The four projects, with a duration of two to three years, were selected following a call for proposals with a view to strengthening protection and respect for human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms in Angola, in the areas of greatest risk.
Specifically, projects were intended to contribute to the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights, combating gender-based violence and strengthening the right to information and freedom of expression.
Projects selected were "Pelas Meninas e Mulheres de Cabinda" by the organizations World Vision and Salesianos Dom Bosco de Angola, which aims to strengthen civil society organizations and create a network of activists for the elimination of gender violence, and "Ampliando direitos, construindo o futuro" of ADRA - Action for Rural Development and Environment, aimed at respecting the sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents and young people, and reducing vulnerability in rural areas of the provinces of Huambo and Malanje.
The "Mudança" projects, by the Support League for the Integration of the Disabled (Lardef), aimed at the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities in Angola, and "A Voz do Jornalista – Fase II", implemented by Radio Ecclesia and the Sindicato de Angolan journalists, to reinforce the role of journalists in terms of guaranteeing human rights and freedom of press and information were also chosen.
Speaking at the end of the ceremony, the EU embassy, Jeannete Seppen, said that the European Union maintains an annual dialogue with the Angolan Government on these issues.
Asked about the most recent report by the organization Human Rights Watch, which identified threats to freedom of expression and press and police violence as main concerns, the diplomat said that it has not yet been discussed with the Angolan authorities.
"We took a very good note of this report, we are dealing with (these themes) in our dialogue, but also in our concrete actions, since the projects that we finance and will continue to finance also deal with these themes", said Seppen.
The diplomat underlined that Angola and the European Union maintain "a partnership relationship" in which "many subjects" are discussed, including human rights, "an extremely important theme" in European politics.
"We will continue to work with the Government of Angola, in favor of all Angolans so that the challenges we have in terms of human rights have a positive follow-up", added Jeannette Seppen.
The Secretary of State for Justice for Human Rights and Citizenship, Ana Celeste Januário stressed that, in this bilateral dialogue, issues are put on the table and discussed by both parties.
"It is not an assessment of Angola or the EU, each of the parties presents its vision and says how it has been working, there are more critical points for us and others that are more critical for the EU, it is an exchange dialogue of information and experiences and it is on this basis that we work", said Celeste Januário to Lusa.
