Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

15/05/2026

Your lens could tell a story the world needs to see. 📸

The Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition 2026 is open!

This year’s theme, Waves of Change, invites young photographers to showcase their connection to the ocean and waterways through powerful storytelling and creativity.

📅 Submit your photograph before on 8 June 2026: https://bit.ly/42MkIcJ

Categories include:
🔵 Human–Ocean Connection
🟢 Hope & Resilience
🔴 Threats & Challenges
🟡 Innovative Solutions

Organised in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society and the City of London Youth Natural Environment Board, the competition is open to all Commonwealth nationals or residents aged 18–30 and is free to enter.

Prizes will be awarded for each category, as well as for an overall winner. All winning photographs will have the opportunity to be displayed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting ( ) in Antigua and Barbuda in November.

Enter now: https://bit.ly/42MkIcJ

15/05/2026

The Commonwealth Foundation are inviting all Commonwealth citizens to submit a creative 'thread' to a global Commonwealth quilt. Artists and non-artists alike are encouraged to share their ‘thread’ via visual art (including paintings, digital art, illustrations, photography, short film, textile art etc.), Literary art (including poetry, prose etc.) or performing art (including song, music video, rap, dance, movement video, spoken word performance etc.) For more information see below.
The Commonwealth
Antigua and Barbuda CHOGM 2026

Ancestral thread. Common thread. Everyday thread. Mending thread.

Across the Commonwealth, invisible threads run through our lives, carrying memory, identity and change. Each one is different, but together they connect us.

What does your thread hold?

Reflect on the prompts in the slides and share your interpretation. Your piece will become part of the Commonwealth Quilt, a shared creative work shaped by voices across 56 nations.

Submissions close 9 June. Submit to the Commonwealth quilt here: https://commonwealthfoundation.com/how-to-make-a-commonwealth-quilt/

12/05/2026

Thank you to our Sport and Human Rights Working Group Chair, Michael Boyd of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for meeting with Dr. Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, to discuss strengthening the intersection of sport and human rights. They explored NHRI engagement, historical injustices, gender inclusion, safeguarding, and practical pilot opportunities around Glasgow and future Games. Grateful for Dr Rukare’s deep country-level experience and eager to progress concrete, non-partisan projects with the CFNHRI Working Group, The Commonwealth and partners.

31/03/2026

Congratulations to the Samoa Office of the Ombudsman/NHRI for a successful launch event in Geneva!

29/03/2026

Thank you to all the facilitators and participants who helped make our high-level dialogue in London a success!

Dr David Russell, CEO of the NIHRC, successfully facilitated a panel at today’s Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions high‑level dialogue in London on protecting civic space.

Thank you to our Commonwealth partners for the vital exchange — NIHRC remains committed to defending human rights, civic freedoms and democratic participation.

29/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15eZANEHvBZ/

26/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1a3AUpdCFT/

02/03/2026

Our new CFNHRI newsletter is out now! Read this edition to hear from our members and see what they are up to around the world.https://cfnhri.org/app/uploads/2026/03/CFNHRI-Newsletter-October-to-December-2025.pdf

27/02/2026

The Annual General Meeting of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions will be held in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday 2 April 2026. Mark your diaries now for this face-to-face and online event.

27/02/2026

CFNHRI members - Don't forget to save the date to join in on this important high level dialogue around 'Fulfilling a Human Rights Mandate in the Context of Shrinking Civic Space'. The event will be held both face-to-face in London and online on Thursday 26 March 2026. Please mark your diary now. More information will be sent you soon!