In 2012, Global Human Rights Defence (ghrd) received a significant grant from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement the program “Raising Voices for Minority Rights,” which aims to train and empower human rights defenders in South Asia and raise public and institutional awareness to strengthen minorities within civil society. The organization has been expanding its network in Pakistan and Bangladesh, collaborating with partner organizations to improve human rights situations. ghrd closed the year with a weeklong European lobby tour with human rights activists from Bangladesh and Pakistan, discussing political issues such as elections and minority persecution. The panel discussion highlighted the importance of civil society collaboration between the two countries for reconciliation.