Harare Declaration

Harare Declaration. The Commonwealth of Nations adopted the Harare Declaration in 1989 at a summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, with the aim of promoting democracy, human rights, and rule of law among its member states, including United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India. This declaration was a significant step towards strengthening the Commonwealth of Nations and promoting its values, as outlined by Queen Elizabeth II and supported by Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and other prominent leaders. The declaration built upon the principles established by the Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and the Lusaka Declaration of the Commonwealth on Racism and Racial Prejudice, signed by Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, and other notable figures.

● Introduction

The Harare Declaration was a landmark document that reaffirmed the commitment of the Commonwealth of Nations to the principles of democracy, good governance, and human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed by United Nations members, including United States, Soviet Union, and China. The declaration was adopted at a time when many Commonwealth of Nations member states, such as South Africa, were transitioning from apartheid to democracy, with the support of African National Congress, led by Oliver Tambo, and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, founded by Albert Luthuli. The Harare Declaration was influenced by the ideas of prominent leaders, including Milton Friedman, Amartya Sen, and Joseph Stiglitz, who have written extensively on economics, politics, and social justice, and have been recognized with awards such as the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded by the Sveriges Riksbank.

● Background

The Harare Declaration was the result of a long process of consultation and negotiation among Commonwealth of Nations member states, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, which have been involved in various United Nations initiatives, such as the United Nations Development Programme, led by Gro Harlem Brundtland, and the United Nations Children's Fund, founded by Eglantyne Jebb. The declaration was influenced by the experiences of Commonwealth of Nations member states, such as Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania, which have undergone significant political and economic changes, with the support of International Monetary Fund, led by Christine Lagarde, and the World Bank, founded by John Maynard Keynes. The Harare Declaration was also shaped by the ideas of prominent thinkers, including Karl Popper, Isaiah Berlin, and Hannah Arendt, who have written extensively on philosophy, politics, and history, and have been recognized with awards such as the Erasmus Prize, awarded by the Praemium Erasmianum Foundation.

● Provisions

The Harare Declaration sets out a number of key provisions, including the promotion of democracy, human rights, and rule of law, as outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights, signed by Council of Europe members, including France, Germany, and Italy. The declaration also emphasizes the importance of good governance, transparency, and accountability, as embodied in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, signed by United Nations members, including Brazil, Russia, and China. The declaration commits Commonwealth of Nations member states to uphold these principles and to work together to promote them, with the support of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, led by Angel Gurría, and the World Trade Organization, founded by Peter Sutherland.

● Significance

The Harare Declaration is significant because it reaffirms the commitment of the Commonwealth of Nations to the principles of democracy, human rights, and rule of law, as outlined in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, signed by Organization of American States members, including United States, Canada, and Mexico. The declaration also provides a framework for Commonwealth of Nations member states to work together to promote these principles, with the support of European Union, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and the African Union, founded by Muammar Gaddafi. The Harare Declaration has been influential in shaping the policies and practices of Commonwealth of Nations member states, including India, South Africa, and Canada, which have been involved in various United Nations initiatives, such as the United Nations Environment Programme, led by Inger Andersen, and the United Nations Development Programme, led by Achim Steiner.

● Implementation

The implementation of the Harare Declaration has been a gradual process, with Commonwealth of Nations member states working to promote the principles of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in their own countries, with the support of International Labour Organization, led by Guy Ryder, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, founded by Julian Huxley. The Commonwealth of Nations has also established a number of mechanisms to support the implementation of the declaration, including the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which has been involved in various initiatives, such as the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council, founded by Duke of Edinburgh, and the Commonwealth Games Federation, led by Louise Martin. The declaration has been implemented in various ways, including through the establishment of independent judiciaries, free and fair elections, and human rights commissions, with the support of European Court of Human Rights, led by Robert Spano, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, founded by American Convention on Human Rights.

● Impact

The Harare Declaration has had a significant impact on the Commonwealth of Nations and its member states, including United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, which have been involved in various United Nations initiatives, such as the United Nations Peacekeeping, led by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, founded by Félix Schnyder. The declaration has helped to promote the principles of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Commonwealth of Nations member states, with the support of International Committee of the Red Cross, led by Peter Maurer, and the Amnesty International, founded by Peter Benenson. The declaration has also contributed to the development of a more cohesive and effective Commonwealth of Nations, with the support of Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Patricia Scotland, and the Commonwealth Foundation, founded by Queen Elizabeth II. The Harare Declaration has been recognized as a significant achievement by prominent leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr., who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded by the Nobel Committee.

Category:International relations