INHURED INTERNATIONAL UPHOLDING UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS

 

THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS MAIN COURSE OF ACTION

International Institute for Human Rights, Environment and Development (INHURED International), the first Nepal-based human rights organization to receive Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) of the UN, has been functioning as a front-runner human rights organization with a non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit making independent approach. INHURED International's vibrant history goes back to the ceaseless campaign for the restoration of multi-party democracy and human rights in 1990 in Nepal. INHURED International courageously fought against tyrannical panchayat system; atrocities committed by both the state and insurgents during the internal armed conflict from1996 to 2006.

Courage with conscience is vital for effective human rights intervention in the high intensity internal armed conflict. INHURED International's team demonstrated that valor and conviction for the steadfast opposition to the atrocious royal regime in February 2005 and also massive breach of international human rights and humanitarian law during the decade-long armed conflict by the non-state actors in Nepal. INHURED International played a key role to generate international solidarity, especially from the UN human rights system in defense of human rights and democratic struggle in the country during these exceptionally difficult years. Currently, it is championing the most challenging cause of transitional justice and compliance audit of the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) concluded between the government and the then rebel group Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). INHURED International believes in zero tolerance to impunity to human rights violation.

The officials' composition of the organization include: lawyers, youths, gender experts, peace educators, anthropologists, human rights defenders and researchers with a geographical coverage of global advocacy through UN human rights protection mechanisms with special focus on South Asia region with regular programs in Nepal. Its major objective is the advancement of human rights, transitional justice, universal suffrage, freedom of elections, democratic development, just peace, accountability and good governance. The Guiding Principle of the organizations is “International Solidarity for Human Rights and Human Dignity”. Its modes operandi includes research, education, training, civic diplomacy, fact-finding, documentation, dissemination of information, publication, litigation and legal assistance.

Contribution of the organization to the work of the United Nations

i) PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL AND ITS SUBSIDIARY BODIES AND/OR MAJOR CONFERENCES AND OTHER UNITED NATIONS MEETINGS.

INHURED International upholds the human rights doctrines adopted by the UN. In addition to adherence to the UN Charter, it embraces universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights as adopted by the UN Second World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna, Austria in June 1993 and strives for effective realization of international instruments adopted by the UN at regional and domestic level. In fact, INHURED International coordinated the NGO activities in the Asia-Pacific during the UN Second World Conference on Human Rights and the Asia-Pacific Conference in preparation for the same. The following are some of the examples of involvement of the organizations in various activities around the ECOSOC, its subsidiary bodies and the major UN sponsored events.

• Throughout the reporting period, the organization convened, some times alone and often in collaboration with other organizations, side events during the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in the UN Headquarters in New York to raise the civil society voice on gender justice and women’s human rights to the main official event.
• On September 12-15, 2004 the President of the organization was invited as a Speaker at the Beijing+10 Asia-Pacific Regional Review in Bangkok, Thailand organized at the auspicious of the UN ESCAP (Economic and Social Council for the Asia-Pacific).
• From August 29 to September 2, 2004, the president of the organization presented a working paper on the “Demand side of Human Trafficking” at the Yokohama+5 Mid-Term Review organized by UNICEF (United Nations Fund for Children) and ILO (International Labor Organization) as a joint initiative in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• The president was invited as an observer at the seminar titled “Application of Humanitarian Law in Domestic Context” by ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts from 26 to 30 June 2003.
• In March 2002, the President of the organization attended a Seminar on International Peace Education in the capacity of the International Advisor of The Hague Appeal for Peace jointly organized by The Hague Appeal for Peace and UN Division of Humanitarian Affairs, New York
• On 14-20 May 2001, the sizable delegation from the organization participated in the UN Third Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC-III) in Brussels, Belgium organized by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) and convened NGO parallel session on development agenda in which the then UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan appeared as a Key Note Speaker.
• The President of the organization participated as an NGO delegate in the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meeting on the UNGASS (UN General Assembly Special Session of Children) organized in the UN Headquarters in New York from June 8-11, 2001.
• On …. September 2000, the President of the organization presented a working paper on “Impact of Armed Conflict on Children” in a Conference organized by the Canadian government in partnership with the office of the then UN Under-Secretary General on Children in Armed Conflict Mr. Olara Ottunu.
• The president was invited as a delegate at the Millennium NGO Forum, UN Headquarters, New York from 22 to 26 May 2000 prior to the Beijing+ Five Conference organized by the Commission on the Status of Women in which three delegates from the organizations participated.

ii) COOPERATION WITH UNITED NATIONS BODIES AND/OR SPECIALIZED AGENCIES IN THE FIELD AND/OR AT HEADQUARTERS.

• In 2005, the organization actively participated to the joint activities with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) field office in Nepal to monitor the gross violation of human rights and humanitarian law during the high intensity internal armed conflict.
• In May 2002, the organization participated in the UN General Special Session on Children, New York and contributed to the draft Program of Action “A World Fit for Children”.
• In May 2000, the organization presented a working paper on “Impact of Armed Conflict on Children” in the Asia-Pacific Conference on Child Soldiering organized by UNICEF (United Nations Children Fund)
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization worked in close cooperation with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) towards exploring durable solution to the Bhutanese, Tibetan and urban refugees who are living in Nepal.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization participated in various sessions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva and made oral and written intervention on the issues relating to refugees, torture and violation of non-derogable rights.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization participated in the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Board of Directors meeting of Human Rights Institutions in Paris, France and contributed to highlight the status of human rights education in South Asia region.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization has been involved in writing and presenting Nepal's initial NGO shadow reports on ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women) and CRC (Convention on the Rights of the Child).
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization was engaged in conducting training on international humanitarian law, UN human rights system, UN reform agenda and the MDG (Millennium Development Goals) both at national and regional levels.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization produced a number of IEC (information, education and communication) materials on children, women, refugees and general human rights protection and promotion in assistance with UNESCO and UNICEF.
• From 2005 to 2007, the organization actively participated to the joint activities with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) field office in Nepal to monitor the gross violation of human rights and humanitarian law during the high intensity internal armed conflict.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization worked in close cooperation with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) towards exploring durable solution to the Bhutanese, Tibetan and urban refugees who are living in Nepal.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization participated in various sessions of the UN Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva and made oral and written intervention on the issues relating to refugees, torture, impunity and violation of non-derogable rights.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization participated in the UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Board of Directors meeting of Human Rights Institutions in Paris, France and contributed to highlight the status of human rights education in South Asia region.
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization has been involved in preparing Nepal's NGO shadow reports on ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women); and CRC (Convention on the Rights of the Child).
• Throughout the reporting period, the organization was engaged in conducting training on international humanitarian law, UN human rights system, UN reform agenda and the MDG (Millennium Development Goals) both at national and regional levels.

III) ACTIVITIES IN LINE WITH THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The organization contributed to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the following manner:

• As one of the major international instruments governing the MDGs, the organization prepared the alternative report in collaboration with HRTMCC (Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee) on the ESCR (International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights) to the concerned UN Treaty Monitoring Body and intervened during the consideration in Geneva in August 2002.
• In order to enhance campaign under Goal 7 ensuring environmental sustainability the organization also participated in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in August 2002 as a delegate of the civil society and participated in the rights to health and water rights conference at Water Dome as a parallel activity of the main event.
• To enhance the MDG Goal 2 to achieve universal primary education, the organization translated and produced the document “Education for All (EFA) and also distributed throughout Nepal with the assistance from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Headquarters, Paris, France.
• To advance the campaign on Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) in corroboration with MDG 3 on Gender Equality, the organization participated in the Beijing+ 5, New York and its follow-up Beijing +10 in Bangkok, Thailand and produced series of reports on the condition of women and Nepal and South Asia as a whole in partnership with Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC).
• The organization was invited by the President of the United Nations General Assembly to participate in the two-day Interactive Hearing on "In Larger Freedom…..” with the Assembly President regarding the UN reform agenda in the UN Headquarters in New York in June 2005.
• The organization was invited by the President of the United Nations General Assembly to participate in the two-day Interactive Hearing on "In Larger Freedom…..” with the then Assembly President regarding the UN reform agenda in the UN Headquarters in New York on 21-22 June, 2005 on the eve of the MDG + Five Summit held in UN Headquarters in New York.
• Throughout September 2005, the organization participated in the global activities around the MDGs during the 2005 UN General Assembly in collaboration with GCAP (Global Action against Poverty); Millennium Campaign and ActionAid International.
  
  The organization convened a major national event in Kathmandu on the occasion of the 58th International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2005 in which Mr. Shalil Shetty, UN Millennium Campaign Director was the international chief guest speaker.
• Throughout the reporting period, to enhance the MDG Goal 2 to achieve universal primary education, the organization translated and produced the simpler version (summary) document EFA (Education for All) and also distributed and taught throughout Nepal with the assistance from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Headquarters, Paris, France.
• To advance the campaign on Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) in corroboration with MDG 3 on Gender Equality, the organization participated in the Beijing+10 in Bangkok, Thailand and produced series of reports on the condition of women and Nepal and South Asia as a whole in partnership with Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC).

IV) ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL PRINCIPLES

Various UN and International Day (children, migration, women, indigenous people etc.) were observed by organizing seminars on each October 24th in participation with the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) in which the UNDP Resident Reprehensive and senior UN officials have delivered speech on human rights and peace as special guests of the events.

• The World AIDS Day was observed each December 1st by the organization in collaboration with other like-minded institutions. The organization participated in the rallies and public meeting on the occasion of the World AIDS Day in Kathmandu.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has been translated in local languages and each year, the UDHR has been celebrated with the distinct themes adopted by the United Nations. Rallies, posters, public gathering, seminars and symposiums were organized during the reporting period as a week-long event.
• The President of the organization was invited as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) delegate at the UN sponsored Millennium Development Goals (MDG)+Five event as a part of the UN General Assembly on 14-16 September 2005 in New York.
• The president also attended the Interactive Hearing as an observer on UN Reform’s central agenda “In Larger Freedom…..”, June 21-22, 2005 New York at the invitation of the then UN General Assembly President.
• In 2006 and 2007 the President of the organization provided consultancy service to UNICEF Country Office in Nepal towards the preparation of a National Report on "A World Fit for Children” to be submitted to the UN General Assembly.
• In 2005 and 2006 the President of the organization served as a Consultant to ILO (International Labor Organization) Country Office in Nepal on research, manual preparation and training on counter-trafficking program.
• The President of the organization represented inn the Commission on the Status of Women, New York on February 24-March 8, 2007 and was also invited by the Open Society Institute for a special lecture on women in conflict on February 28.
• On September 13-15, 2006, the President of the organization attended the High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development organized by IOM (International Organization for Migration) during the UN General Assembly in New York at the UN Headquarters.
• On September 15, 2006, the UN-OHRLLS (UN Office of the High representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States) invited the President of the organization as a Panelist on LDCs (Least Developed Countries) Parliamentarians Conference as a part of the General Assembly in the UN Headquarters in New York
• The President of the organization was designated as an official representative by the Government of Nepal at the UN General Assembly on the Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons from 26 June-11 July 2006 at the UN Headquarters in New York.
• Throughout 2007, the organization coordinated the monitoring of the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) in coordination with OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) and the UNMIN (United Nations Mission in Nepal).
• Throughout the reporting period, the various UN and International Day (children, migration, women, indigenous people etc.) were observed by organizing seminars on each October 24th in participation with the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) in which the UNDP Resident Reprehensive and senior UN officials have delivered speech on human rights and peace as special guests of the events.
• The World AIDS Day was observed each December 1st by the organization in collaboration with other like-minded institutions. The organization participated in the rallies and public meeting on the occasion of the World AIDS Day in Kathmandu.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has been translated in local languages and each year, the UDHR has been celebrated with the distinct themes adopted by the United Nations. Rallies, posters, public gathering, seminars and symposiums were organized during the reporting period as a week-long event.
• The blue book on “Compilation of International Human Rights Instruments” has been published in Nepali and has been widely distributed nationwide for public consumption.
• The organization produced the following materials to uphold the UN principles on human rights and peace:

"Caravan of Conflict": A comprehensive research on internal displacement in Nepal; Peace Education Manual for School Children; Human Rights and Legal Education Series; Rise of Rights: A docu-drama on UDHR; Human Rights Benchmarks; Research on Truth Commissions Worldwide; Comprehensive Peace Agreement: Questions and Answers

Other Special Missions

• Invited Speaker, ADRRN Annual General Assembly, Hanoi, Vietnam'
• Invited Speaker, Interactive Hearing, UN High Level Dialogue on Migration, New York
• Electoral Stakeholders’ Forum, Bangkok Declaration on Free & Fair Elections, ANFREL, Bangkok
• Guest Presenter, Africa Regional Workshop on Refugees and Immigration Detention, Dar-es-Salaam
• Senior Team Member, International Election Observation Mission, Philippines
• ANFREL Team Member, proposed (unconducted) run-off election, Afghan Presidential Elections
• Keynote Speaker, International Conference on Afghan Refugees, Tehran
• International Conference on Refugees, Korea University, Seoul
• Refugee Short Course, Mahidol University, Bangkok
• South Asia Social Forum, Dhaka, hosted by ActionAid International focusing on freedom of elections
• Annual Meeting of European Union's International Election Observation Mission, Brussels

MAJOR PUBLICATIONS

• "Caravan Of Conflict": A Nationwide Research Report On Dynamics Of Internal Displacement In Nepal
• "Dialogue": Manual On Do No Harm Policy And Armed Conflict
• "From Nowhere To Somewhere": Testimonies Of Bhutanese Refugees
• Alternative Reports On Iccpr, Crc, Icescr
• Beijing And Beyond (A National Report)
• Beijing+15: A Review Of The World Conference On Women, Beijing-1995
• Beyond Beijing: South Asia Mid-Decade Report
• Beyond Border, Inhured Internatioanal
• Bhutan: Cultural Cleansing (In Collaboration With Harvard University)
• Bhutanese Refugees: An Iron Path To Democracy
• Bhutanese Refugees: Destitute Without Destination
• CEDAW Ngo Alternative Report
• Comprehensive Peace Agreement: Questions And Answers
• Constituent Assembly And Democracy: 108 Q & A
• Displacement By Design: A Research Report On The Status Of Bhutanese Refugees
• Docudrama "Journey To Justice" On Transitional Justice
• Docudrama: “The Tin Girls” In Association With Canal Plus, Spain
• Explosion: Manual On Safety Methods Against Ieds And Landmines
• Farewell To Firearms (Children’s Comic In English & Nepali)
• Human Rights Benchmarks In The New Constitution
• Human Trafficking: 101 Questions And Answers
• Icpd Plus 10 Regional Report
• Justice Denied (Public Hearing On Ifis)
• Liberty, Adhikar And Chhoree (The Daughter)
• Many Periodicals And Manuals On Children, Women, Peace, Election, Democracy And Human Rights
• Nepal: Monitoring Beijing Platform For Action
• Refugee Watch (Newsletter)
• Report: Population Movement And Human Trafficking
• Self Defense Manual: "Where There Is No Human Rights Defender"
• Special Research On Iccpr Article 19 On Freedom of Expression, HRTMCC And INHURED
• Special Research On Iccpr Article 25 On Election And Political Participation, Hrtmcc And Inhured
• Strange Land: Safe Migration For Overseas Employment
• Study On Trc Regimes Worldwide, Inhured International
• Tele-Film: “Sisters’ Plight: Traffickers’ Delight”
• Training Manual On Bpfa (Beijing Platform For Action)
• Training Manual On Children's Rights (Series)
• Transitional Justice: Questions And Answers, Inhured/Ictj
• Translation Of " Education For All"—A Unesco Publication
• Translation Of UN Compilation Of Human Rights Instrument (The Blue Book)