Latest content: Promoting Democracy

Commonwealth Observation Mission

Commonwealth Observer Group

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba

A Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) will observe Rwanda’s Legislative Elections scheduled for 16 – 18 September 2013, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has announced.

Theme: ‘Effective Solutions to Commonwealth Developmental Challenges’

Commonwealth Observer Group

The Group will be in Maldives from 31 August – 14 September 2013

Final Report

“The 11 May elections, represented a significant milestone for Pakistan, as one elected civilian government handed power to another, respecting the will of the people” - Commonwealth Secretary-General

The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, visited Maldives on 2-5 June 2013 to discuss recent developments, in the lead up to the Presidential election scheduled for 7 September 2013.

"I depart The Kingdom of Lesotho with the fervent hope that the assurances stakeholders gave that the transition process will be credible will be followed through, so that the will of the people is respected" - Dr Bakili Muluzi

Eustace Lake, Member of Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda gave a voice to the Commonwealth in a panel discussion at the 23rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today.

"The Commonwealth will continue to speak out internationally and to advocate on the interests of small island states" - Kamalesh Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today congratulated the people of Pakistan for successfully concluding the 11 May 2013 parliamentary elections, and pledged continued support from the organisation as the country consolidates its democracy.

Pakistan’s 2013 elections mark progress in terms of general framework, administrative arrangements and voter turnout, but high level of violence is a concern.

Arrival Statement

Commonwealth countries identify critical components for lasting peace after conflict

Participants at a Commonwealth roundtable on reconcilation from 1 to 3 May share their thoughts on garnering lasting peace after conflict

Forum brings together representatives from Government and Opposition parties and civil society from East Africa and is a tangible manifestation of the importance the Commonwealth places on the need to support and strengthen democratic culture in member countries

As we mark World Press Freedom Day today, 3 May, The Commonwealth once again reaffirms its firm commitment to a free and responsible press in promoting democracy, development and diversity.

Marlborough House, London

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to address press today, Friday, 26 April 2013 at 12 noon

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<li>The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its thirty-ninth meeting in London on 26 April 2013. </li>
<li>The meeting was chaired by Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. It was also attended by Senator the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Hon John Baird, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Hon AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Hon Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives; Hon Dr Samura Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Tanzania; Hon Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago; and Hon Nipake Edward Natapei, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu.</li>
<li>CMAG welcomed the recent adoption by Heads of Government, and signature by The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, of the Charter of the Commonwealth, encapsulating the core values and principles of the Commonwealth. It noted that the Charter reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment inter alia to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, freedom of expression, good governance, tolerance, respect and understanding and the role of civil society. As the custodian of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, the Group pledged to continue to promote these commonly agreed goals.</li>
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<p>The Group reviewed developments in relation to the country currently on its formal agenda, Fiji

25 April 2013 – The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), made up of nine foreign ministers, will meet at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on Friday 26 April 2013. CMAG will discuss political developments in Fiji since September 2012, when the Group last met in New York. Fiji remains fully suspended from the Commonwealth and on CMAG’s formal agenda.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides meets with Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma