Chin Human Rights Organization

Background information Founded in 1995, Chin Human Rights organization (CHRO) is a non-governmental non-profit organization legally registered in the United States. CHRO has been accredited with Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2018. Primarily based in exile since its founding, CHRO has established an in-country presence since 2013, and has championed indigenous peoples’ rights and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) as two key thematic areas of focus in Myanmar. In working towards its objectives, CHRO monitors, documents and reports on the human rights situation, provides capacity building through human rights training and education to empower individuals and communities affected by rights abuses, and conducts policy advocacy to improve human rights protection frameworks at the local, national and international levels. At the same time, the organization has built and empowered a strong network of rights-based organizations from across the country, and established good working relationships and trust with local communities and governmental institutions at both the local and national levels. After the coup in February 2021 in Myanmar/Burma, CHRO had to leave its offices, of which some were raided and confiscated by the SAC military. CHRO staff members now work from different places where they are currently residing. In order to meet changing needs & adapt to new operating and security environment following the February 2021 military coup, CHRO operations structure has been reorganized to reflect current situation and realities. Accordingly, CHRO has been restructured into two primary Divisions: Human Rights Division & Humanitarian Division to meet the dual challenges of human rights and humanitarian nature faced by the Chin people in northwest Myanmar.