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Background

Human rights education in Sudan was established in 1994 as part of the People's Decade of Human Rights Education (PDHRE). The following report outlines activities related to human rights education which sought to involve all sectors of society.

Our first activity was to work in Elfasher city, with plans to expand to many cities to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of our work.

Field Report No.1 :

On the first of January 1998 the work was established in Elfasher city, Northern Darfour state, with the creation of the citizens' committee, which we named Kind Hearts Committee, or KHC. Immediately after its establishment, KHC started various activities to promote the international idea of human rights education, and to dedicate and impart that in the local community. KHC focused on the goals of PDHRE to develop and advance pedagogies of human rights education relevant to people's daily lives, in the context of their struggles for social and economic justice and democracy.

In the KHC all sectors of society were represented. Sub-committees were formed in Maleet town and Elfasher University (Medical Students' Committee). The committees in Elfasher University have carried out the cultural work about human rights in different areas and districts of Elfasher. Inside the university the following activities were undertaken:

• Wall magazine in which a series of topics related to human rights were published, for example, the international human rights covenants and declarations.
• Discussion among the community of the university. (There is a certain amount of freedom inside the university).

Meetings

Kind Hearts Committee for Human Rights Education held a number of meetings to discuss and develop a plan to extend awareness of human rights. The members of the committee were strong opponents of the idea of working under the governmental shelter, thus, they decided to keep a low profile until legal registration of the organization was achieved.

The teachers who are members of the committee taught human rights to children in school by means of direct contact in classrooms and theaters.

To train and teach human rights to women, in particular, the committee emphasized the social sector as an effective field. This was achieved through various social occasions. Many women house holders have been involved, and their input through different social meetings was remarkable. Every member was provided with copies of human rights educational materials.

ELGAZERA STATE

Wad Madani city

Citizen's committee

Student's committee .

SENNAR STATE

Sennar city

Citizen's committee

Student's committee

Singa city

citizen's committee

Elsuki city

citizen's committee

Eddilnder city

citizen's committee

Bonzoga village

citizen's committee

The work in Khartoum was established on the First of March, 1998 by the establishment of citizen's committees including:

Lawyer's committee

Doctor's committee

Elhaj yousif committee

Elshaabia committee

Ombeda 1 committee

Ombeda 2 committee

Omderman committee

Elliela Elgadaida committee

Wad nobawi 1 committee

Wad nobawi 2 committee

Elneelin University committee

Elahfad University committee

Elahlia 2 University committee

Khartoum University committee

Elahfad University committee

During the period of foundation, most of the efforts were directed towards a creation of a good framework and organization through selection of active members, training of the executive committee, good communication between the committee, a good information system and extensive social activities which enhance the harmony of the work.

• During the stage of foundation all the committees' activities included:
• Lectures held by the members of the lawyers committee in order to teach and train members of the executive committees;
• Seminars and group discussion;
• Self-learning;
• Distribution of copies of international human rights conventions and declarations to all members;
• Community discussion;
• Social activities to strengthen social relation between members and to provide good environment for the work, including journeys, family sittings and visits;
• Distribution of papers and pamphlets;
• Attendance at activities related to human rights;
• A program for the involvement of families was established by the families of members of the executive committees. This effort was to "bring human rights home.

The legal status of the organization

A constitution for the organization was prepared by the lawyers' committee, and now we are waiting for acceptance of registration and the permission for the work to be public. Meanwhile we are working and will modify our activities as is needed.

Duties and Functions of the officers of the Executive Committee

President of the executive committee

Presides over all meetings of the executive committee and the general assembly of the sector.

Calls for emergency meetings of the executive committee or the general assembly of-the sector.

Secretary General

Keeps the records of the committee.

Prepares the agendas for meetings.

Secretary for information and culture is

Responsible for distribution of educational material and copies to any member of the sector.

Responsible for drawing up cultural and educational and program and policies.

Responsible for the publication of educational papers, wall papers, and the preparation of lectures/ seminars / symposiums.

Secretary for social affairs is

Responsible for the organization of all social activities which strengthen the relation between the members.

Secretary for finance

Keeps the money and books of the organization.

Spends the fund of the committee as approved and allocated by the executive Committee.

Draws up the annual budget of the committee under the organization's financial regulation.

Initiates fundraising activities with the approval of the executive committee.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs is

Responsible for foreign relations with NGO's.

Future plans

The purpose of the organization is to promote the process of human rights education and to enhance awareness of international human rights law as a minimum standard for human rights and dignity among communities. This purpose will be achieved by the cooperation and coordination with the following agencies working in human rights:

NGOs (National and international)

UN Agencies (United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education)

Religious people

Parliament members

Lawyers

Foreign countries through their embassies in Sudan

Women's organizations and associations

Other interest groups

Strategies:

Train volunteers inside and outside Sudan.

Offer lectures, workshops and group training.

Conduct research and surveys.

Publish periodicals, quarterly magazines and annual reports.

Provide teaching programs and seminars.

Facilitate community discussion.

Sudanese Organization for Human Rights Education and Democracy
Emad Abedeen
(email: emad_abdeen@hotmail.com)
Khartoum
P.O. Box 640
PHONE NO. : 00 249 12346252

For more information, please contact PDHRE:

The People's Movement for Human Rights Education (PDHRE) / NY Office
Shulamith Koenig / Executive Director
526 West 111th Street, New York, NY 10025, USA
tel: +1 212.749-3156; fax: +1 212.666-6325
e-mail: pdhre@igc.org