Advocating Human Rights with the Commonwealth

Advocacy and education are core elements of CHRI's approach towards engendering a culture of human rights in the Commonwealth. CHRI believes that the fullest realisation of the human potential is possible only in an environment characterised by transparency in governance and accountability in public life, fortified by an effective citizens' right to information about matters affecting their well being. In our advocacy efforts we remind Commonwealth countries to adhere to the standards for good governance and human rights that they have agreed to, particularly in the Harare Declaration.

CHRI advocates on human rights issues in Commonwealth countries. To view profiles of member countries, plus our periodic press statements and articles on issues of human rights concern, click here.

Our targets for advocacy within the Commonwealth include:

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

As the premier Commonwealth meeting, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) provides an opportunity to advocate to the Commonwealth to go further on its human rights commitments. We are always active participants in civil society events held at CHOGM and organise human rights events. The next CHOGM will be held in the Mediterranean island nation, Malta in 2005. To find out more about our advocacy activities at CHOGM 2003 and past meetings, click here.

Prior to every CHOGM, CHRI produces a report on human rights in the Commonwealth. Every report follows a different, critical theme related to human rights that both reflects and challenges the global debates on human rights. CHRI also makes recommendations on how the Commonwealth can implement its own human rights pledges. Click here to see our reports.

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group

CHRI advocated for such a group to be formed in its report to the 1995 CHOGM in Auckland where CMAG was then established. To find out more about CMAG and to view their declarations and our most recent submissions, please click here.

Periodic Commonwealth Committees and Meetings

From time to time groups are formed in the Commonwealth to investigate certain issues. These are usually formed at one CHOGM and report to the next. Details of recent groups and CHRI's submissions, can be be found here.

As well as the biennial Heads of Government Meeting, other Commonwealth government officials meet on a regular basis. These include Foreign Ministers, Women's Affairs Ministers, Law Ministers and more. Click here for more details.

Other international advocacy targeting Commonwealth countries

CHRI also targets Commonwealth countries through other events and avenues. This includes interventions directly in the country concerned, as well as through their membership of other associations, such as the United Nations and regional groupings.

From time to time, CHRI develops materials for particular strategic audiences. Click here to view a module on human rights for parliamentarians that CHRI developed for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. This tailor-made module for parliamentarians is composed of 10 individual units that cover basic information about human rights and the international and regional systems designed to protect them.