Commonwealth Charter

Commonwealth Charter
Name	Commonwealth Charter
Date signed	March 11, 2013
Location signed	London
Signatories	Commonwealth of Nations
Depositary	Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Commonwealth Charter is a document that outlines the core values and principles of the Commonwealth of Nations, an association of British and other dominion states. The charter was signed by Queen Elizabeth II on March 11, 2013, at Marlborough House in London, in the presence of Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and other dignitaries, including Prince Philip and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom. The charter is based on the principles of Harare Declaration and the Singapore Declaration, adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Harare and Singapore respectively. The charter also draws inspiration from the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights.

Introduction

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of sovereign states, most of which are former British colonies or dominions. The association has its roots in the British Empire, which was established by the United Kingdom and included territories such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The Commonwealth of Nations was formally established by the London Declaration in 1949, which was signed by Britain and seven other dominions, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Commonwealth of Nations has since grown to include 54 member states, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malaysia. The association is guided by the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, which was influenced by the UN and its Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the EU and its European Convention on Human Rights.

History

The idea of a Commonwealth Charter was first proposed by the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group, which was established by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in 2009. The group, which included prominent individuals such as former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser of Australia, and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, was tasked with reviewing the Commonwealth and making recommendations for its reform. The group's report, which was published in 2011, recommended the adoption of a Commonwealth Charter that would outline the core values and principles of the association. The report was influenced by the UN and its Millennium Development Goals, as well as the EU and its Lisbon Treaty. The Commonwealth Charter was subsequently drafted by a working group established by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, in consultation with member states and other stakeholders, including the UNDP and the World Bank.

Principles and Values

The Commonwealth Charter is based on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The charter also promotes the values of tolerance, respect, and understanding among member states, as well as the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection, as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The charter recognizes the importance of human dignity and the equality of all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The charter also promotes the principles of good governance and transparency, as well as the importance of civil society and the media in promoting democracy and human rights, as recognized by the UN and its Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression.

Key Provisions

The Commonwealth Charter includes several key provisions that outline the core values and principles of the association. The charter recognizes the importance of democracy and human rights, and promotes the values of tolerance and respect among member states. The charter also includes provisions on the rule of law, good governance, and sustainable development, as well as the importance of civil society and the media in promoting democracy and human rights. The charter also recognizes the importance of human dignity and the equality of all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The charter's provisions are influenced by the UN and its Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Adoption and Implementation

The Commonwealth Charter was adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government on March 11, 2013, at Marlborough House in London. The charter was signed by Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and other dignitaries, including Prince Philip and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom. The charter is a non-binding document, but it is intended to serve as a guide for member states in promoting the values and principles of the Commonwealth. The implementation of the charter is the responsibility of member states, which are expected to promote the values and principles of the charter in their domestic and international policies, as well as in their engagement with the UN and other international organizations, such as the EU and the African Union.

Impact and Significance

The Commonwealth Charter has significant implications for the Commonwealth and its member states. The charter provides a framework for promoting the values and principles of the Commonwealth, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The charter also recognizes the importance of sustainable development and environmental protection, as well as the principles of good governance and transparency. The charter's provisions are influenced by the UN and its Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The adoption of the charter demonstrates the commitment of member states to promoting the values and principles of the Commonwealth, and to working together to address the challenges facing the association, including poverty, inequality, and climate change, as recognized by the UN and its Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. The charter also has implications for the United Kingdom and its relationship with other member states, as well as for the EU and its relationship with the Commonwealth, as outlined in the Lisbon Treaty and the Treaty of Rome.

Category:International organizations