Centre Human Rights and Development (CHRD) was formed following the decline of activities of the Movement for Inter - Racial Justice and Equality (MIRJE). Established in 1997 by a group human rights activists and lawyers for the protection and promotion of human rights, it is a non-profit making institution incorporated under the Registrar of Companies’ Act No. 17 of 1982. CHRD is governed by a Council of Governors comprising ten members and an Executive Secretary who is directly in charge of the organization.

CHRD was established during the height of the ethnic war, which counted for enormous human rights violations and abuse against ethnic minorities. Besides, CHRD identified arrests, detentions, disappearances and sexual violence which caused many political and socio economic problems in the country.

Since inception the Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) under the Legal Assistance Programme (LAP) has provided free legal services to the victims of human rights violations. Apart from providing legal services CHRD is carrying out a campaign for the abolition of PTA and social mobilization for a vibrant civil society

Coalition of Civil Society and Legal Aid are the major activities of the organization that has seen tremendous success. In order to continue the programme and take it to new level CHRD is seeking financial assistance.

The objective of CHRD primarily though not exclusively is to ensure protection of human rights of ethnic minorities -- indigenous Tamils, Indian Origin Tamils and Muslims. 

Overall Aims and Objectives

1. Foster greater understanding amongst different ethnic communities for better comprehension of each other's problems and to explore collectively opportunities for promoting human rights, welfare and development.

2. Stimulate public opinion to grow favourable towards establishing permanence of peace and prosperity for all communities in Sri Lanka.

3. Educating the general public to gain knowledge and formulate a better understanding on vital subjects like human rights, fundamental freedoms and of international instruments bearing upon them, by associating with any individual or group concerned with charity and educational work in the field of human rights training and intervention on behalf of gaining equity.

4. Collaborate with international organizations in their effort to protect human rights and civil liberty in society.

5. Promote development, research, training activities, and ethnic studies by furthering co-operation and exchange amongst concerned individuals, organizations and institutions.

6. Facilitate the flow of human rights information and access to documentation amongst human rights workers, organizations and institutions.

 Activities of CHRD

Since 2000, the Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) under the Legal Assistance Programme (LAP) has provided free legal services to political detainees, legal representation on behalf of aggrieved parties in landmark cases and legal intervention in ‘disappearance’ cases on behalf of the ‘disappeared’ victims’ families.

Apart from providing legal services CHRD intends undertaking a profound study on how an undemocratic piece of legislation like the PTA contributed to the gross violation of Human Rights in the country, through a series of seminars, workshops, analytical and thorough research and field investigations, etc.

Besides, the CHRD has launched a campaign for the repeal of the PTA. For the successful execution of this campaign, the CHRD will adopt various strategies to create an awareness concerning the undemocratic nature of the PTA. A research publication on the PTA and its horrendous effects was launched in early 2010. 

A sub office of the CHRD is located in Jaffna and its main role is to monitor the human rights situation in the peninsula and protect rights of the people by providing free legal aid services and awareness raising programmes.

During last 10 years, CHRD has launched a number of programmes to build capacity of the Civil Society groups to interact with State institutions for social and economic development through Human Rights based approach. Since 2006, the programme is renamed as ‘Coalition for Civil Society’. In the recent pass the programme has proved to be successful many cases have been taken up through this programme and incidents of human rights abuses have been reported.

The CHRD strongly believes that Human Rights and good governance form the foundation on which peace can be built and that providing services to the victims of Human Rights Violation is an integral part of the relief and reconciliation process.

Staff

A total of eleven staff members are attached to Colombo office and three staff personnel at the CHRD sub office in Jaffna & Vanni

Structures implementing CHRD programmes

1. Board of Governors

2. Committee of the LAP which consists of a panel of lawyers who actively practice at metropolitan and provincial levels.

3. Creation of a network of almost 200 CBOs and NGOs and activists in North, East and plantation sectors as well as Colombo.

Monitoring Mechanisms

The Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) would formulate an effective mechanism to monitor the progress of projects. The Programme Manager and the Legal Coordinator will monitor and evaluate projects by observing progress of the project. Annually a one day workshop will be held in all target areas to assess the progress of the projects.

Apart from it, the LAP committee, members of the Board of Governors and the consultant of the donor organization will monitor. Quarterly progress reports and financial reports will be submitted to the donor organization for evaluating the entire project. Annual Audit statement too will be submitted along with the yearly progress and financial report.

 Donors

CHRD has a number of donors providing financial support to our two main programmes comprising Legal Aid & Coalition of Civil Society Programme. While some are funding for certain activities in the programme others covering both programmes and administration costs of Jaffna and Colombo office.  ARD, Helvetas, NTT, CAFOD, CIDA, and NED currently support CHRD to carry out its activities.