The 1st Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting for 2024 commenced with an opening address from Virgilio da Silva Guterres, Chairperson of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) of Timor-Leste. Chairperson Guterres welcomed SEANF members both in person and online, underscoring SEANF’s role as a vital platform for regional cooperation in promoting human rights across Southeast Asia.
He highlighted key topics of discussion for the meeting, including cross-border human rights issues and statelessness, with a particular focus on the concerns facing Timor-Leste. The Chairperson encouraged members to collaborate on addressing these critical issues through shared efforts and bilateral cooperation.