Interview with Daniel Pereira, Timor Leste

New Tactics: What have you been doing in the 3 months since the Asia Regional Training Workshop?

Daniel: In the months since the workshop in Chiang Mai, I have been carrying out my main program involving research on land and housing issues. Related to the human rights, I think these land and housing issues are very close to one another. In Dili, the capital of Timor Leste, two months ago I updated my friends at my two organizations, namely KSI and Forsane, on the results of the Chiang Mai workshop. I also shared them with my friend Alberto Pinto at Forsane who applied to the workshop but could not attend.

In September, I made a presentation on the legislation about housing policy drafted by my team to members of the government and parliament of East Timor. I also shared the tactical mapping method with community members in Ermera District where people in the community Porema face problems on coffee related issues.

In this case the government (Minister of Agriculture) would take coffee plantations from coffee farmers and hand them over to companies like Timor Global, but the community did not want their plantation to be used by these companies. Because even the suco leader (head of village) collaborated with the central government and the companies, people were very worried about their property. When they came to us, we came to the community overnight and discussed the issue with them. In the discussion when we came to action planning, I promoted the tactical mapping method. In the last month the community by themselves identified the traditional sacred site as a traditional certificate. They also identified the key stakeholders such as NGOs, parliament, and other community groups.

After they collected all the information, they brought it to us and we facilitated its typing on the computer and by themselves they handed it over to the stakeholders, including using media to express what they want. Currently, I am still facilitating in the community and also focusing on eviction issues in Dili city.

What was the most important thing you learned at the workshop?
The most important thing I learned at the workshop was the tactical mapping method which we discussed deeply through village teams (my village team focused on housing which is very closely related to my work in Timor Leste).

Have you approached your work differently since returning? How?
Yes, the most important thing I learned at the workshop was tactical mapping. Even though it is different from previous approaches I used, it really completed and relevant alternative approach when I help community that are which facing serious problems (the violation of community rights).

Talk about your work with coffee growers and land rights. Have you applied any new tactics to address this issue? If not, are you considering any new tactics?
Yes. I have started using tactical mapping, as well as the spectrum of allies exercise. I think I will also be considering other new tactics in the future, but it depends on the conditions and issues.

In your opinion, what is the biggest human rights challenge facing Timor Leste?
The biggest human rights challenge facing Timor Leste now is forced eviction. Domestic law has provided the opportunity to the government to conduct forced evictions from housing and land. Members of the police force lack of adequate civic education and training, so from time to time they are also involved in the violation of human rights. 

Where can others learn more about the work of KSI?
At the moment KSI is setting up its website. Through the website, others can know the work of KSI. On the other hand, KSI is also involved in networking organizations such as the working group, FORUM NGO, the Forum for Sustainable Agriculture of East Timor, and international organizations such as COHRE, Asia Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR), APCET, etc.

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