Theme: Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming

CHRI’s Submissions/Statements at CHOGM:

1. Joint Statement on Rwanda: CHRI, together with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, released a Joint Statement on the human rights situation in Rwanda. This statement raised concerns about human rights violations in Rwanda, and proposed recommendations to the Rwandan Government.
2. CHRI’s Pre-Trial Detention Report : CHRI launched  a Report for CHOGM 2022 titled ‘Guilty till Proven Innocent?’, which highlights  promises and  gaps in the criminal justice policies and legal frameworks within the Commonwealth. 
3. Modern Slavery Statement: CHRI’s joint statement on modern slavery highlighted  the urgent need for action as COVID-19 and conflicts like the Ukraine crisis worsen vulnerabilities. With 40% of modern slavery victims in Commonwealth countries and a significant rise in child trafficking, it is crucial that states renew their commitments. We urged Commonwealth leaders to: intensify efforts to meet SDG 8.7, enhance support for survivors, ensure access to remedies, criminalise all forms of modern slavery, and strengthen protections for vulnerable groups. Read the statement here.

CHOGM Forums:

1. Women’s Forum: Sneh Aurora  moderated  the session Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Engaging Men. The session explored  violence against women and girls, focusing  on programmes that  engage men and boys as agents of positive change and the  critical role of data  in understanding VAWG and its broader  impacts.
2. People’s Forum: The Session “People-centred Approaches in Criminal Justice Systems: Trends and Challenges”, hosted by CHRI, provided  insights into  trends within  the Commonwealth, emphasising people-centred justice services. During this  session,  CHRI launched its report  ‘Guilty till Proven Innocent?,  identifying  promises and  gaps in criminal justice policies and legal frameworks, 

Side Events:

1. Shrinking civic space and freedoms in Commonwealth Africa: a deliberate silence, feigned ignorance or indifference?: CHRI participated in a side-event organised by CIVICUS and WACSI. The event discussed  shrinking civic space and violations of the right to  freedom of expression in Africa, urging  Commonwealth governments to create an enabling environment for open dialogue and improve democratic standards.
2. Exploring the nexus between Climate Crisis and Modern Slavery: Impacts, good practices and partnerships: This event  hosted by CHRI in collaboration with the Walk Free Foundation and the 8.7 Network brought together diverse voices affected by modern slavery exacerbated by climate change. Panellists shared good practices for tackling  the challenges posed by climate change in  eradicating modern slavery, emphasising the  crucial roles of civil society and state actors.
3. People-centred Approaches in Criminal Justice Systems: Trends and Challenges: Hosted by  CHRI, this event provided  insights into current trends in the Commonwealth regarding people-centred justice services. During the session, CHRI launched its 2022 Report for CHOGM, ‘Guilty till Proven Innocent?’, which highlights promises and gaps in criminal justice policy and legal frameworks.

Read our press release here.