ID :
213216
Fri, 10/28/2011 - 13:33
Auther :

Commonwealth to act early on human rights

SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 28 - Commonwealth governments in danger of violating human rights and the rule of law will face earlier intervention under a plan approved at a meeting of former British colonies in Australia.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd presented a report on Friday to the first session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on ways to deal with countries veering toward breaches of democratic values, as occurred in Fiji.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said all 35 reform proposals of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) report were adopted, which she described as CHOGM's first concrete action.
"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 options of suspension or expulsion in front of them," Ms Gillard told reporters after the CHOGM executive session.
"Already this CHOGM has dealt with some major reform proposals for the future working of the commonwealth."
Ms Gillard declined to comment on whether the decision meant a proposal flagged in an Eminent Persons Group report to set up a commonwealth human rights commissioner would not go ahead.
A number of countries - notably India, Sri Lanka, and many African nations - have played down the commissioner idea, saying it duplicates the role of United Nations officials and CMAG, and would cost too much.
Earlier, at a lavish opening ceremony at Perth's convention centre featuring Aboriginal dancers and Australian pop star Guy Sebastian, Ms Gillard told commonwealth leaders it was "time for renewal".
"Let us make CHOGM 2011 memorable ... for being the meeting that gave the commonwealth the direction it needed at a time of global uncertainty and risk," she said.
The Queen urged leaders to seriously consider the report of the Eminent Persons Group, which includes former Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby.
"I wish heads of government well in agreeing further reforms that respond boldly to the aspirations of today and that keep the commonwealth fresh and fit for tomorrow," the 85-year-old monarch said.
Her Majesty concluded by reciting an Aboriginal saying.
"We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through.
"Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love and then we return home."
The future of Fiji, which was suspended from the commonwealth after a military coup, will be discussed over the weekend at a CHOGM leaders' retreat.
Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who attended the opening, argued there should be a human rights commissioner, with the position of Commonwealth deputy secretary-general.
He also said if CHOGM agreed to having all nations regularly report on human rights violations, Australia would not perform very well.
Mr Fraser cited anti-terror laws, asylum seeker policy and the treatment of indigenous people as key failures in Australia.
Meanwhile, Perth's CBD was in lockdown as several hundred protesters began a sit-in at the edge of the CHOGM security zone.
The protesters' issues ranged from anti-nuclear, to human rights abuses in Africa and appeals for same-sex marriage laws.
The CHOGM will end on Sunday.




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