CHECHEN REFUGEES

The Human Rights Centre (HRIDC) /formerly known as the Human Rights Information and Documentation Center/was founded on December 10th 1996, as a non-profit, non-governmental organization in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Our purpose is to protect and promote human rights and basic freedoms in Georgia.

Priorities:

Strengthening of the rule of law by

• Supporting harmonization of the national legislation with the international laws and monitoring its implementation;
• Providing the society with the information about the laws or legal protection mechanisms as well as with free legal aid to anyone who requires it;
• Revealing cases of breaching laws and publish them in order to make corresponding bodies take necessary action;
• Monitoring activities of various governmental bodies.

Civil Society Development by

• Strengthening the development of the third sector in the country;
• Empowering the society to be involved in social activities;
• Supporting the development of the civil society in the regions including conflict zones.

 Strengthening of Freedom of Expression by:

• Supporting the development of independent media;
• Creating a network of human rights journalists;
• Conducting journalistic investigations on human rights;
• Revealing violations of human rights and make it public.

 Eradication of Discrimination by

• Protecting the rights of minorities;
• Integrating women into public activities;
• Working towards preventing human trafficking;
• Carrying out peaceful campaigns in the conflict zones.

Activities:

• Advocacy – A Legal Aid Centre is functioning at the HRIDC office where individuals can receive free legal assistance.

• Information – www.HumanRights.ge is an online magazine and web portal on human rights in Georgia, updated daily by the organization.

• Education/Public Awareness Raising – The Center organizes training and seminars for different target groups on human rights related topics. The Center also publishes materials, brochures, booklets, handbooks and other materials on human rights.

• Monitoring – The organization monitors the human rights situation in Georgia and studies concrete facts of abuses and violations.

• Reporting – HRIDC reports its findings about Human Rights situation in Georgia to the EU, Council of Europe, OSCE, UN and others regularly.

• Lobbying – the Center is involved in the lobbying of official bodies involved in legislation and policy making, to promote human rights in Georgia.

The Center is implementing the following programs: Children’s Rights, Women’s Rights, Trafficking, Refugees and IDPs, Media; Conflict Prevention/Resolution, Human Rights Education; Social-Economic and Cultural Rights.

HRIDC is member of the following international networks:

• International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
• World Organization Against Torture (SOS-Torture OMCT Network);
• Human Rights Without Frontiers, Int.;
• Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International (HURIDOCS);
• International Peace Bureau (IPB);
• NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court;
• Child Rights Information Network (CRIN);
• European Network for Civil Peace Services (EN.CPS);
• UNITED for Intercultural Action – European Network against Nationalism, Racism, Fascism and Support of Migrants and Refugees.

The Human Rights Centre underlines gender equality in its mission, vision and activities. The strategy and aims of the organization are based on a positive attitude towards different genders.

HRIDC has been supported by the following organisations:

• Cordaid (The Netherlands);
• Council of Europe;
• Norwegian Human Rights Fund;
• National Endowment for Democracy (USA);
• The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / The Norwegian Helsinki Committee ;
• UNICEF;
• European Commission;
• Embassy of Canada;
• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
• OSCE
• International Economic Relations and Development Co-operation (YDAS-Hellenic Aid)  – General Secretariat of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece);
• Friedrich Ebert Foundation;
• Open Society Institute (OSI, Budapest);
• The World Bank;
• Penal Reform International / European Union;
• The Swedish Institute/Globalversken;