The Human Rights Centre for Social Justice is a small agency based in Batticaloa and one of Nonviolent Peaceforce's close partners. In a picture below you'll see one of our trainers, Jeya, leading a discussion group on protection issues in Batticaloa Town in July 2011. This was a Basic Negotiations Skills and Threat Mitigation training, followed by a Training Of Trainers (TOT) which forms the core of our current capacity building programme. This workshop was attended by 13 men and 6 women all from from the Batticaloa District. The average age of the trainees was 24 yrs with staff and volunteers working together,
‘This area has constant unrest and a new scare of 'Grease Yakkas', only rumoured, is having a fear impact in the Eastern District." says Chika Onah our local Head of Office, "NP wants to increase knowledge and capacity of local change agents/people to deal with protection issues such as these, in the future when NP has left’. 'Most communities are dissatisfied with how police are dealing with these issues’, said Chika, 'There are still protection needs here. The Internationals are leaving but the local people remain feeling more exposed'.
'This is the first time to attend this kind of training' one participants said – 'quite different – this gave us a sense of responsibility for our own protection'.
Human Rights Centre for Social Justice works within the District on Human Rights issues; the rights of displaced people, gender based violence, and they organise 'youth for human rights'. They also have a child rights awareness programme. The founders of the group came from both legal as well as social work backgrounds who come together to help rebuild civil society following the 3 decades long civil war.
"One issue now spreading fear in the community in Batticaloa District is the suspicion of 'grease yakkas'. A Yakka is a traditional evil spirit and many believe that this mythological 'creature' is being used by political forces to creat instability. The police put this down to rumour but this has instilled real fear amongst the people and they feel their concerns, from the minority community, are not being treated seriously. The workshop discussed how the community can better protect itself and mobilise the different parts of the community to work together to reduce fear and increase security."
After breaking into small working groups a representative from each group reports back. In this picture the rapporteur compares a protection strategy to the body - different parts of the body have to work together. "These youth in this training are the future for protection in this community. International agencies are rapidly withdrawing but the local situation still remains volatile. These youth can be change agents in building local trust and ensuring longer term security for the community" Chika NP Batti Head of Field Office.
Group work is a vital tool in helping participants really participants get to grips with the concepts. The metaphor of the human body is used. Each group goes away to think of the specific purpose of each part of the body. They then compare that with the specific parts of the community, schools, church, leaderships, courts, police etc. Each plays a part, when working together, to ensure the security of the whole community.
'NPSL sees groups such as HRCSJ an important vehicle in delivering awareness in the community on strategies to improve civilian protection. They play a vital role now in NP's exit strategy. We are trying to build their capacity to respond to protection needs in the future in a community which remains very volatile', said Chika Onah, the local Head of Field Office in Batticaloa.
‘This area has constant unrest and a new scare of 'Grease Yakkas', only rumoured, is having a fear impact in the Eastern District." says Chika Onah our local Head of Office, "NP wants to increase knowledge and capacity of local change agents/people to deal with protection issues such as these, in the future when NP has left’. 'Most communities are dissatisfied with how police are dealing with these issues’, said Chika, 'There are still protection needs here. The Internationals are leaving but the local people remain feeling more exposed'.
'This is the first time to attend this kind of training' one participants said – 'quite different – this gave us a sense of responsibility for our own protection'.
Human Rights Centre for Social Justice works within the District on Human Rights issues; the rights of displaced people, gender based violence, and they organise 'youth for human rights'. They also have a child rights awareness programme. The founders of the group came from both legal as well as social work backgrounds who come together to help rebuild civil society following the 3 decades long civil war.
"One issue now spreading fear in the community in Batticaloa District is the suspicion of 'grease yakkas'. A Yakka is a traditional evil spirit and many believe that this mythological 'creature' is being used by political forces to creat instability. The police put this down to rumour but this has instilled real fear amongst the people and they feel their concerns, from the minority community, are not being treated seriously. The workshop discussed how the community can better protect itself and mobilise the different parts of the community to work together to reduce fear and increase security."
After breaking into small working groups a representative from each group reports back. In this picture the rapporteur compares a protection strategy to the body - different parts of the body have to work together. "These youth in this training are the future for protection in this community. International agencies are rapidly withdrawing but the local situation still remains volatile. These youth can be change agents in building local trust and ensuring longer term security for the community" Chika NP Batti Head of Field Office.
Group work is a vital tool in helping participants really participants get to grips with the concepts. The metaphor of the human body is used. Each group goes away to think of the specific purpose of each part of the body. They then compare that with the specific parts of the community, schools, church, leaderships, courts, police etc. Each plays a part, when working together, to ensure the security of the whole community.
'NPSL sees groups such as HRCSJ an important vehicle in delivering awareness in the community on strategies to improve civilian protection. They play a vital role now in NP's exit strategy. We are trying to build their capacity to respond to protection needs in the future in a community which remains very volatile', said Chika Onah, the local Head of Field Office in Batticaloa.
