about us
who we are?
DIS-MOI (Droits Humains-Océan Indien is a non-governmental organisation that promotes human rights culture in the South-West Indian Ocean region.
DIS-MOI invests in Human Rights and Citizenship education, through online training for all with a participatory and tailored approach. Along with local stakeholders, ministries and civil organisations, we engage in large scale public campaigns, distribution of educational material and awareness raising through long cycles of peer to peer groups led by youth and people with disabilities.
We aim at raising awareness on fundamental human rights issues and creating a network of supporters within local and regional civil society.
key definitions
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights can be defined as those rights that every individual possesses simply by virtue of being a human being. The concept of human rights introduces the idea of justice and equality into the world.
CITIZENSHIP
Despite our differences, we resemble all the citizens of our country, because we are neither superior nor inferior to them. We are all citizens of the same country. With the same rights and duties.
Our story
DIS-MOI ( Droits Humain Océan Indien) was founded in 2011 by Lindley Couronne, former director of Amnesty International in Mauritius island, who, along with a group of teachers, lawyers and human rights activists decided to start the first regional Human Rights Organisation in the South West Indian Ocean. DIS-MOI was founded in 2012 in Mauritius around a project for a society fairer in accordance with the fundamental values of human rights.
The organisation which is not constrained by political, religious or commercial objectives was formally registered with Mauritian authorities in 2012 and in 2013 received its first grant from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
Since the opening of our first office in Mauritius, DIS-MOI has now hired permanent teams in Rodrigues and Madagascar and transformed the original office into a Regional Secretariat now managing 6 projects, 35 staffs and around 150 volunteers.
General Director DIS-MOI
Our Mission & Vision
DIS-MOI’s mission is to promote human rights in the south-west Indian Ocean as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and have a south-western part of the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion) where there is a real culture of human rights. We endorse Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute as much as possible to the realisation of these goals. We are particularly committed to SDG 1: No Poverty,SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land
Our Focus
The key focus of DIS-MOI are as follows:
- Training;Human rights and citizenship education.
- Advocacy: Dis-Moi's advocacy work aims to influence public policy and raise civil society's awareness of crucial human rights issues and the ratification and domestication of human rights treaties.
- Legal advice: Dis-Moi, through its Pro Bono Law Clinic in Mauritius, offers free legal advice to Mauritians in need of legal assistance.
- Activism: Dis-Moi's activism focuses on the promotion and protection of human and environmental rights in the south-west Indian Ocean, with a particular emphasis on engaging young people (in educational establishments).
Our Core Values
At DIS-MOI, our work is guided by our core values to ensure that our goals set are achieved in a consistent manner.
- Justice & Accountability: Our goal is to ensure that justice is accessible to every individual regardless of his or her background, colour, ethnicity or religious beliefs.
- Human Dignity & Equality: We strive for a more equal world, where fairness reigns, regardless of where we work and with whom we work.
- Empowerment & Education: We advocate for strong minds. We bolster youth’s confidence so they become actors of their own lives and value our staff and partners to ensure they unveil and fulfil their potential.
- Sustainability & Inclusivity: We strive for inclusion and involvement of all from the start, ensuring that differences are valued, promoted, included and respected.
Organisation & Structure
DIS-MOI team has been orginised in a well-stuctured manner to ensure that decisions are undertaken and executed in a fair and professional manner. From the secretary to members, everyone is assigned is pre-defined roles to undertake tasks and projects accordingly.
regional offices
DIS-MOI operates across the southwest Indian Ocean region, focusing on human rights advocacy, education, and community engagement. Our regional sections enable us to address local challenges while fostering a shared commitment to human dignity and justice. Each section brings unique perspectives and expertise, contributing to our mission of creating a society where human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
We have our offices in:
Comoros
Madagascar
Mauritius
Rodrigues
Seychelles
DIS-MOI Club
What are they?
The DIS-MOI club is set in secondary schools. They bring together young people aged 15 to 19. Young people are encouraged to develop skills, attitude and values such as curiosity, responsibility, observation, communication, collaboration and problem-solving to become better leaders and facilitators in their society.
- Activities
– Presentations and lectures on human rights
– Explanation of young people’s collective and individual responsibilities in the face of human rights problems and violations in the world and their everyday environment.
– Basic or advanced training workshop/conference on human rights and citizenship.
– Presentation of resources or tools for organising events (concept note, budget, programme).
– In the Dis-Moi clubs, young people are encouraged to develop skills, attitudes, and values such as curiosity, responsibility, observation, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving to become better leaders and facilitators in their society.
DIS-MOI Zenn
Dis-Moi Zenn is the youth wing of Dis-Moi (Human Rights Indian Ocean). It was established in December 2022 as a pilot project in Mauritius but now targets young people in the southwest Indian Ocean region. Dis-Moi Zenn currently has members aged between 16 to 25.
– Mauritius: 30 members
– Madagascar: 15 members
– Rodrigues: 20 members
– Comoros: 50 members
All the members come from Dis-Moi clubs, various universities and young people who already have a job. At Dis-Moi Zenn, we have dedicated and committed human rights activists who firmly believe that everyone should be aware not only of their rights but also of their duties and responsibilities.
DIS-MOI Senior
What is it?
Dis-Moi Senior is an initiative which focuses on the promotion and protection of the rights of older people in the Indian Ocean region.
The programme aims to raise public awareness of older people’s rights, combat age discrimination, and promote their well-being and inclusion in society.
Dis-Moi Senior works to highlight the challenges faced by older people, such as access to healthcare, abuse, social isolation, and the need for adequate social protection. We also work to encourage the active participation of senior citizens in the community and promote intergenerational dialogue to strengthen social ties.
In addition, Dis-Moi Senior encourages retired people to volunteer for the organisation, share their expertise and knowledge, and actively campaign for human rights.
board members
- RAJROOP ROSHAN – President
- COLLIN Marie Antoinette – Vice-President
- NARAIDOO Gava Naraidoo(Vijay) – Secretary
- KEDOO Mohunny – Assistant Secretary
- RUMJAN Laure-May – Treasurer
- GOORADOO Dharmanand (Vishnu) – Assistant Treasurer
- GHENSAM Prem – Member. Responsible of Good Governance
- PUDDEA Ojaswini – Representative Dis-Moi Zenn
- VALERE-CICÉRON Mélanie – Staff Representative
- BHAYRO Pooja – Co-opted member
CONTACT PERSONS
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Name
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Section
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Email
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Phone Number
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Mélanie VALERE-CICÉRON
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Safer Internet, Indian Ocean Youth Ecological Countil,
Human Rights & Citizenship Education |
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Fani RAZANATOVO
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Youth Coordination
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Vijay NARRAIDOO
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Mauritius- Elderly People Rights Commission
Seychelles Regional Office |
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Bhavish BUDHOO
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Mauritius - Probo Law Clinic
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Amar MAHADEW
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Mauritius -IGO/HGA Coordination, Economic Social Cultural Commission, Comoros Regional Office
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Jenila LINDOR
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Secretary
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Pricila
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Secretary
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Shagufta
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Mauritius Regional Office
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Celine LENETTE
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Mauritius - Children's Commission
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Ulan ARDOL
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Madagascar Regional Office
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Sharifah BOTTEBELLE
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Rodrigues - Environment Commission
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Ezechiel COLLET
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Rodrigues - Women & Children Commission
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Virgilia ROUSSETY JOLICOEUR
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Rodrigues - Elderly People's Commission
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regional involvement
Various clubs have been set up in the region to ensure Dis-Moi activities are carried out effectively:
DIS-MOI Zenn clubs which aims for mainly youth empowerment have been successfully set up as follows:
We have reached 6,821 people through our awareness and training workshops on human rights. We have contributed to significant changes in human rights and citizenship education.
