Right To Information Activists From India and Afghanistan Exchange Ideas

Afghanistan’s Right To Information Law went into effect in December 2014. A country just emerging from nearly 40 years of war has given its citizens access to information on how their government works.

Maldives decision aimed at stifling democracy

A group of Human Rights organizations and activists from South Asia, expressing disappointment at the decision of the Maldives to leave the Commonwealth, says this could lead to greater authoritarianism in the island nation.

Maldives quits the Commonwealth

In a surprise move the Maldivian government announced it would quit the Commonwealth, the Maldives Independent has reported.

The RTI law turns 11: A CHRI Perspective in the Media

October 12, 2016, marked the 11th anniversary of the Right To Information law in India. The strength of the law is impressive enough that it has been ranked among the top five in the world.

Diplomat Says India Detached from Gross Abuses in Maldives

The Maldives has come under the scrutiny of two international human rights organizations, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and Amnesty International.

Sanjoy Hazarika appointed Director of CHRI

Sanjoy Hazarika appointed Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) New Delhi, October 4 -- Mr Sanjoy Hazarika, a human rights activist recognised internationally for designing and developing innovative strategies for inclusive health and governance who is also a scholar, a

CHRI Releases Updated Human Rights Advocacy Guide

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) today released an updated handbook on human rights advocacy in the Commonwealth. Our last edition was published in 2005.

CHRI responds to Commonwealth watchdog’s opinion on the Maldives

The situation in the Maldives continues to worsen. But the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), the watchdog appointed by the Commonwealth to guard democratic values in member states, continues to bark but not bite. CHRI responds to the latest review of the Maldives by CMAG.

CHRI marks Right to Know Day with, well, Information

Today, September 28, is International Right to Know Day. And, no, it’s not a holiday. We are glad to report that the fight to effect right to information laws in the Commonwealth has seen marked success this year. In 2016, Sri Lanka and Kenya enacted information access laws.

A News Conference in Delhi finds Indian Police Reform in the Doldrums

On the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark Prakash Singh judgment in 2006, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) partnered with the Indian Police Foundation (IPF) at a news conference today and called on states and the Centre to urgently improve police