Le Mouvement Ivoirien des Droits Humains (Ivorian Human Rights Movement, MIDH) was created in 2000 following the military's seizure of power in Ivory Coast. Very few organisations were working for the defence and the promotion of human rights at that time. MIDH was created to bring a new support and strengthen the promotion and the defence of human rights. Today, MIDH has more than 300 active members across the country.
Since 2001, MIDH has carried out many major projects focusing on electoral observation, aid and assistance to victims, promotion of nonviolence, reconciliation campaigns, mediation and conflict resolution.
Achievements
- In January 2004, under the financial support of NOVIB (Netherlands), MIDH established the Center for Non-Violence and Democratic Culture.
- In 2004, MIDH received funds from the National Endowment for Democracy to undertake a 2 year campaign on national reconciliation.
- MIDH participated in actions of mediation and conflict resolution in the western region of Ivory Coast. They intervened in a conflict between indigenous and non-indigenous populations following the municipal elections of March 2001.
- MIDH is a member of the Association of Civil Society for Peace created, after the armed insurrection of September 2002, to prevent and resolve inter-ethnic and religious conflicts.
The organisation is a member of many regional and international bodies. MIDH has partnered with organisations such as the US Embassy, the Embassy of Canada, the Embassy of Switzerland, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ivory Coast, OSIWA (Open Society Initiative for West Africa), the Delegation of the European Union in Ivory Coast, NOVIB (Netherlands), NED (National Endowment for Democracy) and Tetra Tech.