Human rights and democracy in Guyana has received a $23M shot in the arm signalling a partnership for peace, reconciliation and development with the hope of being an example for the Caribbean region.In the interest of promoting human rights,Cheap NFL Jerseys Supply, democracy and conflict prevention in Guyana, the European Commission (EC) signed and awarded the contract to the United Nations Association of Guyana (UNAG) under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).UNAG Chairman, Justice Donald Trotman, and Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Guyana, Ambassador Geert Heikens,Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic, signed the contract at the EC Delegation office.United Nations Association of Guyana chairman, Justice Donald Trotman, signs the contract as Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Guyana, Ambassador Geert Heikens, looks on“Wherever there is conflict there should be peace, wherever there is an abuse of human dignity there must be respect for human rights” said UNAG Chairman, Justice Trotman at the signing ceremony.He added that the association has established several community peace council projects over the years nationwide and intends to get into other areas with supplementary assistance from national and international bodies that are focused on peace, democracy and human rights. He said too “Guyana is not unique in some areas of democratic structures as there are other countries.”The programme will be patterned to the principles and ideals of the instruments of the European convention for the promotion of human rights. Justice Trotman said too that the project would place importance on much of what is set out in Guyana’s constitution “as most of it has so far only been existing on paper in written form.”He said that “We hope to advocate for the rights and freedoms enshrined in our own constitution and relate them to precedents that have been happening in the United Nations system… we expect to translate what is written as these rights and freedoms of our constitution into the lives of our peoples.”In its efforts to work with civil society,jerseys nfl wholesale, the EU focuses attention on issues to enhance dialogue on human rights, human rights defenders, and it also pays attention to the imposers of the death penalty, attitudes against torture,Wholesale Jerseys 2020, child soldiers in conflict areas and violence against women.Over 300,000 Euros are available under the project to Guyana, but the UNAG’s programme for Guyana is valued at $75,000 Euros (G$23M) representing almost three quarters of the overall cost. Another Guyanese group will also be signing an agreement shortly.The association is tasked with providing the remainder amounts of monies for the project.Justice Trotman said the agenda is focused on building the platform for lasting peace, human rights, democracy development that would create an enabling environment for an inclusionary democracy in Guyana.The project should provide increased opportunities for citizen participation and their organization in the management and decision making for their communities while strengthening the role of civil society with focus on human rights, democratic reform, peace and reconciliation.The activities in Guyana cover all administrative areas except regions one and nine and will cover Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Anna Regina, Linden and Corriverton. Those excluded,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, the ambassador assured, will eventually benefit.Handing over the signed documents Ambassador Heikens noted that the UNAG is the first agency to benefit from this programme in Guyana and said too that it is part of the EU commission’s efforts worldwide to work directly with civil society as opposed to governments.He said human rights, and respect for human rights, are important issues for the European Union and as such its efforts are always aimed at enhancing support for such activities. He noted too that the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform is crucial and is the best voice of the people.Ambassador Heikens said too “In this case we are more completely supporting and would like to strengthen the regional and international frameworks for the protection of human rights as is the mandate of the United Nations Association.”The 18-month project dubbed ‘very important’ gives UNAG, a Non-Governmental Organization the opportunity to further work in peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution through its Community Peace Project.Founded in 1970, UNAG has set-up several peace councils in communities throughout Guyana.The European Parliament and the Council adopted EIDHR in December 2006. The Instrument takes the place of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.The entry into force of this specific instrument on January 1, 2007 reflects the high political profile and specific mandates relating to the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It also makes it possible to give financial support for activities to strengthen democracy and human rights in the world under the 2007-2013 financial perspectives.To implement the new instrument, the European Commission has adopted multi-annual strategy papers, which set out in detail the thematic and geographical priorities. The EIDHR Strategy Paper identifies five distinct objectives, forming the response strategy for the period 2007-2010.These include enhancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk and strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, in supporting the peaceful conciliation of group interests and in consolidating political participation and representation.Further, it support actions on human rights and democracy issues in areas covered by EU guidelines,Jerseys From China, including dialogues on human rights, human rights defenders,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, the death penalty, torture, and children and armed conflict.Another is supporting and strengthening the international and regional frameworks for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and the promotion of democracy.It also supports the process of building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, in particular through election observation.The EIDHR Strategy Paper 2007-2010 has identified Objective No. 2 “Strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, in supporting the peaceful conciliation of group interests and in consolidating political participation and representation” to be implemented through Country-Based Support Schemes (CBSS) to be managed directly through call for proposals by the European Commission delegations. |