A team of human rights activists working together in the sector of human rights, equity and social justice as a loose group for about a decade later formalized by registering the group as Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRDA or popularly known as THRD Alliance) in 2011.
THRD Alliance emerged in 2011 during the post Madhes movement period when many extrajudicial killings were taking place in the Terai. The departure of the UN OHCHR in 2010 created a complete vacuum in human rights monitoring in the region. At that time of crisis in the post Madhes movement period, THRD Alliance took the shape of an informal group of rights activists advocating against extra-judicial killings, illegal arrest and torture in the Terai. After the exit of the UN OHCHR from Nepal in 2010, there also was a vacuum in monitoring of illegal and arbitrary arrest and associated violations in Madhes districts and elsewhere in Nepal.
A lack of trust, cultural understanding and lack of a common language can seriously impair efforts by national NGOs when they attempt to work in the Terai. This is a day-to-day problem, however, it reached a peak in the recent failure of the NGO community to effectively monitor and report on massive protests and Bandhs that took place in the far west of Nepal in May 2012 related to federalism and the constitution
Though THRD Alliance is a relatively new organization with limited funding, it may safely be said that it has been very successful in making use of its limited resources as efficiently as possible to achieve the largest impact possible, and in increasing its presence in the Terai region by engaging regularly and well with its beneficiaries and its presence in Nepal as a whole via engagement with parliamentarians, NHRC, local human rights organizations, media houses and international organizations.
Since its establishment, the THRD Alliance has been working on the issues of specific human rights violations related to torture, extrajudicial execution, illegal arrest or detention, citizenship, inclusion and discrimination in the Terai. Its intervention focuses on monitoring, documentation, and litigation for the cases of human rights violations. It also makes lobby or advocacy for policy change when necessary.
Vision
THRD Alliance envisions a culture of human rights in Nepal through the institutionalization of effective social justice delivery mechanisms.
Mission
The mission of THRD Alliance is to achieve the goals of social justice through equality and non-discrimination.
Goal
The common goal of THRD Alliance, whether its efforts are carried out in the Terai or in any part of the country is to strengthen the voice of the Madhes (Terai region) on social justice issues in Nepal, particularly through a legal focus on the state’s obligation to respect and protect human rights without discrimination of any kind.
Legal Identity
- Registered at: District Administration Office, Mahottari
- Registration Number and Date: 1210/4 August 2011
- PAN Number: 305170725
- Affiliation: Social Welfare Council: 33344/13 September 2011
Offices
With its federal office in Kathmandu-based Terai Justice Center, and its head office in Jaleshwar of Mahottari, THRD Alliance works in Nepal through an alliance of human rights defenders and lawyers and the provincial offices (Biratnagar for Province 1, Janakpur for the Province 2, Bhairahwa for Province 5 and Dhangadhi for Province 7), and a contact office based in Nepalgunj.