Dili, 26 February 2025 – The Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have officially extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for the period 2025–2027. The signing ceremony took place at F-FDTL Headquarters in Fatuhada, Dili, and was attended by CVTL Secretary-General Mr. Luis Pedro Pinto, the head of the ICRC office in Dili, Mr. Joao Martins Alves, and senior F-FDTL officials.
During the ceremony, Johan Guillaume, Deputy Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, emphasized the significance of strengthening cooperation between ICRC and F-FDTL. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to integrate IHL principles into military operations, ensuring that armed forces personnel uphold humanitarian standards in their duties.
The MoU also reinforces the coordination between ICRC, F-FDTL, and CVTL, the national Red Cross Society, in promoting IHL implementation and humanitarian actions in Timor-Leste. This partnership aims to enhance the knowledge and awareness of military personnel, ensuring their readiness to operate in accordance with humanitarian principles.
Chefe Estado Maior General das Forças Armadas (Lieutenant General, Chief of the General), Falur Rate Laek, expressed his gratitude to both ICRC and CVTL for their dedication to humanitarian issues. He acknowledged their continuous support from the past conflict period to the present, emphasizing that their commitment remains crucial in times of peace.
The signing ceremony marked an important step toward further collaboration between the Red Cross and F-FDTL. The renewed agreement paves the way for more structured training and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that Timor-Leste’s armed forces continue to uphold international humanitarian law standards in their operations.
For more pictures click link below signing MoU
