The Washington-based Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies (DCHRS) aims to promote the values of human rights in Syrian society. Its mission is to foster a spirit of support and respect for the values & standards of human rights in Syria.
Description of activities
The DCHRS hopes to advance the culture of human rights in Syrian society through sponsoring a range of academic and theoretically-oriented programs:
- Detailed studies and research projects, as well as the holding of conferences, seminars, and courses that critically engage with human rights.
- Undertakes studies and research projects that address Syrian legislation, Arab and international legal issues, and international human rights agreements. DCHRS is explicitly opposed to any type of human rights violation as specified by the Syrian constitution and/or the relevant international agreements. DCHRS will monitors such violations and attempts to eliminate their presence through all available legal and peaceful channels.
- Uses visual, audio, and written media, as well as holding conferences and workshops relating to issues of human rights, democracy, and judicial independence. Periodically, the Center offers specialised training in such areas.
- Cooperates with human rights organisations as well as intellectual and scientific organisations pursuing similar goals. As part of its effort to address political cases with fairness and neutrality, it supports and coordinates networking with other NGOs in and outside Syria. It also works with regional and international bodies to discuss the priorities of human rights issues in the Arab world, and formulates collective strategies regarding these issues.
- Documents casualties.
Sources of funding
Member of: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH); Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN); NGO Coalition for the international Criminal Court; International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP); International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. In addition to the revenue derived from its occasional publications, it relies on funding from the subscription and donations of its members, Syrian citizens, and civil society organisations. DCHRS does not accept any funding from governments.
