OBJECTIVES

The objectives of Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting will be met through the following thematic areas:

ACTIVITIES

For easy realization of its mandates, CHRER:

a. organizes conferences, seminar, workshops, lectures on human rights
b researches, documents and takes statistics of cases of human rights violations and activities
c. publishes and distributes leaflets and journals on human rights violations and activities
d sensitizes and mobilizes people to take action against violations of human rights
e. establishes human rights clubs in all learning institutions and states of the federation.
f organizes meetings and deliberations with NGO’s and other Governmental bodies on issues concerning human rights

STRUCTURE

Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting, CHRER is run by the following:

ACTION

Human rights protection, promotion, education and reporting are the nerve centre of CHRER INTERNATIONAL’s action. Information about specific abuses and on-going violations are being gathered by its fact-finding missions and strategies are being established in collaboration with local and international activists and cases are being established, publicized, reported and remedies are sought. CHRER carefully scrutinizes the objectivity and evaluates the accuracy of all information it receives. It is committed to multiculturalism and grassroots participation.

DRAFT COPY OF THE CONSTITUTION OF CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION & REPORTING – CHRER INTERNATIONAL JANUARY 2003. LAGOS NIGERIA.

NAME

The name of the organization shall be CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION & REPORTING – CHRER. INTERNATIONAL

HEADQUARTERS

The headquarters of the organization shall be located at the Federal Capital Territory or any other town in Nigeria as may be decided by the Executive Members in consultation with the Executive Director of the organization.

INTERPRETATION

In this Constitution,
CHRER shall mean: Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting.
AGM shall mean: Annual General Meeting
GCM shall mean: Group Coordinators Meeting
NBA shall mean: National Board of Advisors
PCM shall mean: Programme Coordinators Meeting
ED shall mean: Executive Director
HRG: Shall mean: Human Rights Group
NEC shall mean: National Executive Council
PC shall mean: Programme Coordinator
GD shall mean: Grand Patron
NS shall mean: National Secretariat

Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting, CHRER INTERNATIONAL is an independent, impartial, non-profit making and non governmental human rights organization that brings together human rights experts and activists, bridging division of race, religion, culture, ethnic, class and gender to work for the common purposes of human rights protection, promotion, education and reporting worldwide.

CHRER shall be dedicated to actions for the civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights of the citizenry.

CHRER shall work in collaboration with community based, national and international human rights organizations.

FORMATION.

VISION

“To accelerate human rights literacy so as to become an integral part of everyday life”

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting, a non governmental human rights organization, based in Nigeria is to educate and promote human rights through monitoring, documentation, evaluation, enlightenment and reporting human rights in order to improve knowledge and human rights norms as enshrined in national and international statutes.

MANDATES

Considering that every person has the right freely to hold and to express his or her convictions and the obligation to extend a like freedom to others, the mandate of CHRER INTERNATIONAL shall be to secure throughout the world the observance of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), International Covenant on Social Economic and Cultural Rights (ICSECR) and any other treaties recognized Nationally & Internationally by:

In line with its conceptual declaration, CHRER aims essentially:

The objectives of Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting will be met through the following thematic areas:

ACTIVITIES

For easy realization of its mandates, CHRER:
a. Organizes conferences, seminar, workshops, lectures on human rights
b. Researches, documents and takes statistics of cases of human rights violations and activities
c. Publishes and distributes leaflets and journals on human rights violations and activities
d. Sensitizes and mobilizes people to take action against violations of human rights
e. Establishes human rights clubs in all learning institutions and states of the federation.
f. Organizes meetings and deliberations with NGO¡¦s and other Governmental bodies on issues concerning human rights

STRUCTURE

Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting, CHRER is run by the following:

ACTION.

Human rights protection, promotion, education and reporting are the nerve centre of CHRER INTERNATIONAL's action. Information about specific abuses and on-going violations are being gathered by its fact-finding missions and strategies are being established in collaboration with local and international activists and cases are being established, publicized, reported and remedies are sought.

CHRER carefully scrutinizes the objectivity and evaluates the accuracy of all information it receives. It is committed to multiculturalism and grassroots participation.

RELATION & ACTION

The organization shall relate, cooperate and participate in actions being taken by any other non-governmental human rights organizations that work towards the realization of its mandates nationally and internationally.

HUMAN RIGHTS CLUB.

The organization shall establish Human Rights Clubs in all learning institutions and states of the federation. There shall be Club Coordinator who will also serve as contact person of the organization. The establishment of the Human Rights Clubs shall be due to the reasons listed below:

COOPERATION.

The club shall at all times cooperate with the National Secretariat in all activities. In furtherance of this cooperation, the clubs shall submit monthly report of activities to the National Secretariat. The clubs shall send representatives to the Annual General Meeting as may be organized by the organization.

The club shall maintain close relations with other Human Rights Clubs of the organization. The clubs shall pay such fees as may be decided by the National Secretariat.

The clubs shall at all times take directive from the National secretariat before any action is taken.

ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION AT CLUB LEVEL.

CHRER in consultation with any particular Human Rights Club shall:

ORGANIZATION OF CLUB.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the organization shall be open to:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING- (AGM).

a. There shall be AGM at a place and date chosen by the NEC in consultation with the Executive Director.
Notice of not less than thirty (30) days shall be given to all clubs, programme committees and any other arms of the organization.
Human Rights Experts and Activists who are seen to be working towards the realizations of the mandates of the organization may be invited by the NEC to attend the AGM as observers with a right to participate in the discussion.
The Grand Patron shall open the proceedings of the AGM and in his absence; the Chairman of NEC shall do so.
The proceedings at the AGM shall be conducted in accordance with standing order as may be adopted for use by NEC and Patrons of the organization.
The AGM shall receive, consider and approve the Annual Report and Audited Account of all clubs as may be presented by the contact persons.
The AGM shall consider and approve the fundraising strategies for the following year.

REGISTRATION AND ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES.

The registration and annual subscription fees to be paid by members of the organization may be recommended and received by the NEC in consultation with the Executive Director. The NEC on the recommendation of the Executive Director shall decide the portion of various fees or levies that shall be remitted to the organization and the portion to be retained by the clubs.

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMME COMMITTEES.

AD-HOC COMMITTEES

The NEC may appoint any other Ad-Hoc committees to undertake specified assignments as it fits. The NEC in consultation with the Executive Director may also assign specified duties and responsibilities to any member of the organization as it may deem fit.

PROGRAMME COORDINATORS.

The National Secretariat will follow due process as may be prescribed by NEC to appoint professionals as programme coordinators to oversee the affairs of the specialized programme committees as indicated in the constitution. The committees shall meet regularly to discuss on issues concerning their respective programmes and shall report to the National Secretariat.

ZONAL OFFICE.

The organization shall establish zonal offices in different zones of the country with zonal officers to oversee the activities and development of the Human Rights Clubs. The zonal officers shall: Be responsible for the development of Human Rights clubs.

Oversee all activities of the Human Rights Clubs Take directive from the National Secretariat. Give report of all activities at club and zonal level to the National Headquarters.

Be the contact person of the organization at the zone.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS.

EMPLOYEES

There shall be employed by the Executive Director in consultation with the NEC and approval of the Patron(s) an Administrative Officer, Progrmme Officers, Office Secretary, Office Assistants, Zonal Development Officers and any other staff of the organization as may be decided by the Executives.

All staff shall be under the supervision of the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall advice the NEC and Patrons on issues concerning the welfare of all employees. All employees shall be responsible to the Executive Director of the organization. All employees shall strictly follow their weekly work plan as may be approved by the Executive Director and shall give report of his or her work every two weeks.

22. PATRON / MATRON

There shall be appointed by the Executive Director on the recommendation of the Board of Advisors Patron / Matron of the organization. The Patrons / Matrons shall automatically be members of the organization. They shall meet the qualifications provided by this constitution as follow:

Be citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria Shall have no criminal record Shall have good record on human rights in terms of political, cultural, civil, economic, social and corporate responsibilities.
Shall have national and international reputation Shall be financially buoyant to help in the development of the organization

23. CO-OPTED MEMBERS

The Patron / Matron may co-opt any other person or persons to act in the capacity of Patron / Matron of the organization. These persons as may be agreed by Patrons in consultation with the Executive Director shall have equal rights as initially appointed members of Patrons / Matrons.

DUTIES OF PATRON / MATRON

The duties of Patron / Matron shall include the following:
Advise on the administration of the organization and other matters relating thereto.
Place his specific knowledge and experience at the disposal of the organization.
Keep himself open to the Executive Director of the organization for the purposes of consultation, advice and support.
Be Chief Fundraiser of the organization Assist in the Home Government Lobbying activities in affairs regarding human rights as may be considered by the organization.
Assist in contributing morally and financially to the growth and development of the organization. Meet at a place, date and time as may be agreed by other members of Patrons.
Co-opt the Executive Director of the organization to serve as Secretary and Liaison Officer for the entire membership of the organization.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

There shall be a NEC appointed by the Executive Director in consultation with the Board of Advisors. These shall be made up of ten (10) members.

CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT

Shall be citizens of Nigeria.
Shall not have any criminal offence involving dishonesty by any court of competent jurisdiction. Shall have commitment to the work of human rights in terms of political, economic, civil, cultural, social and corporate responsibilities.
Shall have good reputation around the country and abroad.

DUTIES OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC)

Members of NEC shall at all times work to:
Strengthen relations between the organization and other national and international human rights organizations Contribute to the achievement of the mandates of the organization.
Meet at least twice a year to discuss welfare and administration of the organization at such a place and time as may be agreed by members of the NEC.
Help raise the funds needed to research, document, publicize and stop human rights violations around the world.
Attend any general meeting of the organization. Cooperate with Patron / Matron and other arms of the organization in affairs regarding the development and administration of the organization.
Contribute morally and financially to the growth and development of the organization.
Open to the Executive Director of the organization for the purposes of advice, consultation, advice and support on issues concerning the organization.

The Executive Director of the organization shall be co-opted as member of the NEC. He shall serve as Secretary and Liaison Officer for the entire membership. He shall also participate in the discussion and deliberations of the meeting.

CO-OPTED MEMBERS

The NEC shall be vested with power to co-opt at most five (5) other persons to act in the capacity of the National Executive Council of the organization. The co-opted members shall have equal rights as other members of the council. They shall be appointed in consultation with, and recommendation of the Executive Director.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

There shall be appointed Board of Advisors. These shall be professionals on different areas that concern human rights. These shall include Lawyers, Businessmen, Journalists, Ambassadors, Human Rights Experts and Activists etc. They shall advice the Executive Director in the day to day running of the organization. They shall be members of the organization. They shall meet at a place and date as may be agreed by them. The Executive Director shall always be part of the meeting to serve as Secretary and Spokesperson of the organization.

The Patrons and Executive Director shall cause the organization to the Incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission under the provision of part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Patrons and the Executive Director of the organization by virtue of the grant of a certificate of incorporation under part c of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 shall become a body corporate by the name described in the certificate and shall have perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in such corporate name, and subject to any conditions and directions contained in the said certificate.

Any dispute which may arise between any club or member in any affairs concerning the organization shall be referred to the NEC on the recommendation of the Executive Director and the decision of the NEC shall be binding. In case it requires urgent action before the meeting of the NEC, the Executive Director shall be vested with power to take appropriate decision and such decision shall be binding on all parties. This decision may be reported at the NEC meeting.

A member of NEC shall hold office for four (4) years after which there shall be a general appointment of new members of the NEC. Any member upon satisfaction of service by the organization may be re-appointed for one more term to serve in the same capacity or any other. Any member of NEC may be replaced by another person upon non-performance of duties before the expiration of any specific term. A member of NEC shall also cease to hold office if he / she:

Ceases to be a member of the organization.
Resigns his / her office Is officially bankrupt Is convicted of a criminal offence involving dishonesty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Is recommended for removal from office by a majority vote of members of NEC. The recommendation shall be sent to the Executive Director for appropriate action

35. A member of Board of Patrons shall hold office for five (5) years after which there shall be a general appointment of new members while the old members shall become honourary Grand Patrons of the organization. Any member upon satisfaction of service may be re-appointed to serve in the same capacity. Any member of Board of Patron may be replaced upon negligence of duties before the expiration of any specific term. A member of Board of Patron shall also cease to hold office if he / she:

Ceases to be a member of the organization. Resigns his / her office Is officially bankrupt d Is convicted of a criminal offence involving dishonesty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Is recommended for removal from office by a majority vote of members of Board of Patrons. The recommendation shall be sent to the Executive Director for appropriate actions.

COMMON SEAL

The organization shall have a common seal, which shall have the name of the organization around the logo as Centre for Human Rights Education & Reporting (CHRER INTRNATIONAL) The common seal shall be kept by the Executive Director of the organization.

BANK ACCOUNTS

The organization shall maintain Bank Accounts with reputable Banks in the country. The signatories to the accounts shall include the Executive Director, Treasurer and the Financial Secretary. The Executive Director shall be vested with power to withdraw money from the accounts with one of the other signatories signing the cheque. But the other two signatories cannot by any reason withdraw money from the accounts without the Executive Director signing the cheque.

DISCIPLINE

If the NEC holds the opinion that the act of conduct of any member of the organization or any member of the recognized arms of the organization is inconsistent with the mandate of the organization or any provision of this constitution, or that such act or conduct is likely to bring the organization, a Human Rights Club or a programme committee to ridicule or disrepute, the NEC shall set up an Ad-Hoc Disciplinary Committee of at least three members to enquire into the matter and make recommendation to the NEC. The NEC after due deliberations on the recommendations shall take any disciplinary measure it deems fit. This decision shall be passed across to the Executive Director for appropriate action.

RESIGNATION

a. A member of NEC or a Programme Committee may resign his office by giving written notice to the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall present the notice to the Board of Patron for consideration. The Board of Patron may accept or reject the notice. The Board after due consideration and deliberations shall inform the concerned member through the Executive Director.

Any member of Board of Patron may resign his / her office by giving written notice to the NEC through the Executive Director. The notice shall not be effective until the NEC in consultation with the Executive Director deliberate on the matter. The NEC may accept or reject the notice and thereafter take any action it deems appropriate in the circumstance through the Executive Director

AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

This constitution may be amended by the Board of Patron with the recommendation of the NEC in consultation with the Executive Director. The Board of Patron, NEC, Programme Committees or a Human Rights Club may submit amendment. Proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall include the proposed amendment in the agenda of meeting of the NEC. After due deliberations, the NEC in consultation with the Executive Director may recommend the amendment for ratification by the Board of Patrons. The ratification shall be made available to the Executive Director for appropriate action.

SPECIAL CLAUSE

The income and property of the organization whenever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the mandates of the organization as set forth in the constitution. The leadership of this organization shall not be transferred to any other person rather than the founder who as well serves as the Executive Director of the organization.

No member of Board of Patrons, National Board of Advisors and National Executive Council shall be appointed to any salaried office of the organization. No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to or in this constitution, unless the ratification have been previously submitted by the Board of Patrons to the Executive Director and approved by the Minister responsible for Companies and Allied Matters.