Recommendations on Legal Aid at Police Station

Prompt access to legal advice and assistance is the key to guaranteeing a fair trial and the rule of law.2 The first few hours of contact with the criminal justice system are among the most crucial for those arrested and/or detained. In this context, discussions around possible models of legal aid at police station are of prime importance.

Legal Aid at Police Stations

The early phase of the criminal justice process is the most crucial period for those arrested or detained for an offence. Presence of a lawyer at this phase is important to safeguard the rights accorded to them.

Action: CHRI's appeal for urgent action: Illegal arrest of Dr Shahidul Alam (Bangladesh)

CHRI submitted an urgent action appeal to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Working Group of Arbitrary Detention, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders and Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.

Justice A P Shah, Chairperson, Citizens Whisteblowers Forum writes to the Indian PM to prevent derailment of anti-corruption efforts

"Justice A. P. Shah, former Chief Justice of the Madras and Delhi High Courts, has written to the Prime Minister of India in his capacity as the Chairman of the Citizens Whistleblowers Forum, expressing concerns about the recent measures to dilute various legislations which could result in a spurt on corruption related offences.

JAIL MAIL: NELSON MANDELA DAY

On Nelson Mandela Day, CHRI through this Jail Mail intends to raise awareness around issues relating to minimum standards which must be adhered to when incarcerating prisoners.

Joint Recommendations for a Police Complaints Authority for Delhi

CHRI held a round-table consultation on the reconstitution of the Delhi Police Complaints Authority on 19 June 2018. The consultation saw the participation of civil society organisations, individual experts, representatives of the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police.

Report on Panel Discussion on ‘Reducing Pre-Trial Detention in the Commonwealth’

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) releases its report on ‘Reducing Use of Pre-Trial Detention in the Commonwealth’, an outcome of a panel discussion on why and how, and with what effect, countries in the Commonwealth have undertaken reforms to reduce prison populations and improve prison systems.

Bringing Them Home, Repatriation of Indian Nationals from Foreign Prisons, A Barrier Analysis

This report has been prepared by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in 2017, under its Prison Reforms Programme. Hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals are known to travel abroad irregularly every year and many thousands more by due process.