DILI, 27 december 2023 (TATOLI) – Sisto Dos Santos is announced as the winner of The Sérgio Vieira De Mello Human Rights Prize 16th Edition, 2023, Civil and Political Rights Category, from the President of the Republic José Ramos Horta
The President of the Republic has awarded the ‘Sérgio Vieira de Mello’ Human Rights Prize, in recognition and appreciation of the State, to people or organizations that promote and defend human rights in Timor-Leste.
This prize was an initiative of President José Ramos-Horta during his first term in office and began to be awarded in 2008.
Sisto dos Santos is a consistent human rights activist who defends civil and political rights, victims of crimes against humanity by the Indonesian military.
After the restoration of independence, he was active in advocating for economic rights and defending food sovereignty through the Mokatil movement.
The late Sisto dos Santos was also Director of the Rights Foundation and Member of the Board of Chega!
Sisto Dos Santos was pronounced dead at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) on 17 march 2023.
The 2023 Human Rights award “Sergio Vieira de Mello” was open for application, starting from october 23 to november 13, 2023.
There are two categories of the awards, namely Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Civil and political rights will be awarded to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of civil and political rights in the country.
Meanwhile, Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights will be awarded to those who make a significant contribution to the promotion and defense of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
The award’s name refers to a Brazilian diplomat who served as the UN’s transitional administrator in Timor-Leste from December 1999 to May 2002, guiding the country to independence. In 2003 he was killed in a hotel bombing in Baghdad, Iraq.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
