The Canadian Human Rights International Organization (CHRIO) celebrated last December 13 its tenth anniversary.

On December 13, 2003, was created a program dedicated to the education and the protection of human rights, as well as support and guidance to victims of basic human rights violations.

By overcoming financial barriers and location, and with large multiethnic human resources from all continents, CHRIO has consolidated itself as a large organization defending human rights at international levels.

Mario Guilombo, Director of human rights program, prepared a report, outlining CHRIO’S mission, vision, goals and achievements. Among the organization most important achievements are the support to more than fifteen thousand families who have been victims of human rights violations and CHRIO’S presence worldwide with over 100 missions in troubled nations such as Pakistan, Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico, among others.

Members of staff and volunteers of CHRIO who make this work possible received awards and recognitions.

CHRIO received recognition from the Honourable MP Judy Sgro, member of the Federal Parliament, Mario Sergio, Provincial MPP,  Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruza.

Among those in attendance were representatives from Pakistan: Shamim Piracha, Nigeria: Clemen Osawe, Peru: Pedro Valdez, Cuba: David Hernnadez; Venezuela: Juan Carlos Castillo, Salvador: Olga Umana, and more and founding members of the organization: Jonathan Whiteside, Liliana Angarita, Lilian Julieth Guilombo, Adriana Whiteside and Mario Guilombo.

The CHRIO family is working together so opportunities are not lost to remember its mentor Martin Luther King Jr. who once said:  “If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain.”