The European Union (EU) has donated a grant of €200,000 (R3 million) to the Seychelles Human Rights Commission (SHRC) for the promotion of human rights in the country.
The money will be used to fund the ‘Human Rights Promotion in Seychelles’ project by SHRC to educate and sensitise duty bearers and the public at large on human rights.
It will also involve the setting up of an information and legal centre for victims seeking redress.
The funded three-year project is expected to touch, directly or indirectly, at least 40,000 people in the country per year.
The specific outcomes will result in a progressive understanding of human rights and protection laws and an enhanced collaboration with the civil society to address and prevent human rights violations.
It was the ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles, Vincent Degert, and the chief executive of SHRC, Elvis Julie, who signed the state signatories for the disbursement of the grant during the launch of the project at the Eden Bleu Hotel, Eden Island, yesterday morning.
Present were the chairperson of SHRC Bernardin Renaud and other members and staff of the Commission and other ambassadors and representatives of EU member states.
Addressing all present, Ambassador Degert said that the EU is delighted to be able to contribute in the reinforcement of the activity and the capacity of SHRC as member states are deeply attached to the reinforcement of human rights democracy in all of their partner countries.
Ambassador Degert added that the EU has an external policy to work first with governments and parliaments to reinforce legislative framework and also to reinforce the institutions which have the mandates within these institutions’ structure to actually pursue these objectives of promoting human rights.
He noted that the EU is not only bringing money on the table for the project but is also willing to share knowledge, experience and network to reinforce SHRC’s capacity and operational duties.
He stated that they have learned through various stakeholders about issues of gender-based violence in the country, as is happening all over the world, especially in this time of the pandemic, which deserves SHRC’s attention in respect of the way it is being tackled in the country.
Ambassador Degert added that the EU has observed a lack of debates on human rights in many countries and hopes that SHRC hold many debates to help mainstream human rights across the society and all of its activities.
He said that the EU will continue as it has been doing in the past, to support all the non-governmental organisations activists, active in the front in defending human rights here in the country.
On behalf of the Commission, Justice Renaud thanked the EU for its interest and support to SHRC.
He noted that financial assistance will be instrumental in the implementation of SHRC’s education and sensitisation programmes and for the setting up of the centre for those seeking guidance on their rights.
Justice Renaud assured the EU delegates that the ‘Human Rights Promotion in Seychelles’ project will be in line with recommendations made by the United Nations (UN).
He added that with the roll-out of the programme, the commission will also be able to broaden its outreach and update its network.
Explaining the project further to the delegates, project coordinator Andy Jean Louis said the need to strengthen local capacity to promote and protect human rights stems from a lack of understanding and awareness of human rights concepts and obligations by duty bearers, a lack of human rights awareness and understanding on the roles of right holders and a lack of understanding of specific issues faced by vulnerable groups and existing processes/procedures.
The education and training will be directed to government officials in pre-service and service including law enforcement officers, citizens, media and civil society, children from primary and secondary schools and vulnerable groups.
As for the setting up of the Human Rights Information and Legal Centre, SHRC will collaborate with legal professionals and law students to provide information on the mechanisms available to those who feel that their human rights are being violated.
Mr Jean Louis said it is hoped that the working relationships and collaborations established will continue after the three years.
After the presentation, the floor was open for discussion.
SHRC was set up under the Seychelles Human Rights Act 2018 with two main responsibilities – to promote and protect the human rights of all persons in Seychelles. It was through an EU initiative that the 10th EDF Development Fund that started a project in Seychelles in 2008, in relation to human rights, that ended up in the setting of the commission.
