EU awards Malaysia's human rights commission a grant to implement project on human rights

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU) Delegation in Malaysia and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) signed a contract to implement a three-year project on human rights with an estimated grant of Euro 500,000 (RM2.31 million). SUHAKAM in a statement Thursday said the signatories were EU Ambassador to Malaysia Michalis Rokas and SUHAKAM Chairman Professor Dr Rahmat Mohamad. It said the project under the 'Widening Democratic Space, Strengthening the Rule of Law, and Promoting Respect for and Protecting Human Rights In Malaysia' call, is scheduled to kick off on Jan 1, 2023, and will be carried out at various locations throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. "This is the third time SUHAKAM and the EU are embarking on a joint initiative and both sides look forward to the collaboration, towards achieving common goals in the democratic and human rights space for the country," the statement read. SUHAKAM said its project on 'Advancing Human Rights in Malaysia Via Strategic Approaches in Education and Awareness Raising', has the overall objective to inculcate an environment where human rights principles were understood, accepted, respected, and protected. The project’s three main purpose are the conduct of relevant researches to advance human rights; awareness raising and community promotion on human rights principles; and capacity-building of human rights proponents, targeting a diverse range of beneficiaries including government agencies, legal practitioners, civil society organisations, grass root communities, and SUHAKAM’s workforce. -- BERNAMA