Norway reaffirms commitment to support human rights in Tanzania, signs six years grant with LHRC

On Tuesday, April 16, 2019, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania entered into an agreement with the Legal and Human Rights Centre to support LHRC’s six years strategic plan, 2019 - 2024. The signing ceremony took place at the LHRC’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, where Ambassador Elisabeth Jacobsen and the LHRC’s Executive Director Ms. Anna Henga signed an agreement worth a total of (include the amount of grant)

Norway has been a longstanding partner to LHRC since 2004, its renewed support aims at continued support on human rights and good governance in Tanzania.

Legal and Human Rights being a leading human rights advocacy organization in Tanzania has responded to recent human rights developments by developing a six years strategic plan, 2019 - 2024 aiming at increasing understanding and respect for human rights among rights holders and duty bearers; advocacy for improvement of rule of law, civic space, democracy, constitutional and legal reforms; promotion of socio-economic and environmental compliance, accountability and justice as well as improvement of the legal and policy frameworks governing specific rights of women, children and People with Disabilities (PWDs).

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ms. Anna Henga noted that “Norway is a great partner to Tanzania. The government of Norway recognizes Tanzania as one of her 10 partner countries for long term development. Norway supports Tanzania's goal to become a middle-income country with priorities in the private sector development, renewable energy, and petroleum management, increased revenue mobilization through improved fiscal and financial management, and environment and climate change. The cooperation between LHRC and Royal Norwegian Embassy has positively contributed to increased respect for human rights and the rule of law among both rights holders and duty bearers in Tanzania”.

On her side, the Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania H.E Elisabeth Jacobsen noted that Human Rights has been and still is Norway’s area of focus, hence Norway’s support to LHRC aims at ensuring promotion of human rights in Tanzania. H.E Ambassador Jacobsen insisted on the need for Tanzanians to stand for human rights given the deteriorating trend on freedom of expression.

“Freedom of expression is under pressure in many places in the world. We must stand up for freedom of expression, not because we agree with all views that are expressed, but because freedom of expression is the foundation, on which all other democratic freedoms rest”. said, H.E Jacobsen.

Both LHRC and Royal Norwegian Embassy showed their concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania despite the positive developments. LHRC and Norway made a call to the Government, stakeholders and all Tanzanians to jointly work towards the protection and human rights in Tanzania.

Total funding provided: NOK 18,300,000 for LHRC Operational Plan 2019-2021.

See the attachments for detailed information:

Speech by H.E Elisabeth Jacobsen at the Grant Agreement Signing Ceremony between Legal and Human Rights Centre and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania
Speech by Ms. Anna Henga at the Grant Agreement Signing Ceremony between Legal and Human Rights Centre and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania
LHRC Strategic Plan 2019 - 2024

Contact Information

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)

Michael Mallya – Public Relations and Communications Officer

mallya@humanrights.or.tz

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @humanrightstz

Website: www.humanrights.or.tz