CODHAS (Centre D'Observation des Droits De L'Homme et D'Assistance Sociale; Observation Centre for Human Rights and Social Assistance) is a human rights, development and peacebuilding organisation working in Rutshuru and Masisi in North Kivu, DR Congo.
CODHAS base their work on the values of solidarity, confidentiality and transparency. Their motto is 'human rights for all'. They have worked with a number of partners and all also the government and provincial assembly of North Kivu to further their aims.
A CODHAS campaign against gender-based violence and to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS issues.
Examples of CODHAS work:
September 2009 – July 2010: Community sensitisation project about the return of Congolese people living in Rwanda or Uganda, in partnership with RACID (Réseau d’actions citoyennes pour la démocratie) with the support of the UNHCR in Rutshuru.
January 2010: Monitoring human rights violations, in partnership with HRW/Goma.
January – November 2009: Sensitisation of armed groups and FARDC (the Congolese Army) about the demobilisation of child soldiers in Rutshuru and Masisi.
CODHAS have many plans for the future, including more work to build trust between tribes, reducing the spread of small arms, resolving land conflicts and the formation of peace groups in communities.
Work in a corn field as part of a CODHAS programme to improve relations between different ethnic groups in North Kivu.
