NGOs in Cameroon: Discover the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA)
History and Origin
The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) is an independent and apolitical non-governmental organization. The Centre is a non-profit making organization created purposely for the promotion, protection and respect for human rights and democracy. To achieve these goals, CHRDA complies with national and international laws governing non-governmental organizations and their activities. Before 2005, CHRDA was known as a committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Cameroon. In 2005, it was renamed the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa. While drawing inspiration from a series of discussions in the University of Notre Dame law school among young, energetic and aspiring students, the founder of CHRDA, Bar. Felix Agbor Nkongho did not only rename the organization on paper but its regional offices were also created in Cameroon, Sierra Leon, and the United States of America. Our work ranges from human rights monitoring, documenting and reporting humanitarian aid, and provision of pro bono legal aid to victims of human rights violations, free vocational training to the population, advocacy, sensitization, and a host of other activities.
CHRDA Mission
CHRDA is a Civil Society, Human Rights and Humanitarian Organization whose mission is to:
- Enhance the promotion, protection, respect for human rights, democracy and good governance.
- Develop strategies and gather resources in securing compliance with human rights norms.
- Network to improve human rights situations.
- Keep violations/abuses to a minimum, and encourage ratification of international treaties and agreements related to human rights and the rule of law.
- Provide legal services to victims of human rights violations/abuses at the national and international fora (National Courts, African Commission, UN, etc.)
- Provide humanitarian response to survivors of catastrophes including armed conflict.
- Provide legal Assistance to Victims of Human Rights abuses (individuals and groups) by working in close collaboration with legal Practitioners who render pro bono services. Collaborate with members of the legislative, judicial and executive branches so as to bring the necessary legal changes.
- Serve as a liaison with other domestic and international Non-Governmental Organizations focused on human rights, ranging from educational institutions, governmental and inter-governmental bodies to charitable organizations.
Vision:
Achieve a just and safe society where Human Rights are protected and respected at all levels and people can meet their basic needs.
Where they Work:
Currently, we operate in Cameroon, with our offices located in Buea, Southwest Region (head office), and Bamenda, Northwest Region.
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN CHRDA
ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS: CHRDA offers academic and professional internship programs to both national and international university students. These internship programs are either concerning legal, human rights humanitarian, or governance issues. In CHRDA, students are chanced to go out to the field where human rights are being violated/abused, meet victims of human rights violations, and are opportune to experience and practically discourse values of democracy during seminars. They also go out into the field to provide humanitarian response to the vulnerable population.
RESEARCH CENTRE AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES: CHRDA is equipped with archives of human rights instruments including books and reports. These instruments are also in digital or electric formats.
VOLUNTEERISM OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS: Volunteerism brings into existence an increase in skills and professionalism and at the same time acts as a practical part of their career. It is worthy to note that to become activists or expert in matters relating to human rights and good governance, you need to practically be on the field. CHRDA as an institution that defends human rights, therefore, offers volunteers various opportunities to exercise and build their passion for the protection and respect of human rights and the rule of law.
EDUCATIVE PROGRAMS: The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa offers to the public educative programs to help advocate/sensitize for the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law. This is to pathways towards attaining a society where rights are respected
VOCATIONAL TRAINING: CHRDA runs an empowerment centre (vocational training centre) in Buea, the Southwest Region of Cameroon. These vocational training opportunities target vulnerable groups including Internally Displaced Persons, returnees, etc. our vision is to extend the Centre’s activities to cover other parts of the country in a bit to battle against unemployment and to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.
Click HERE to read more about CHRDA on their Official Website
or on their Official Facebook Page
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
