Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Description

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, CHRI, is an independent nonprofit organization working for the practical realization of human rights across Commonwealth countries.

Its work centers on access to information and access to justice, including police reform and prison reform. It also runs a programme against contemporary forms of slavery and an International Advocacy and Programming unit that monitors Commonwealth states’ human rights commitments. It presses for reform within the Commonwealth, promotes stronger national human rights institutions, and supports human rights defenders, activists and journalists, including through the South Asia Media Defenders Network.

CHRI relies on research, monitoring, workshops, public education campaigns and cooperation with civil society networks and coalitions. It advocates before Commonwealth institutions and international human rights bodies for adherence to the Harare Declaration and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has published numerous reports on human rights issues across Commonwealth countries.

CHRI was founded in London in 1987 and registered in New Delhi in 1993, where its headquarters now stand. It also has offices in London, United Kingdom, and Accra, Ghana, coordinating work across South Asia, East Africa and other Commonwealth countries.