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    October 27, 2011

Australia Warns Commonwealth Could Slide Into Irrelevance

   Phil Mercer | Sydney
   Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting in Perth, Australia, October 26,
   2011
   Photo: © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2011
   Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting in Perth, Australia, October 26,
   2011

   Australia is warning that the grouping of former British colonies - the
   Commonwealth - must become more modern and open or risk sliding into
   irrelevance. Commonwealth leaders are gathering in the Western
   Australian city, Perth, for a summit that is held every two years.
   Host of this years [1]Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting,
   Australia says the organization, which has been accused of being
   cumbersome and unwilling to make tough decisions, must become more
   relevant in a rapidly changing world.
   The government in Canberra says although the Commonwealth must go
   through a process of renewal, it still has an important role to play in
   global affairs.
   Shared history
   The grouping is bound by a shared history as former British colonies.
   It has more than 50 members across six continents, including Ghana,
   India, Tonga and Malaysia.
   Australian Special Minister of State Gary Gray says the alliance is as
   relevant as ever.
   'I think CHOGM has an enduring purpose. Anything that brings together
   50 or more of the world's prime ministers and presidents to engage in
   global issues - CHOGM represents every continent," Gray said. "CHOGM
   represents a multitude of global organizations from the G20, the G8,
   the African Union. It is an organization which is as cosmopolitan as
   our globe itself.'
   Comprehensive review
   Two years ago a comprehensive review of the Commonwealth was ordered by
   its senior members, to assess the organization's direction and purpose.
   It is expected to recommend the establishment of a charter of
   Commonwealth values and the appointment of commissioners for democracy,
   human rights and the rule of law.
   Analysts say the Commonwealth has often lacked authority in the past
   because of its preference for solving difficult issues quietly, behind
   closed doors.
   Leaks of the report published in an Australian newspaper claim the
   Commonwealth is plagued by organizational 'decay' that has allowed
   members to breach human rights and democratic conventions.
   Accountability
   Samuel Makinda, a professor of politics and international studies at
   Perth's Murdoch University, says the Commonwealth needs to become more
   accountable and brave.
   'People want more transparency," noted Makinda, "and transparency
   requires that the Commonwealth countries come out openly and criticize
   each other, if they believe they have gone off the road.'
   Although modernizing the organization will be a key focus of this
   year's summit in Perth, food security, gay rights and the status of
   women will also be on the agenda. Alleged human rights abuses in Sri
   Lanka are also expected to be discussed.
   Britain's Queen Elizabeth officially opens the Commonwealth Heads of
   Government meeting Friday.
   Although many Commonwealth members, such as South Africa and Pakistan
   are republics, others like New Zealand and Australia are constitutional
   monarchies, where the British queen is the head of state.

References

   1. http://www.chogm2011.org/home