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.

Lindley Couronne,Founder &
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:

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.

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 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.

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

  1. RAJROOP ROSHAN – President   
  2. COLLIN Marie Antoinette – Vice-President
  3. NARAIDOO Gava Naraidoo(Vijay) – Secretary
  4. KEDOO Mohunny –  Assistant Secretary
  5. RUMJAN Laure-May – Treasurer
  6. GOORADOO Dharmanand (Vishnu) – Assistant Treasurer
  7. GHENSAM Prem – Member. Responsible of Good Governance
  8. PUDDEA Ojaswini – Representative Dis-Moi Zenn
  9. VALERE-CICÉRON Mélanie – Staff Representative
  10. BHAYRO Pooja – Co-opted member    

CONTACT PERSONS

Name
Section
Email
Phone Number
Name
Mélanie VALERE-CICÉRON
Section
Safer Internet, Indian Ocean Youth Ecological Countil,
Human Rights & Citizenship Education
Email
Phone Number
Name
Fani RAZANATOVO
Section
Youth Coordination
Email
Phone Number
Name
Vijay NARRAIDOO
Section
Mauritius- Elderly People Rights Commission
Seychelles Regional Office
Email
Phone Number
Name
Bhavish BUDHOO
Section
Mauritius - Probo Law Clinic
Email
Phone Number
Name
Amar MAHADEW
Section
Mauritius -IGO/HGA Coordination, Economic Social Cultural Commission, Comoros Regional Office
Email
Phone Number
Name
Jenila LINDOR
Section
Secretary
Email
Phone Number
Name
Pricila
Section
Secretary
Email
Phone Number
Name
Shagufta
Section
Mauritius Regional Office
Email
Phone Number
Name
Celine LENETTE
Section
Mauritius - Children's Commission
Email
Phone Number
Name
Ulan ARDOL
Section
Madagascar Regional Office
Email
Phone Number
-
Name
Sharifah BOTTEBELLE
Section
Rodrigues - Environment Commission
Email
Phone Number
-
Name
Ezechiel COLLET
Section
Rodrigues - Women & Children Commission
Email
Phone Number
-
Name
Virgilia ROUSSETY JOLICOEUR
Section
Rodrigues - Elderly People's Commission
Email
Phone Number
-

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.