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1. Brief
introduction of FOHRID
1.1
History/Genesis
Human Rights and
Democratic Forum (FOHRID) is a non-government, non-profit making,
non-political, independent, public interest organization. It has been registered
in the District Administration Office, Kathmandu on 05 September 2001 (BS
2058 Bhadra 20) with Regd. No 185/058-059. It is affiliated to Social
Welfare Council, Government of Nepal on 9 November 2003 (BS 2060/5/25) with
the affiliation no. 15269 and it has been working in close association with
national and international non-governmental organizations. Economists,
political scientists, advocates, social workers, human rights defenders,
anthropologists, international criminal justice experts, researchers,
development experts, counselors, psychologists are involved in this
organization.
1.2
Vision: A
dignified and peaceful society where there will be an understanding,
respect, practice of human rights, democratic process and culture according
to the international instruments.
1.3
FOHRID Mission: FOHRID,
as a dynamic organization, aims to materialize democratic process and
culture through protection, promotion and respect of human rights,
combating impunity, promoting accountability and rule of law by planning
and implementing advocacy, research, networking, mobilizing the non-state
actors, social workers, collaboration and capacity building activities
according to its faith, commitment and vision.
Overall objectives and working
areas:
- Protection, promotion and
respect of human rights according to the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights-1948 and other relevant international instruments,
- To establish culture of
peace in conflict management,
- To strengthen democratic
process and culture through institutional capacity building at all
levels,
- To enhance institutional
infrastructure and capacity building of FOHRID.
1.4
FOHRID Modality: FOHRID
has developed a modality over the years of its activities and experiences
in grassroots and local level. It conducts policy level advocacy,
counseling, referral, drafting legislation, study, research, organizes
seminar, workshop, public interest campaign (including PIL filing,
interaction, public hearing and symposium) to accumulate knowledge and
professional skills for future action and intervention. FOHRID plans
intervention or action focusing implementation at primary stakeholders or
grassroots level of beneficiaries, which are meant to organize the target
groups for their own needs and benefits.
1.5
Organizational Structure
i. General Assembly (total no. 36)
ii. Executive Body (total no. 9)
iii. Advisory Council (total no. 5)
iv. Executive Director (total no. 1)
v. Rule of Law Section (total no. 2)
vi. Transitional Justice Section
(total no. 2)
vii. Human Rights Section (total no. 1)
viii. Women Rights Section (total no. 1)
ix. Democracy Section (total no. 1)
x. Peace and Conflict Management
Section (total no. 1)
xi. Social Work Section (total no. 2)
xii. Account and Administration Section
(total no. 2)
1.6 Decision
Making Procedures
(a)
According to Article 6, Sub Article
(Cha) of FOHRID Statute, General Assembly formulates policy and work plan,
amends the Statute, appoints Auditor, passes Audit Report and the Annual
Budget. The General Assembly is held once every year.
(b)
Meeting of full Executive Body is
held every three months for the formulation and monitoring of programs,
evaluation of expenditure, distribution of responsibility etc. Quorum for
the meeting is 51%.
1.7 Financial
Management
(a) Financial resources: Financial
resources of FOHRID are as follows:
(i)
Membership fee
(ii)
Monthly Levy from Executive body
(iii)
Membership renewal fees
(iv)
Grants and aids
(v)
Publication sale
(vi)
Other miscellaneous resources
(b)
Financial System
Bank account of
FOHRID is run in accordance with the provision in the FOHRID Statute.
Chairperson, General Secretary, Treasurer and Programme Coordinator /
Director sign the cheque. All financial decisions are made by Finance
Committee. Finance Committee is chaired by Treasurer and Chairperson, General
Secretary and Programme Coordinator / Director are members. It is
obligatory to submit decision of the Finance Committee in the Executive
Committee meeting held every three months; and the decision of the
Executive Committee is submitted to the General Assembly.
(c)
Accounting System
All the capital
and liabilities of FOHRID are kept under double entry book keeping system
of accounts. Weekly and monthly trial balance of income and expenditure are
prepaid and approved by the Finance Committee. General Assembly of FOHRID
appoints registered auditor for the period of one fiscal year. Accounts is
audited and report is submitted to the District Administration Office,
Social Welfare Council and other relevant authorities. Necessary tax, if
applicable, is paid according to the advice of the auditor. Necessary laws
and policies have been followed by the organization.
1.8
Membership Criteria
Any Nepali citizen who has crossed
18 years of age, who agrees to the objectives of FOHRID and who is not
sentenced for morally degrading criminal activities can obtain FOHRID
membership following due process. Types of membership provided by FOHRID
are: (a) Ordinary members, (b) Life members, (c) Honorary members, (d)
Associate members.
1.9 Major issues
of concern / objectives of FOHRID:
- To
take initiative to end impunity for promotion of accountability and
strengthening rule of law.
- Protection,
promotion and respect of human rights according to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights-1948 and other relevant international instruments,
- To
strengthen democratic process and culture through institutional
capacity building and democratic reform at all levels,
- To
initiate campaign for immediate signature and ratification of various
UN Conventions and Optional Protocols by Nepal.
- To take initiative for poverty alleviation
through conducting constructive activities for community development
by identifying, managing and mobilizing natural resources.
- To
establish culture of peace through conflict resolution and
peace-building initiative.
- To
build public advocacy for establishment of Transitional Justice
mechanisms and enable victims to claim and express their rights and
justice through counseling and referral.
- To
enhance and mobilize non-state actors through institutional
infrastructure, and capacity building of FOHRID.
1.10 Principal
achievements
a)
Development of an organization with knowledge and
skills as well as development of membership representing social work, rule
of law, transitional justice, human rights related humanitarian concerns.
b)
An identity of a national level non-governmental
organization.
c)
An advocate for rule of law, transitional justice,
democracy, peace and human rights with focus on diversity, social justice,
fundamental rights and freedom.
d)
Development of quality in work.
e)
Linkage with national and international organizations
and resources.
1.11 Thematic
approaches of the organization:
· Co-ordination,
facilitation and networking
· Knowledge center
· Counseling and
referral
· Research and
capacity building initiative
· Representation,
advocacy, policy debate and drafting legislation
· Documentation,
translation, publication, dissemination
· Promotion of
professional standards
FOHRID has become a service provider in
the non-profit sector. The benefits of its activities are directed at:
a)
People in need regardless of ethnic, gender,
political or religious backgrounds.
b)
Promotion of dialogue to end impunity, establishment
of accountability, strengthening rule of law and international criminal
justice system, democratic governance and reform and non-violent conflict
resolution and peacebuilding.
c)
Provision of empowerment and assistance through
community based participatory approach in the themes of FOHRID's working
areas.
d)
Provision of durable solutions for those affected by
conflict and incidents of human rights violation.
e)
Promotion of the principles of social service and
professionalism in the non-profit sector.
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