ETAN's Charles Scheiner receives Timor-Leste's Princess Grace of Monaco award

Congratulations to ETAN co-founder Charles Scheiner for being in the first group of recipients of Timor-Leste's parliament “Princess Grace of Monaco” award for his work in solidarity with Timor's struggle for independence.Charles currently serves on ETAN's board and is on staff of La'o Hamutuk.

Charles is donating the $2500 that accompanies the award to Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal (ANTI).

In an open letter, he writes

One of the most critical unfinished aspects of the struggle for independence is ongoing impunity. Until the major perpetrators of serious crimes from 1975 to 1999 are held accountable for their actions – which is primarily an international responsibility – the peoples of Timor-Leste and Indonesia will not live in peace. Cycles of impunity, lawlessness and violence will continue, preventing the stability, security and development which Timor-Leste’s people have fought for. 

Today, a new generation of young activists has joined Timor-Leste’s struggle for justice and human rights, through ANTI and other movements. Once again, I am fortunate to participate in their campaign, and I thank Parliament for enabling me to provide some much-needed financial support for their work.

The other deserving recipients were Rob Wesley-Smith and Kevin Sherlock of Australia, Kalle Sysikaski of Finland, George Junus Aditjondro of Indonesia, Colin Iles from New Zealand, Luisa Teotonia Pereira (in absentia) from Portugal, and Timorese Alexandrino Xavier Araújo (PNTL), Reverendu Padre Adriano Ola Duli and Colonel Cornélio Ximenes Maunana Bobar Mate (FDTL).

video from Tempo Semanal below