Human Rights, Social Organisation and Development Centre (HUSADEC)

HUSADEC believes that the Nepali conflict and associated human rights violations should be resolved by peaceful means. Core areas of their work involve training peace activists, negotiating and conducting dialogue between key players.

Overview

HUSADEC trains human rights and peace activists and mobilises them to work in rural areas of Nepal. The trained activists have been working to facilitate and mediate differences at the local level and to promote non-violent means of conflict resolution. The organisation produces documentation on human rights violations, publicises them and also publishes bulletins on peace work. It has also negotiated the release of people abducted by the Maoists after establishing links with them and conducting dialogue.

The aims of the organisation are to:

• mediate among communities;
• promote human rights through education;
• establish child clubs (to increase awareness amongst the conflicting parties [state and Maoist] not to cause any harm to children even in the worst armed conflict);
• appeal through the media for dialogue between rebels and government on the local issues;
• work on rights based issues.

HUSADEC has won the trust of both the local government and the Maoists in the Dhankuta district. With the help of HUSADEC, members of the District Development Committee, Municipality and Village Development Committee (all government institutions) have resumed their work after they resigned from their posts last year having been threatened by the Maoists. In addition, HUSADEC has facilitated the release of some people abducted by the rebels, including the chairperson of Dhankuta District Development Committee and a member of the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML).

HUSADEC has understood that the internal armed conflict in Nepal should be resolved by peaceful means, the resolution mechanisms should be etched into the grassroots level and human rights should be respected.

What Services Are Provided?

The organisation has been conducting training in conflict transformation, peacebuilding and human rights and has documented and published information on human rights violations, including those in connection with the Maoist People's War. It has also negotiated the release of people abducted by the Maoists.

Geographical Area of Operation

HUSADEC Nepal’s activities mainly cover the Dhankuta and Terathum districts, while volunteers affiliated with the organisation are also working in the districts of Sankhuwasabha, Morang, Saptari and Siraha.

Funding Resources

HUSADEC receives funding from the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), a national level NGO, British Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT).

What Further Information Would You Like?

Information on organisations working in human rights protection and promotion; issues of the right to development; conflict resolution and peacebuilding; peace processes at the local level; funding agencies etc.

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

People and organisations who are involved in the above fields.

Associated Organisations

Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Human Rights Alliance, Eastern Region, NGO Federation.