You are here: > About SDN > What We Do > Human Rights > SDN's Approach

SDN's Approach to Human Rights in the Delta

SDN views its Human Rights program as one that supports and reinforces its other core program areas: Community Empowerment, Governance and Peace Building. The current social and political environment in the Niger Delta is not conducive with the maintenance of fundamental human rights. The dominance of patronage networks and increasingly violent criminalisation of politics places increased importance on the role civil society will play as human rights champions in the Niger Delta. SDN views its role as one focusing on communication, facilitation and initiation between local, national and international defenders and funders of human rights. The information gathered will serve to inform policy and promote interventions that focus on the impact of the human rights violations on the environment and the livelihoods of the local communities. SDN's initiative will be non discriminatory and based on a participatory human rights approach, with emphasis on women and youth groups.

The negative impact of some economic activities of the extractive industries is partly due to the lack of monitoring and control on their operating practices, often resulting from a failure to uphold their own policies. The negative consequences of these activities for the environment and society in the Niger Delta are alarming and deserve a higher level of attention both on the national and international level. SDN aims to face these economic, social and environmental challenges in order to support the communities directly affected by these activities in their everyday life. Apart from other human rights, the companies operating in the Niger Delta must respect the communities' property rights and ensure that their actions do not have a negative impact on the health and safety of the people.

SDN aims to provide information on human rights and to support communities in the understanding of their basic rights. This process will increase the levels of peace and security in work places and in the villages, reducing the actions linked to violence.