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Swedish Ambassador underscores role of regional human rights bodies in promoting a culture of democracy
Embassy of Sweden
May 19, 2004

The Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, Kristina Svensson, has underscored the important role played by regional institutions in fostering a culture that respects human rights in the region.

Svensson was speaking at the official hand-over ceremony and closing reception for a course on Civil and Political Rights organised by the Southern African Human Rights Trust (SAHRIT). The course was attended by representatives of civic society organisations in the SADC region and covered topics such as the role of regional bodies (e.g. the African Commission on Human and People's Right's) in enforcing human rights.

Ambassador Svensson said through the training provided by SAHRIT, individuals, and consequently human rights organisations, who are equipped with an appreciation of universal human rights and standards and their enforcement would emerge. In turn, this will contribute to informed monitoring and observation of elections using norms and standards developed by institutions such as the SADC Parliamentary Forum. In addition, regional institutions such as the SADC People's Rights would be adequately explored and used as an avenue for seeking redress on human rights violations.

Sweden, through Sida, has provided support to SAHRIT totalling almost US$900,000.00 over three years for regional training programmes on various human rights issues. These programmes have targeted civic society activists and most importantly, law enforcement agents such as the police. Svensson noted that since its establishment in 1998, SAHRIT has done commendable work in the region building capacities of human rights organisations and the police in the area of protecting and enforcing human rights. Sweden has a strong culture of respect for human rights and is proud to be associated with organisations like SAHRIT.

At the reception, books on human rights donated by the Raoul Wallenburg Institute of Human Rights were also handed over to a number of human rights organisations. The books cover various aspects of human rights including refugee rights, children's rights, the use of international human rights instruments and various regional and international conventions.

For more information contact:
Sizani Weza - Communications Officer
Embassy of Sweden
Tel: +263-4-790651/4
Email: sizani.weza@sida.se

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