Insight on Conflict » Centre for Human Rights and Social Awareness (CENTHUR)

Centre for Human Rights and Social Awareness (CENTHUR)

CENTHUR is committed to non-violent means of resolving Nepal's conflict. Their main methods are collection and dissemination of information, lobbying and support for conflict victims, among others.

Overview

Centre for Human Rights and Social Awareness is a non-governmental, non-profit making organisation working in the field of human rights, peace and social justice. This organisation is registered in the District Administrative Office Nuwakot and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council.The organisation has been conducting various programmes for protection and promotion of human rights and creating peace since its establishment.The main aims and objectives taken by the organisation in relation to peace and conflict are:

to raise awareness to prevent conflict in the early stages so that the impact of the conflict would not increase in severity;
to teach and understand different skills, tools and techniques for conflict management;
to reduce the effects of the conflict;
to assist the conflict victims in their rehabilitation;
to pressurise the authorities concerned toward permanent peace.

Since the conflict in Nepal began, CENTHUR has focused on contributing to its management. The organisation's main agenda is non-violent means of conflict resolution. Their work includes:

study of incidents occurring during conflict;
case study and conflict management;
providing training on human rights, conflict management and peacebuilding;
collection and dissemination of Information related to peace and conflict;
advocacy and lobbying;
documentation and sharing of cases of human rights violations in connection with the conflict;
putting pressure on the conflicting parties to minimise human rights violations;
publications;
interaction with representatives from the parties involved/affected;
supporting the rehabilitation of conflict victims.

CENTHUR has conducted an interaction programme on various aspects of peace and conflict with representatives from a variety of sectors, political parties, castes, classes, occupations and people who are not in the mainstream of national politics and development at village and district levels. The interaction programme has resulted in the development of the belief that a holistic and inclusive approach should be used to resolve the Maoist conflict.

In addition, in the areas in which it operates, CENTHUR has been documenting and disseminating information on human rights violations in connection with the conflict. It has also assisted in the resettlement of conflict victims.

Conceptually, the organisation believes that violent conflict such as the Maoist conflict in Nepal can only damage and destroy property, social prosperity and relationships. The organisation strongly believes the Maoist conflict should be resolved by peaceful means before it becomes more destructive and a stalemate is reached.

What Services Are Provided?

Training on human rights, conflict transformation and peacebuilding;
field visits, preparing and disseminating reports, documenting and disseminating detais of violations; and
training on providing mediation and negotiation and counselling and rehabilitation services to conflict victims.