Background:

Since independence, Timor-Leste has faced daunting challenges to establishing a viable state and a representative democracy. Nonetheless, progress has been made with Timor-Leste conducting multiple free and fair elections, most recently in 2012. Yet the country still lacks the fundamental governance systems essential to adequately respond to persistently high rates of poverty, unemployment, growing socioeconomic inequality and unresolved conflict. The country faces challenges upholding human rights, reducing impunity and increasing access to basic public services.

 

USAID partners with the Government of Timor-Leste to build the resiliency of democratic institutions and further consolidate good governance practices. USAID also partners with the judiciary and legal service providers in Timor-Leste to facilitate access to justice for rural populations.

Summary:

The Strengthening Decentralization in the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) Project is implemented by PDHJ through a direct, government-to-government (G2G) support grant.  The project works with PDHJ to build the capacity of PDHJ staff at four regional offices, increase community awareness of PDHJ’s role and mandate by conducting nationwide outreach events and producing and distributing PDHJ promotional materials, increase PDHJ’s own awareness of governance and human rights issues affecting communities in rural areas by developing and piloting investigation and monitoring systems at regional offices, and improve PDHJ’s human and organizational capacity by training PDHJ’s staff and strengthening its coordination and management system.  The project improves PDHJ’s ability to advocate for human rights and good governance by increasing community understanding of PDHJ and improving its performance.