CPSU calls for further Commonwealth democracy reform

 

CPSU welcomes Commonwealth decision to strengthen democracy watchdog – but calls for further urgent action

The CPSU today welcomed the Commonwealth Heads of Government announcement that consideration be given to strengthening the role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to deal with serious or persistent violations of Harare Principles, which include democratic and human rights. 

At the same time the CPSU calls for further urgent reform – as set out in the report Democracy in the Commonwealth last week –if the Commonwealth is to be as robust as it needs to be in defence of its commitment to democracy.  

The Commonwealth Communiqué, agreed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and issued on Sunday 29^th November, said of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group - a committee of Ministers which is responsible for dealing with serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy: 

“Heads of Government agreed that consideration be given to strengthening the role of CMAG, in order to enable the Group to deal with the full range of serious or persistent violations of the Harare Principles”  

  Dr Victoria teVelde, Director of the CPSU said:  

“I welcome the CHOGM Communiqué’s reaffirmation of Commonwealth values and principles and the consideration on strengthening CMAG.  This decision needs to be the first step towards the major reform of the Commonwealth’s promotion of democracy urged by the report Democracy in the Commonwealth last week. 

This is a welcome response to one of the report’s twelve recommendations. I now hope the Commonwealth will consider and implement the rest of these proposals to further strengthen its ability to promote democracy.” 

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For Further information contact Mike Smith at mike.smith(at)sas.ac.uk or on 07714097409