Sweden, LHRC seal Sh9bn agreement to protect rights
LHRC executive director Anna Henga exchanges documents with Swedish ambassador to Tanzania Anders Sjoberg after signing an agreement that will see Sweden support the centre’s work on human rights in an event held in Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT
What you need to know:
Sweden’s contribution will support LHRC in deepening understanding and respect for human rights among both rights holders and duty bearers in improving the rule of law
Dar es Salaam. Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has signed an agreement with the Swedish embassy, that will see the latter provide SEK36 million (Sh9.03 billion) to support the centre’s work on human rights provision in the country for the period between 2019 and 2021.
The agreement was signed by LHRC executive director Anna Henga and Swedish ambassador to Tanzania Anders Sjöberg. The signing ceremony also marked the launching of LHRC six-year strategic plan (2019-2024).
Sweden’s contribution will support LHRC in deepening understanding and respect for human rights among both rights holders and duty bearers as improving the rule of law.
The contribution will also be used to protect civic space, support legal reforms, promote socio-economic and environmental compliance, accountability and justice.
Furthermore, the details of the agreement indicate that the support will be used to improve legal and policy frameworks that specifically protect the rights of women, children and people living with disabilities.
“Through the programme we will advocate for improvement of legal framework as well as policies, which will see the improvement of lives of women, disabled and those living in difficulties both politically, economically and culturally,” said Ms Henga.
According to her, the support covers all aspects of LHRC’s work that ensures the organization’s own identified priorities.
“The long-standing cooperation has brought about a lot of positive changes in the society including improved access to justice, particularly for the marginalised. It has increased the awareness on human rights and duty bearers among members of the general public,” said Ms Henga.
LHRC also called on the government of Tanzania, the Judiciary, every Tanzanian and all friends of human rights such as Sweden to affirm their commitment towards attaining a just and equitable society
For his part, the Swedish ambassador to Tanzania said the signing of the agreement was a new phase in the longstanding cooperation between the Embassy of Sweden and LHRC.
According to him, the event built on “shared belief in human rights. The rights of everyone to live in dignity, freedom, equality, justice and peace, whoever they are and wherever they live.”
The Swedish Ambassador stressed that: “For all to be able to enjoy their human rights it is important to focus on individuals that have added challenges or are being structurally discriminated.”
In addition to positive developments both LHRC and Sweden noted Tanzania’s ongoing decline in indexes that measure levels of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.
