Sugandha Shankar

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit, organisation headquartered in New Delhi, with offices in London, UK, and Accra, Ghana. Since 1987, it has worked for the practical realization of human rights through research, strategic advocacy, capacity building, engagement and mobilization within the Commonwealth. CHRI specializes in the areas of access to justice, with a focus on police and prison reforms, and access to information. It works to address pressures on the freedom of expression and on media rights, as well as building the capacity of civil society in small states to access UN human rights mechanisms. CHRI also works to support the achievement of SDG Target 8.7 and the eradication of contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking through research and grassroots mobilisation. CHRI is a Commonwealth Accredited Organisation and has a Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC. It is registered as a society in India, a Company Limited by Guarantee in Ghana, and a public charity in the United Kingdom.