results of their oversight actions.
"The MPs say they monitor the people, but where are the results? That's what we demand," said Pipitu Kadalak.
"As long as they [the MPs] don't eliminate pensions for life and improve the living conditions of the population, we will continue to stand firm with the students," he said.
Also with the students was the organisation that fights for the rights of people with special needs.
"Timor-Leste has become a failed state. The schools are dilapidated, in ruins, there aren't enough teachers, the health sector is struggling, agriculture is weakened, and the rate of malnutrition is increasing. Don't they see that?" asked Justino da Costa, a representative of the movement of people with special needs.
Justino da Costa also declared his support for university students to "form a force of resistance against injustice in the country".
'We need to end pensions for life to put an end to abusive power and allocate these resources to strategic sectors,' said Justino da Costa, pointing out that the allowance given to people with disabilities is $60.
The government director of the HAK Association, a non-governmental human rights organisation, Feliciano da Costa, also criticised the MPs for discussing issues that only defend their interests.
"Dear members of the PNTL who are here, with uniforms already worn out and salaries that the government has never bothered to review. Even so, you ask the police to ensure that you are safe," said Feliciano da Costa.
Feliciano Costa also spoke in defence of Timor-Leste's sea, lamenting the lack of conditions for patrolling it.
"If possible, buy boats for the Maritime Police so that they can survive and equip them with uniforms," he told the Timorese MPs and government leaders, asking them to focus on security, education, health and basic infrastructure when discussing the next State Budget.
The third day of protests by Timorese university students, the day with the largest number of people, is taking place without incident.
The young people are also receiving support from Timorese citizens, who are contributing water and food.
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