NIHRC Celebrates Inclusion on Commonwealth Day 2016

14 March 2016

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is celebrating Commonwealth Day. This year’s celebration holds particular significance as the Commission recently became the New Chair of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions.

CFNHRI Chair & NIHRC Chief Commissioner Les Allamby stated:

“The theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’ as it sets out to celebrate the shared values and diversity of the Commonwealth. Since taking the role as Chair we have building on existing work on conflict resolution, disability and equality. We will be presenting the Forums work at the International Co-coordinating Committee next week in Geneva.”

The Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI) is an informal and inclusive body of Commonwealth Nation Institutions with 37 members across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, North America and the Pacific. As the New Chair, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will build on the work already being carried out by CFNHRI, which covers conflict resolution, disability and equality.

The Commonwealth is home to 2.2 billion citizens and includes some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. This year’s theme of inclusion hopes to echo the Commonwealth Charter, which asserts that everyone is equal and deserves to be treated fairly – regardless of their race, age, gender, belief or other identity.

Visit Inclusive Commonwealth for more information and join in the celebrations with the hashtag: #InclusiveCommonwealth

Notes to editors

1. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission took over as Chair of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions in November 2015. The Commission will hold the role until 2017. Find out more about the work of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions in this short video: