Australian volunteer supports child protection in Timor-Leste
As a Legal Mentor for Child Rights Advocacy, Charuka Samarasekara partnered with Timor-Leste child protection organisation INDDICA.
Australian volunteer Charuka Priyadarshana Samarasekara has supported the work of the Instituto para a Defesa dos Direitos da Criança (INDDICA) in enhancing child protection in Timor-Leste. INDDICA works to raise public awareness about children’s rights and ensure the Government upholds child protection.
With almost half (46%) of Timor-Leste's population under the age of 18*, the country faces significant challenges when it comes to protecting children from domestic violence and institutional abuse.
As a Legal Mentor for Child Rights Advocacy, Charuka strengthened the capacity of INDDICA’s legal team, particularly in cases involving child abandonment, abuse, and custody disputes. He was actively involved in mediation efforts to resolve cases on child custody, while preventing harm to the children involved.
He also helped draft legal perspectives and recommendations for referrals to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the General Prosecutor’s Office. Charuka drew on his experience of how similar cases are handled in Australia and offered valuable insights that have strengthened INDDICA's approach.
Timor-Leste recently became a member of the Pathfinding Global Alliance coordinated by The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence Against Children. The Alliance brings together countries committed to eradicating all forms of violence against children by 2030.
INDDICA is committed to this cause, and Charuka played a key role in reviewing the country’s commitment document for this initiative.
The Ministry of Justice has a commitment to implementing laws and establishing rehabilitation centres for children involved in violence or conflict by 2026. Charuka played an important part in reviewing the draft of the new legislation (which has been in development since 2015) to ensure its provisions remain relevant to today’s challenges.
Charuka’s support also strengthened INNDICA’s advocacy efforts. The organisation has become more proactive, regularly reminding political leaders about child protection issues. As a result, several government members and community leaders have realised that child protection is part of their responsibility. The government’s response time to INDIDICA’s recommendation towards certain issues has significantly improved, which is essential to the progress on child protection in Timor-Leste.
The team at INNDICA has valued Charuka’s ‘professionalism and teamwork’ and how he always consults with his colleagues. ‘He is keen to understand the culture, so his colleagues don’t hesitate to ask him questions,’ says his counterpart.
*According to UNICEF
