On the 55th Human Rights Day, the Foreign
Affairs Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Chris Gallus, announced initiatives
to further promote and protect human rights in the Asia-Pacific region.
'Australia will commit $1.5 million over three years to support the Asia
Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, building on the $2.3
million provided to the forum since its establishment in 1996,' Mrs Gallus
said.
The Parliamentary Secretary also announced the recipients of the 2003-04
Human Rights Small Grants Scheme that supports regional organisations in
promoting and protecting human rights.
'Judges, lawyers, police, community leaders and other citizens in Bangladesh,
Laos, India and Sri Lanka will receive Australian support for human rights
training activities,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia will also fund human rights monitoring of the legal and judicial
system in East Timor, and activities to protect the rights of women and
children in the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
Sri Lanka + 2 more