Human Rights Defenders

Human Rights Defenders, put simply, are anyone who is involved with or who actively promotes the tenets of human rights. They can be front-line defenders, to humanitarian workers and activists and even to people who write blogs or light a candle in solidarity.

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Rights

CHRI campaigns against policies and practices, which stigmatise and marginalise the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. It argues for the repeal of laws that penalise same-sex sexual conduct between consenting adults.

National Human Rights Institutions

There are now over 30 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the Commonwealth. CHRI, advocates for the establishment of Paris Principles compliant NHRIs in all countries of the Commonwealth, and works to strengthen partnerships between NHRIs and civil society organisations.

Observing the Commonwealth at the UN Human Rights Council

CHRI has been working with the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) since it was established in 2006.

Ministerial Meetings

The Commonwealth Secretariat is responsible for organising ministerial level meetings of education ministers, finance ministers, foreign ministers, health ministers, law ministers, tourism ministers, women's affairs ministers and youth ministers, from the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)

CHRI makes regular submissions to CMAG drawing attention to breaches in Commonwealth values. CMAG was established in 1995 by the Commonwealth Heads of Government as part of the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Plan.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Since 1971, 23 CHOGM meetings have been held in 18 countries. The venue of each meeting is announced well before hand; and the head of state of the host country becomes the Chair until the next meeting.

Commonwealth Reforms

CHRI has long advocated for better adherence to human rights. It has consistently said “The Commonwealth is about Human Rights or it is about nothing at all.