EC to support democracy, human rights project

The European Commission is to provide financial assistance to Eritrea under an initiative to back democracy and human rights. The funding will be released under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) which is aimed at "supporting democracy, good governance, the rule of law and promoting the building of sound and durable democratic societies", the EC said in a statement. According to the statement, Eritrea had been selected as one of the "focus countries" where EIDHR support "can achieve greater impact and complement other community assistance programmes and EU political dialogue". It said 580 global proposals were received, out of which 51 were selected for funding in 2003 amounting to a total of € 31 million. An EC official told IRIN a mission would determine how the money would be allocated, and the project was still in the planning stages. Late last year, the Commission and Eritrea signed a strategy document and a programme of cooperation worth € 96.8 million for five years until 2007, aimed at poverty alleviation and social and economic development. The short-term strategy revolves around post-war rehabilitation, assistance in demobilisation and reintegration, and help for long-term development - particularly in transport and education. But, the EC pointed out, the assistance depends on Eritrea's stated commitment to begin a political dialogue aimed at addressing issues such as political prisoners, press freedom and the holding of elections. In September 2001, the authorities jailed 11 prominent government dissidents and suspended the free press. The government later postponed parliamentary elections, scheduled for December 2001, saying the time was not yet right for the polls. Under article 96 of the Contonou agreement (which governs accords between the EU and African, Pacific and Caribbean [ACP] countries) aid can be withheld if any EU member state feels the recipient country has "failed to fulfil its obligations stemming from respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law".