Maja Daruwala, Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
Civil liberties award presented to human rights head
10 February 2010
Maja Daruwala of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative recognised for her “sterling efforts”
The Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has been presented with the 2009 Nani A Palkhivala Award for Civil Liberties.
This award recognises extraordinary efforts to preserve and defend civil liberties in India, where the CHRI’s headquarters is based.
“For all her achievements, her sterling efforts and work done both selflessly and entirely voluntarily, the Nani A Palkhivala Trust recognises and lauds this special Indian,” said the Trust’s Chairman, Y H Malegam.
Nani A Palkhivala Memorial Trust
It was set up in 2004 in memory of Nani A Palkhivala, an Indian jurist and activist, to promote democratic institutions, personal and civil liberties and rights.
He highlighted her accomplishments at the helm of the CHRI over the last 14 years, which include advocating the Right to Information Act for India and pushing for outdated policing systems in the Commonwealth to be modernised.
“Maja has long advocated that it is vital that democracies have policing systems that are answerable to the law and not to the persons in power,” Mr Malegam explained.
The CHRI is a non-governmental organisation which promotes the practical realisation of human rights throughout the 54 members of the association. It is one of some 90 organisations and associations that play crucial roles in policy, political or social acts of Commonwealth life.
“I am surrounded by very dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly to increase knowledge and understanding of human rights,” Ms Daruwala said. “I am proud that our work has been recognised through this award.”
Over the next few years the CHRI will continue strengthening its work in police reform, access to information, human rights advocacy and prison reform.
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