The European Union launched six new human rights projects in Bangladesh on Monday.
The development takes place at a time when Bangladesh is presenting in Geneva its achievements and challenges in the areas of human rights to the international community within the Universal Periodic Review process (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council, said an EU press statement. “The government has pointed out in its UPR report of January that an impressive number of legislative improvements and new institutions to safeguard human rights have been initiated in recent years,” said Philippe Jacques, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation in Bangladesh.
“It is our view that civil society plays a critical role in making these laws and institutions a reality and in monitoring the related reforms. This is why the European Parliament has set up the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) to provide funding to human rights organisations worldwide. Under this programme six new NGOs are financed in Bangladesh,” he said.
The projects will be implemented by OXFAM, Manab Mukti Sangstha, Handicap International, Democracy watch, the Society for Environment and Human Development and Action on Disability and Development. Financial support of up to Tk 3 crore for each action is available.
-With The Independent input
