Sweden signs new agreement with Legal and Human Rights Centre to continue improving the state of human rights in Tanzania
On Wednesday 23rd of January, the Embassy of Sweden signed a cooperation agreement with Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) covering the period 2019-2021, within LHRC’s strategic plan 2019-2024. The agreement was officially signed by the Ambassador Anders Sjöberg and LHRC’s Executive Director Ms. Anna Hengaat the office of LHRC in Dar es Salaam.
Sweden’s contribution will support LHRC in: deepening the understanding and respect for human rights among both rights holders and duty bearers; improving the rule of law, protecting civic space, and supporting legal reforms; promoting socio-economic and environmental compliance, accountability and justice; improving the legal and policy frameworks that specifically protect the rights of women, children and people living with disabilities; and improving LHRC’s own effectiveness in delivering its mandate.
“This is a new phase in a longstanding cooperation between Embassy of Sweden and LHRC. It builds on our 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.” said Anders Sjöberg, the Ambassador of Sweden.
Thesupport covers all aspects of LHRC’s work which ensures it is the organization’s own identified priorities that are supported.
The understanding of the importance of human rights is, furthermore, shared between Sweden and Tanzania as joint parties to the majority of International Human Rights Conventions. Moreover, LHRC’s focus on the realisation of rights for the most marginalised, supports the two countries’ common commitment as members of the United Nations to Leave No One Behind in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
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.”
Ms Anna Henga, Executive Director of LHRC stated that “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 of human rights among members of the general public and duty bearers. And it has enhanced advocacy for reforms for human rights sensitive laws and policies, just to mention a few.”.
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.
LHRC ended their intervention by calling “on the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Judiciary, every Tanzanian and all friends of human rights like Sweden to affirm their commitment towards attaining a Just and Equitable Society”.
Total funding provided: 36 M SEK for LHRC Operational Plan 2019-2021.
See the attachements for detailed information:
LHRC Strategic Plan 2019 - 2024
Contact information:
Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
Michael Mallya, Public Relations Officer
mallya@humanrights.or.tz
Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @humanrightstz
Website: www.humanrights.or.tz
Julia Währner, Project Assistant
julia.wahrner@gov.se
Twitter: @SwedeninTZ
Facebook: Embassy of Sweden in Dar es Salaam
