The development of CSHRN can be divided into four phases:
Identification phase: July 2002 – July 2004
During the identification phase, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) together with local partners was analyzing the situation of human rights and civil society in Afghanistan. Through dialogue and brainstorming, ideas were developed on what could be done to strengthen human rights in the country. DIHR conducted three identification missions to Afghanistan during this period. At the same time, two capacity building programs for women organizations were organized.
1. Phase: August 2004 – June 2006
During this period, the structure of the network was organized and first activities in the field of human rights carried. It was in its establishment as well as in its professional development by DIHR and in specific fields also with the support of the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP). The necessary funding was mostly provided by the Danish Government (DANIDA); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provided very specific funding for the first human rights manual.
CSHRN as a network among 25 Afghan human rights and civil society organizations with proper statutes was established in August 2004. In this phase, CSHRN concentrated on capacity building and public awareness raising in the field of human rights as well as coordination among the different devil society and human rights organizations. It developed a human rights radio program and several publications and training material on human rights for this purpose.
Due to the still limited capacities of the network as well as the member organisations, the activities were concentrated in Kabul, although already human rights activists from the regions got invited. Around 60 organisations were members of the network during this phase.
2. Phase: July 2006 – December 2008
In this phase, a major focus was put on expanding the activities of CSHRN to the eastern, the northern and the western part of Afghanistan and coordination facilities were established in Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad.
An overall strategy for the network was established in order to provide a framework for the activities of the network that makes it effective in the reaching its goals. This strategy has been continuously further developed during the second phase.
The fields of work continued to be concentrated on coordination and capacity building. Besides thematic issues, also institutional capacity building took place during this phase. The coordination was expanded not only to include human rights organizations, but also coordinate between civil society and state institutions. Work had also started in indirect advocacy, through influencing new laws to be in accordance to international human rights standards and to work with parliamentarians and media.
The professional for the network was provided by DIHR and STP, the funding by DANIDA and SDC.
3. Phase January 2009 to December 2011
During this phase, the work on capacity building will be stronger focused women rights and on monitoring and reporting about the implementation of human rights in Afghanistan. The coordination will be further strengthened in the central area of Afghanistan and the coordination and cooperation with ACSF and AIHRC will be further clarified and made effective. Efforts in the field of advocacy will include work against family violence and access to information. The publication and media efforts will be continued and further expanded.
The professional support is provided for this phase by DIHR, while STP is giving specific input regarding institutional capacities and project management. The overall funds come from DANIDA and SDC, but certain smaller projects are directly funded by additional donors.
