Peacebuilding and Human Rights Situation Monitoring Programme

This initiative aims to strengthen the depth of understanding among NGOs and civil society of the conflict in Nepal and its peaceful resolution.

Description

The initiative has been designed to develop and strengthen the capacity of non-governmental organisations and civil society to understand conflict and work for conflict resolution using peaceful means. The initiative has also been designed to develop the capacity of organisations to monitor human rights violations caused by the conflicting parties, and to publicise them in order to advocate against the violations and to promote respect for human rights.

Aims / Objectives

The aims of the initiative are to:

• raise the capacity of non-governmental organisations and civil society to understand different components of the peace process;
• raise awareness of nonviolent means of conflict resolution;
• strengthen peoples’ participation in the peace process;
• minimise human rights violations during conflict;
• develop networks among human rights and peace organisations and activists.
  
  

How it is Articulated

• Workshops,
• trainings,
• mass meetings,
• peace volunteer worker,
• establishment of a human rights information centre,
• documenting, monitoring and disseminating information on human rights violations.
  
  

Achievements / Learning Points

HURENDEC has been implementing the programme in order to develop an understanding of conflict amongst non-governmental organisations and civil society. They are also trained in different components of peacebuilding such as dialogue, facilitation, mediation and negotiation in the district. The initiative has further developed the capacity of the organisations to monitor human rights violations by the conflicting parties and disseminate information concerning these violations.

The organisation has achieved the following:

• the establishment of a network of 36 human rights and peace organisations working together on the peace process in the district;
• understanding the human rights situation by monitoring and documenting human rights violations;
• pressuring the conflicting parties to respect human rights and humanitarian laws through dissemination of the human rights violations cases;
• the organisation is gradually developing a leadership role in mobilising civil society and stakeholders in the district for the creation of peace;
• an enhanced capacity of human rights and peace defenders in the district;
• both conflicting parties have requested data and information about human rights violations and the impacts of conflict in the district;
• many national and international organisations are in contact with the organisation to increase their understanding of the local situation and of human rights violations;
• the organisation has played facilitation and mediation roles during educational strikes, industry / factory strikes, transportation strikes and kidnappings.

The organisation learnt the following:

• people must be aware of conflict and they have to organise themselves for peace;
• peoples’ agendas should be addressed in the resolution process for lasting peace;
• peacebuilding is a constant process and continuous effort is needed for lasting peace.
  
  

Geographical Area of Operation

Udayapur, Khotang and Siraha district in the Eastern region.

Funding Resources

UNICEF, Nepal.

Associated Organisations

HURENDEC, Udayapur; UNICEF, Nepal; DED, Nepal.