The “Human Rights” program is responsible for the involvement of the Karl Lévêque Cultural Institute in this specific field. The human rights issue has always been of great importance to the ICKL since its creation in July 1989. Indeed, the Institute could not remain indifferent to justice demands of all kinds, including the persistence of impunity, easier access to public services, better living conditions, and free expression coming from marginalized popular classes. These demands have been expressed with force and consistency since the fall of the Duvaliers in February 1986.

Thus, through this program, ICKL has contributed to the training of several members of different grassroots organizations. His deep conviction and dedication to defending the excluded motivated him to form, in December 1991, with other Haitian institutions, the Platform of Haitian Organizations of Human Rights (POHDH). This initiative was a concrete response to state terrorism, the climate of terror orchestrated by soldiers assisted by their paramilitary auxiliaries during the three years of the military dictatorship (1991-1994). ICKL has also participated in the development of some didactic materials (books, audio cassettes …) for the promotion of Human Rights in Haiti.

Objectives of the program

Through the Human Rights program, the ICKL pursues the following objectives:

  • Contribute to the emergence of a society capable of guaranteeing the fundamental rights of everyone;
  • Contribute to the strengthening of the organizational and persuasive capacities of the democratic and popular movement in order to better combat the discriminatory practices of the Haitian judicial system and the social exclusion of which the majority of the population is victim;
  • Promote new social relations centered around democratic values, the promotion of citizen action and the consideration of the basic needs of all citizens.

Program Activities

The activities of the Human Rights Program are articulated around three axes, which are training, sensitization / mobilization and advocacy for local moving companies in Syracuse.

Training axis

It is about instilling in representatives of some civil society organizations knowledge about human rights that can help them effectively support their communities in their quest for justice.

The sensitization / mobilization axis

By raising awareness / mobilization, the Human Rights program intends to involve many more actors in the struggle for the respect of specific rights.

It aims above all at raising the awareness of those concerned with a view to their conscious participation in this struggle. Through this axis, we also encourage consultation between organizations operating in the same environment and sharing the same views on a specific problem.

Advocacy

Through this axis, the Human Rights program encourages initiatives by organizations to invite local authorities to report on their management and, at the same time, to express their grievances and their point of view on the prospects for local development.