The organisation is focusing on the contribution towards building a society (Sierra Leone) where people’s rights and aspirations are promoted and respected and where governance is inclusive and participatory at all levels. Since its establishment in 2002, CDHR has evolved a great deal, both institutionally and programmatically.  We have expanded our operations to cover six districts in the northern region including Bombali, Koinadugu, Port Loko, Tonkolili, Kambia and the newly-established district of Karene.  We are an active member of several civil society coalitions and networks including the National Elections Watch, National Forum for Human Rights, National Civil Society Forum Sierra Leone, ALLAT, Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNORF) and the Natural Resource Governance Economic Justice Network. We take lead in facilitating some of the activities of these coalitions and  networks in the northern region and we have been doing so successfully.

We have offices and staff in 4 districts that we operate, which coordinate and provide supportive supervision in the implementation of projects and programmes. The Organization is run and guided by established structures, policies and processes that include a Board of Advisors comprising of five people ( three men andtwo women), a Senior Management Team comprising of administrative and programming staff, personnel, financial management and procurement policies, among others, as well as a strong and visionary leadership.  All these are meant to improve the efficiency, relevance and effectiveness of the organization at all times.Programmes and projects are reviewed regularly to reflect and to align  them with current challenges, needs and aspirations of local communities  in the country, particularly in communities where we work.

Our Vision

A  State (Sierra Leone) which is democratic where citizens’ rights are guaranteed and have access to opportunities to actualise their individual, group and national aspirations

Our Mission

Ending Inequalities

CDHR District office Kambia

History

Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR) is a non-partisan and not-for-profit making non-governmental organization. It was founded in Makeni, Bombali District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone and started active operations in 2001 while in exile in Freetown and later Mile 91, Tonkolili District. It has its Head Office in Makeni (Bombali District) and 4 other district offices at Magburaka, (Tonkolili District), Kabala (Koinadugu District), Port Loko (Port Loko District), and Kambia (Kambia District).

CDHR Staff Kambia District Office: From Extreme Left to Right: Mohamed Sesay, John Conteh, Fatmata I Kamara and Morlai Sumah

Objectives

The principal objectives of CDHR are as follows;

  • To promote and protect human rights with particular focus on rural women, youth and children;
  • To promote grassroots participation in decision-making and inclusive governance at all levels of society with emphasis on local government and decentralization processes;
  • To enhance the provision of access to justice services, especially for rural women and girls;

To promote gender equality by enhancing girls’ access to basic education and women’s empowerment;

Methods

To achieve the above objectives, CDHR is adopting the following activities as general activities of the organisation;

  1. Monitor, document and report human rights violations/abuses and conditions of detention centres
  2. Air radio discussion programmes at district level on issues of human rights, Gender Acts 2007 and Child Rights Act 2007, etc.
  3. Organise civic education meetings and workshops at district, chiefdom and village levels on areas of Local Government act 2004, local Councils’ activities, Gender Acts 2007, Child Rights Act 2007, Sexual Offences Act and Human Rights