The
National Human Rights Defense Network
The National Human Rights Defense Network
(RNDDH), formerly known as the National Coalition
for Haitian Rights (NCHR-Haiti), is a
non-governmental, non-profit organization.
Created in New York in 1982 under the original
name of “National Coalition for
Refugees” (NCHR), NCHR was initially engaged
in training activities, as well as lobbying for
an end to the deportation of Haitian refugees
fleeing the Duvalier dictatorship and
guaranteeing them a legal status within the
United States.
Over the years, NCHR expanded its mandate to
include involvement in grassroots-level issues
concerning the flow of refugees and displaced
persons in Haiti’s provinces, with a
particular focus on the tyranny and the violent
acts of the dictatorship.
As a result, NCHR became involved in the emerging
democratic movement in Haiti. During the 1991
coup d’état, NCHR helped in the recovery of
the political situation by responding to the
human rights violations that took place under the
military regime.
In April 1992, the National Coalition for Haitian
Refugees (NCHR) decided to open a field office
based in Haiti and from 1995 onward the
organization operated under the name of
“National Coalition for Haitian
Rights.” Since1996, the NCHR office in Haiti
has independently developed and carried out its
own programs and activities.
During the coup d’état from 1991 until
1994, NCHR had the following missions:
• To investigate cases of human rights
violations reported throughout the country;
• To monitor and document observed human
rights violations;
• To assist members of grassroots
organizations subject to persecution or death
threats;
• To assist repatriated persons;
• To provide the international community
with information on the human rights situation in
Haiti; and
• To pressure the international community to
revise its policy towards Haiti;
Since the return of constitutional government in
Haiti in 1994, NCHR-Haiti focused on a collection
of tasks with the aim of encouraging:
• The institutionalization of democracy and
respect for the fundamental rights of the Haitian
people;
• The consolidation of democracy;
• Training and proper functioning of
Haiti’s National Police force; and
• Prison and judicial system reform.
Ten years later in April 2005, due to its growth
at the national and international levels, and in
order to simplify its decision-making structures
while remaining faithful to its commitment to the
promotion and defense of human rights, NCHR-Haiti
transformed itself into an autonomous
organization under the new name of National
Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH).
This new name better reflects the widespread
influence of the organization’s actions
throughout the country.
RNDDH Monitoring Program
 RNDDH has established a
human rights monitoring program whose global
objective is to contribute to the realization of
a rule of law in Haiti where the rights and the
responsibilities of the Haitian population are
respected. RNDDH’s program has the following
aims:
• To support key Haitian State institutions
in the fight against impunity by way of
observing, identifying, documenting cases of
human rights violations, and carrying out various
actions for the purpose of informing national and
international public opinion
• To work to protect and defend the rights
of victims of human rights violations
• To advocate for the reform of the key
Haitian State institutions
(Read more on Human Rights Monitoring
Program)
RNDDH Education Program
 RNDDH provides Haitians
with a practical knowledge of human rights and
reinforces their capacity to apply these rights
in their community. This work is carried out with
the participation of existing local structures,
paying special attention to women and children.
The aims of this program are:
• To reinforce the participation of existing
local structures in promotion and defence of
human rights
• To develop and launch a national,
decentralized structure to carry out the
continuation of human rights education and
monitoring
• To support the Haitian state its efforts
to reinforce key state institutions with regards
to human rights issues
As part of this program, RNDDH organizes:
- introductory-level training seminars in human
rights, (level 1);
- intermediate-level human rights training
seminars, (level 2);
- advanced-level human rights training seminars,
(level 3);
- meetings organized around specific themes for
reflection; and
- workshops on respecting and promoting human
rights offered to school students.
(Read more on Human Rights Education
Program) |
