Human Right Monitoring and reporting workshop
In a 3 days a workshop organized by Cladho with the support from UNDP, the objective of the training was to learn techniques of Human Right monitoring and reporting. Opening the workshop Representatives of CLADHO, UN human right Commission and the Rwanda civil society platform all thanked the participants for their time and all who made great effort for the training to happen, they encouraged us to use the tools learned during the time in our daily activities when we go back.
Our facilitators Dr. Eugene and Taima Lydia taught us on the first day the Monitoring Techniques on Human rights where we must use Active collection of Information
Observation and verification of the information
Facts finding of gathering contextual information
When correcting information here is important point to consider:
Impartiality
Information based on evidence
Inclusiveness
Take calculated risks and don’t force people to give you information
Seek consultation, ask for advice
Credibility, confidentiality, be patient, Persistent, consistent.
Interviewing your victims, collecting complaints and testimonies, conduct your interview on site, visit your witnesses and more often use the triangulation method and indirect investigation.
Take photos but consent the victims before using them.
In the group discussion we studied how to take preventive measures to protect victims and witnesses by creating safe space for conversation, changing the recorded voice, and appearing to be familiar with his/her situation.
Avoid gender stereotypes and keep discretion and always check what the law says.
REPORTING
Following monitoring Human Right reporting is to analyze information and produce a full story without emotions, there are problems doing so like threat, violence.
Those are some steps to follow:
Planning thorough research,
Knowledge of the human right instruments,
Concise language.
Characteristics of a good report:
Contain key messages tailored to the target audience
Be self-standing
Be drafted in simple and objective way
Be produced promptly
Be based on collaboration information
Respect confidentiality
While publishing the report better to build the Synergie with other organisations, no field will be developed without community of practice.
Building horizontal synergies, supporting each other
Vertical synergies: Identify people with high power and high interest to people with low power and high interest.
