On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the EU Delegation to
Sri Lanka and the Maldives has unveiled a number of important new projects to
support human rights and civil society in Sri Lanka. These seven projects are
funded under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and
the Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities (CSO/LA) thematic
instrument.
The EU will be channeling approximately LKR 813.7 million
(EUR 4 million) to the following civil society organizations: ACTED, SRI LANKA
CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT FACILITATION, Search for Common Ground, Helvetas
Intercooperation GGMBH, Chrysalis, Humanity & Inclusion and FAGLIGT FALLES
FORBUND FORENING–3F, who will work jointly with their local partners to promote
social rights, women's empowerment, and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.
These projects will also help build the capacities of local communities and
stakeholders, including the media, lawyers, and women's rights organizations.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony, the Ambassador of
the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, H.E. Denis
Chaibi said, "We cannot take human rights for granted. We know the
struggles that are still taking place."
Human rights, rule of law and democracy are core values of
the European Union (EU). Sustainable peace and stability, long-term development
and prosperity cannot exist without respect for human rights and democratic
institutions. The European Union actively promotes and defends these values and
principles both within its borders and when engaging in relations with external
countries.
Over the last 10 years, the EU has funded around 80 projects
(for a total value of €25 million) through the EIDHR and CSO/LA instruments to
support human rights and civil society organizations in Sri Lanka. This comes
in addition to the EU-Sri Lanka bilateral cooperation (approximately €760
million - LKR 123 billion for the last decade) in fields as diverse as rural
development, humanitarian aid, reconciliation, governance and public finance
management.
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