Commonwealth leaders focus on global economy and human rights issues
Leaders of the Commonwealth group meeting in Australia discussed ways to tighten up on human rights abuses by members, as Queen Elizabeth II raises concerns over finance, food supply insecurity and climate change.
Opening the CHOGM – the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – in Perth, Australia, Queen Elizabeth said the meeting was the perfect opportunity to address ongoing global issues and find responses for those crises and challenges.
Following their initial discussions, the 54 states backed an internal report calling for a more proactive stance in defending human rights.
"That report and all of its reform proposals and recommendations, has been adopted ... It means that this meeting has already acted to embrace reform and strengthening of the Commonwealth," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard told reporters.
"The purpose of these reform proposals is to enable the Commonwealth to act when a country is veering off course in terms of democratic values and the rule of law, rather than waiting until a country has gone to a grossly unacceptable stage, and leaders only having the option of suspension or expulsion in front of them."
According to Reuters, a key suggestion in the confidential report is for the group to establish a human rights commissioner. An unspecified number of members are opposing the initiative.